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FOOD | HOME
| DEPT/ SAVINGS/ CREDIT | MISCELLANEOUS
| WEB-SITES
Here
are some great ways to save money on food, your home, debt-savings-credit,
and other areas of your life- including some great web sites- compiled
by the CCS of Southwestern Ontario.
FOOD
1)
Buy in bulk
2) Join a wholesale superstore. Some wholesalers charge up to 30-40%
less than retail.
3) Before you shop, look through your kitchen and refrigerator.
You may have some items hidden in your kitchen that you won’t
have to buy.
4) Use coupons. Clip coupons and combine them with in-store sales
5) If you’re using coupons to save money on things you don’t
normally buy, you’re not really saving money.
6) Don’t shop when you’re hungry. You might end up impulse
shopping.
7) Stock up on items that are on sale.
8) Watch the cash register. Count your change and check your receipt.
9) Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season.
10) Try reducing the amount of meat in your diet or cut it out completely.
You can get protein from other foods.
11) Drink plenty of water. Avoid soft drinks. It’s healthier
and cheaper.
12) Avoid eating out. If you do, go for lunch instead of dinner.
13) When eating out, avoid beverages, especially alcoholic beverages.
Try vegetarian dishes which are generally less expensive than meat-based
entrees.
14) Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season.
15) Instead of buying coffee at work or school, drink water. It’s
healthier and cheaper.
16) Keep water and snacks in the car so you won’t be tempted
to pull into a fast-food restaurant.
17) Become a vegetarian.
18) Grow your own fruits and vegetables in your own garden.
TOP
HOME
1)
Turn down the temperature on the water heater.
2) Hook up the washer only to cold water. This saves 90% of the
cost of washing.
3) Wash only full loads in the dishwasher and washer.
4) Dry only full consecutive loads in the dryer and keep filters
clean.
5) Low-flow showerheads claim to save families up to $250 per year.
6) Save receipts and send in warranties.
7) Do home repairs yourself with the help of How-To books.
8) Turn down the water pressure for bathroom and kitchen faucets.
9) Carpet and padding cut down on heat loss.
10) Close shades and drapes to keep heat in in winter and the sun
out in summer.
11) Try adding only half the clothes detergent recommended by the
manufacturer. You can also try this with dishwasher detergent.
12) Use a clothesline to dry clothes in your basement or outdoors.
13) Recycle items for different uses.
14) Use grocery bags for trash bags.
15) Buy energy efficient light bulbs.
16) Fix dripping faucets.
17) Use fans instead of air conditioners.
18) Buy used furniture or recover furniture you own.
19) Great bargains can be found at garage sales, thrift stores or
flea markets.
20) Cut your cable bill to the most basic package or cut it off
completely.
21) Have a garage sale or sell items in the classified ads.
22) Try shopping at wholesale warehouse outlets for household goods
and appliances. Examples: Price Club, Home Depot, Office Depot.
TOP
DEBT/
SAVINGS/ CREDIT
1)
Pay off your credit card balance in full each month. If you are
unable to pay off the entire balance, don’t use the card again
until it is paid off.
2) Check your credit rating. It is a record of how you are borrowing
and repaying credit. It’s your right to know. If you are planning
to apply for a large amount of credit such as a mortgage, see where
your credit rating stands.
3) Don’t use too many credit cards. Retail stores accept most
major credit cards so there really is no need to have their cards
as well. You may only need one card.
4) Have a certain amount of each paycheck deposited directly into
a savings account.
5) Try to put aside three to six months of income in case for emergencies.
6) Don’t buy anything on time…wait before you buy.
7) Make saving a challenge, a game.
8) Save all your change for an entire month.
9) Try not buying anything you absolutely do not need for a month.
See how much you’ve saved.
TOP
MISCELLANEOUS
1)
Take public transportation. Ride the bus or try carpooling to work
or school. Ask about a transit pass.
2) Use a bicycle or walk for short trips to the grocery or corner-store.
3) Try not to call long-distance during peak hours. Wait until late
in the evening or weekends to make those calls.
4) Do not shop at convenience stores.
5) Buy no-name items or store brands.
6) Quit Smoking.
7) Only shop once a week.
TOP
WEB-SITES
www.stretcher.com
-The Dollar Stretcher: a weekly money-saving column for families
www.coopamerica.org/pubs/realmoney/
-Socially and environmentally responsible saving tips
www.dulley.com
-Author of home money-saving books shows how to “save money
in an Earth-friendly manner”.
www.notjustbeans.com
-Money Saving tips and recipes for living frugally.
www.mommysavers.com
-Tips for mothers who want to live frugally. Articles, recipes and
links.
www.easyspreadsheets.com
-A mini-directory of Web sites that cover various concepts and ideas
on how to budget properly.
FOOD | HOME | DEPT/
SAVINGS/ CREDIT | MISCELLANEOUS | WEB-SITES
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