A dollar doesn’t seem like much money these days. But wouldn’t it be nice to have an extra 365 bucks in your pocket? If you were able to save just one dollar every day for a year, that’s exactly what you would have. Here are 50 tips that will show you ways to save one dollar (or more).
1. Instead of buying a soda pop from the machine or convenience at your lunch break, stock up on a 12-pack from the grocery store.
2. Don’t do snack size munchies. Buy full-size packages of potato chips, pretzels, and cookies and distribute them into your own baggies.
3. Read your local newspaper online, rather than purchasing one at the newsstand. Like to physically flip the pages? Purchase a subscription and save.
4. Same thing with magazines. Subscriptions will save you a bundle. Or borrow for free from your local library.
5. Quit smoking! Not only will you save the money you would normally spend on cigarettes, your health care costs will also decrease.
6. Stop buying those lottery tickets. Have you actually won anything big, ever?
7. Purchase deliciously aromatic, fresh ground coffee at the grocery store and make yourself a cup to go in the morning. Drive right past Starbucks.
8. Brown bag your lunch once or twice a week.
9. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. You’ll get better gas mileage and save moola.
10. Use your bank’s ATM so that you don’t get hit with fees.
11. Pay bills online so you don’t have to buy stamps.
12. Call long distance using your cell phone during free night or weekend hours.
13. Pay bills on time to avoid late fees.
14. Wait a while after the premier and catch the movie at the $3 cinema. Skip the popcorn!
15. Alternately, rent a video instead of catching a flick at the theater.
16. Or borrow movies from the library or friends for free and make homemade snacks!
17. Make sure doors and windows in your home are properly sealed to keep cooled or heated air from escaping.
18. Clip and use grocery store coupons.
19. Check the local coupons that come in the mail for services and products such as car washes and pizza deliveries.
20. When your doctor writes you a prescription, ask that a lower-priced generic be allowed, if available.
21. For long-term medication, consider mail-order prescriptions which are generally purchased in 3-month increments for about the same as a one or two month supply.
22. Cancel premium cable TV channels. (They play the same movies over and over anyway!)
23. Or, make note of which channels your family watches most. Consider cutting down to barebones basic cable, or cancelling the service altogether.
24. Have friends or family over for a nice dinner at home rather than eating out. Hint that next time you go to their place!
25. Eat one vegetarian meal each week.
26. Make popcorn to munch in front of the TV. Pop it up in a hot air popper, in a brown lunch bag in the microwave, or the old fashioned way, on the stove with a little oil (don’t forget to put a lid on the pan!). The kids will be fascinated.
27. Map your errands to save on gas.
28. Trek to run errands that are within walking distance. Great for saving gas and boosting your health!
29. Install fluorescent lights. Not only do they use less energy, they also last longer than traditional bulbs.
30. Lower the temperature on your hot water heater to a safe 110 to 120 degrees.
31. Dry a load of laundry on the clothesline.
32. Bake from scratch. Homemade is cheaper and tastes so much better than store bought.
33. Use less shampoo, dish soap, hand soap, etc. than you think you need. You can always add more and chances are you are using too much. Oh, and don’t bother “rinsing and repeating!”
34. Shop at dollar stores for everything from snacks to greeting cards to household items.
35. Be a good driver. Tickets mean fines and higher insurance, not to mention possible injuries!
36. Raise your insurance deductible and lower your premium.
37. Shop at thrift and consignment stores for clothing for the whole family. You’ll be amazed at your great finds! And if you can’t get past the idea that the items are used, consider all the other people who have tried on that department store outfit before you bought it.
38. Change air filters every month. Your heater or air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to do the job.
39. Use cloth towels and napkins instead of paper ones.
40. Start a small garden growing something your family loves. Even apartment dwellers can have container gardens. Enjoy fresh produce for a fraction of the supermarket cost and take pleasure in a new hobby!
41. Just don’t have the time or energy to garden? Find a farmer’s market and support local growers while you save cash.
42. Rotate your tires and they’ll last longer.
43. Change your oil regularly and you’ll be rewarded with a long-lived engine.
44. Empty your trunk of any non-necessities and get better gas mileage.
45. Watch for free entertainment events put on by city agencies, churches, and schools. Take the whole family!
46. Have a wee one? Try using cloth diapers half of the time.
47. Stock up on great deals, but only buy what you’ll actually use. Nobody needs 57 cans of chicken noodle soup on hand.
48. Check out bakery outlet stores for great deals on breads, snacks, and more.
49. Don’t window shop. If you aren’t tempted, you won’t spend.
50. Vinegar and baking soda have hundreds of uses. Vinegar can be used for everything from fabric softener to soap scum remover to dishwasher additive. Baking soda will clean the microwave, freshen the fridge, even scour the sink.
Try a few, a bunch, or all of these tips and before you know it you’ll have a dent in your debt, a wad in your wallet, and dough in your dowry!
