- Conserve approximately 50% monthly on convenience cleaner fabrics by cutting them into half, i.e. dryer conditioner fabrics, deal with cleanser fabrics, etc. Cost savings:$ 5 monthly
- Find more thoughtful presents and purchase when the product is on sale, purchase birthdays and holidays throughout the year not at the time of the events. Cost savings: $10 monthly
- Bring your lunch to work once a week instead of eating in restaurants. Cost savings: $7 x 4 weeks = $28 monthly
- Do not go to the coffee bar on the weekends. Cost savings: 2 check outs @ $2 = $4 weekly x 4 weeks = $16 monthly
- If you carry a balance on your credit card, and you’re only able to manage paying the minimum monthly amount, pay weekly installations instead of one monthly payment. If you owe $100 per month, pay $25 per week. Since credit card companies accrue interest daily on your balance, paying only once a month is a big hinderance to your financial health. Cost savings: $10 – $100 monthly (or more!).
- Instead of a household night out, consider having an old style picnic together or a bike excursion. Suppressing entertainment costs doesn’t suggest suppressing the fun. Cost savings: $25+ monthly.
- Spend a day cooking meals that can be frozen for later use for your family. Once a Month Cooking, a book by Mary Beth Lagerborg and Mimi Wilson, includes grocery lists and dishes to prepare and freeze a month’s worth of food for you and your family. Not only are you able to buy the food wholesale, this approach avoids having to throw away any spoiled food. Cost savings: $50+ monthly.
- If you are a regular monthly book buyer, stop the routine and visit your library instead! If you insist on buying books, purchase it used at your local store or online at merchants such as www.half.com or www.amazon.com. Cost savings: $5 – 15 monthly.
- Use cheaper gas. If you live in North America and have Internet access, you have the ability to search for the most affordable gas rate in your area with Gas Buddy, www.gasbuddy.com. Cost savings: $5 – 15 monthly.
- Utilize two-for-one vouchers when eating in restaurants; search for these in local newspapers, leaflets, and in your “junk mail.” If you are a group of four or more individuals, consider buying dining certificates at Restaurant.com, www.restaurant.com. After choosing your city and state on the Website, you will given a listing of dining establishments competing for your dining dollar! Cost savings: $5- $50 monthly.
Extra tip: When devices break, you do not really need to buy original equipment manufacturer parts. There are several high quality replacement parts created by specialty manufacturers that many times are much better than the original and less costly. This is one company that makes restaurant equipment replacement parts: