Mar 19 | Money Saving Tips
Inspired by my post on 10 painless ways the Tightwad Gazette saves $100 each year, I thought I would post 9 ways that we in the Simply Frugal household save at least $100 a year. It really doesn’t have to be difficult! Painless actually.
1) Shop the sales, compare prices
When we’re on the market for something in particular. We take the time to do our research. We make sure we’re getting the most bang for our buck, especially when it’s a big ticket item. Sure it takes a little bit of effort but it’s in line with my staying debt free philosophy.
2) Pack our lunches every day
This is easy for me to do since I make sure to make plenty of dinner in order to save some for our lunches. I love having a hot lunch everyday!
3) Stay home more
One of my favorite ways to save money! Check out this post that outlines 16 Ways to Be Happier at Home.
4) Meal planning
Well I don’t think I need to repeat why I love meal planning. You can go here to read more about my views on this subject. 🙂
5) Make coffee, hot chocolate at home
Sure, I really enjoy the occasional Starbucks or Tim Horton’s coffee, but I also enjoy staying in my pajamas longer and making coffee at home. I actually try to keep on hand, some homemade coffee cream. Delicious!
6) Use the library instead of buying new books
I love the library! Our library system is great, I think! There are several branches in my surrounding area that makes it possible to request almost any book that I may desire to read. Here are some other ways the library can save you money.
7) Use coupons
Yep, I love coupons! I just recently saved myself $20 on Olay products by combining sales and coupons. I got 6 Olay products completely free! (Here’s a whole series I wrote on Couponing in Canada)
8) Think before I buy
This is a big one. I used to be quite the impulse buyer. If it was a good sale, I’d buy it even if I didn’t need it. But in my quest to lead a simpler life with less stuff, I always ask myself if I can afford it, if it’s worth dusting, packing up for a move, or if I really love it, before I make the purchase.
9) Cut my husband’s hair at home
I think every time I cut his hair we’re saving at least $20! And he needs his hair cut more often than I do 🙂
There you have my list of ways I save at least $100 a year. I hope to discover more ways that work for my family over the years to come!
What are some frugal things that you do that save you at least $100 a year? What are some frugal things that you used to do but should probably start doing again?
Mar 17 | Money Saving Tips
ou’ve heard of The Complete Tightwad Gazette? It’s full of great money saving tips! Among the articles, there’s Amy’s list of 10 Painless Ways to Save $100 This Year. I thought it would be fun to list the 10 point then compare how we’re measuring up in our life to her suggestions:
1. Purchase 10 articles of clothing at thrift stores and yard sales this year instead of paying department store prices.
I really need to do this more often. Although I always go straight for the sale rack in a retail store, I’ve often found great items in a thrift store in nearly new condition! My mother in law finds clothing all the time with the tags still attached even.
2. Hang four loads of laundry per week instead of using your dryer.
I’m guilty of not doing this either! I will occasionally hang clothes in the summer months as it’s not very feasible to do all year round here. We also live in a condo and not supposed to have clothing hanging outside.
3. Once a month make a pizza from scratch instead of having one delivered.
I actually do this! I find it’s very economical to make any bread dough from scratch, pizza dough included.
4. Write a good letter instead of making a monthly long distance phone call.
I think this suggestion is a bit outdated. (book was written in the early ’90s) Email is what I use!
5. Reduce your soda consumption by four cans per week.
We hardly drink pop. I never buy it at the grocery store. We’ll occasionally drink it at a restaurant but most of the time it’s water.
6. Bake one batch of bread (two loaves) per week.
Yup, do this too! I switch it up between a loaf of bread or buns. I also don’t do this every week as my husband is the only one that eats bread. (Well, I do eat a little bit, it’s just not my thing)
7. Save $50 each on two children’s birthday parties by making homemade decorations, cake, wrapping paper, and one present.
Since we don’t have children yet, I’m saving a lot! But, I have a feeling that I’ll want to bake a cake myself when that day arrives since I enjoy that sort of thing!
8. Reduce your smoking by three cigarettes per day (or give up smoking altogether and save even more.)
Not applicable to us.
9. Reduce your whole milk consumption by two gallons per week, substituting dry milk in cooking, homemade cocoa mix, and in half and half for drinking.
Well, I buy 1% milk each week in a 4 liter jug which lasts just over a week in our household. I do use powdered milk in a few of my recipes but I do find it expensive and it does not appeal to me for drinking purposes!
10. Pack four inexpensive school lunches per week.
We pack our work lunches everyday. I always make plenty of dinner so that we can have a hot lunch the next day.
Inspired by Amy’s list, I’m going to be sharing my list of how we save at least $100 a year in the very near future. So stay tuned! What would your list say?
The point of this post was to say that it only takes one small thing to begin saving money. A penny saved is a penny earned! It’s easier to cut back on a luxury than to look for a raise or more work. It doesn’t matter how much money we make. What does matter is that we know how to wisely steward the money we earn.
