Like you, I'm trying to find ways to seal up the money leaks in our home. As a home keeper, and the one who spends most of the money (food, clothes, etc.) I feel a sense of responsibility to find every way to save. My motto is " if I save $$ then I make $$.
Check out these 7 Ways to Save $$ from Consumer Reports Money Lab . I am sure one of these will help you seal up at least one of those leaks
No. 1: Find Cheaper Auto Insurance
Average savings: $65
How to do it.
Start at the Web site of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and click on NAIC States & Jurisdictions to find your state's insurance department. Most provide comparative premium quotes based on standard customer profiles. If your state doesn't, you can get quotes from insurers by phone or over the Internet.
No. 2: Optimize Your Life Insurance Average savings: $110
How to do it.
Life-insurance premiums have dropped so dramatically since the 1990s, it will probably pay for you to replace a policy bought years ago with a comparable one. Get a physical checkup and follow your doctor's advice for shaping up before applying for a new policy. Get quotes and don't cancel your existing policy until you have a new one already in place.
No. 3: Shop Smart for Food Average savings: $200
How to do it.
Plan menus around sales on fresh poultry, fish, meat, dairy, and produce, and make use of leftovers. Avoid costly prepared meals. Try less-expensive store brands. Sign up for store discount cards. Stock up on sale-priced staples. Eat more low-priced, high-nutrition foods such as beans and potatoes, says Andrea Carlson, a USDA economist.
No. 4: Stop Paying Bank Fees Average savings: $25.
How to do it.
Bank at a large institution with lots of ATMs in convenient locations to avoid the cost of using other banks' machines—as much as $4 per withdrawal. And use the no-fee cash-back option at supermarkets.
No. 5: Call Up Phone Savings Average savings: $35
How to do it.
Peruse your last few months' phone bills to assess how many minutes you typically use on landline and wireless calls. Comparison shop among cellular service providers, the local phone company, independent long-distance carriers, and your cable TV company. Don't buy more than you need, such as an unlimited cellular plan if you rarely go over 900 minutes per month.
No. 6: Pay Off Your Credit Card Average savings: $65
How to do it.
Paying off your balance is easier said than done. The trick is to stop charging. Then pay more than the minimum required each month until it's paid off. Dig up cash for this from your U.S. Treasury stimulus check, garage sales, or extra work part-time.
No. 7: Increase Your 401(k) Contribution Average tax savings: $125
How to do it.
If you're not already contributing the maximum, put more into your 401(k), IRA, or other tax-deferred retirement account. You'll also cut the amount of income tax you'll pay each month. (Note that this does not apply to Roth accounts.)
In these days of economic uncertainty, how do you save money?
Here's a list of savvy Moms who are sealing up leaks on their home fronts:
Stephanie at Keeper of the Home has a WHOLE BUNCH of fantastic frugal posts.
Amy at Mom Advice shows you one way here.
Lindsay with Passionate Home Keeping here.
Crystal's Money Saving Mom has money saving tips for a move.
Meredith at Like Merchant Ships has 5 Lessons on Frugality- How to Live Well on Less.
4 comments:
This is such a great list, Lylah! I am all about learning how to make my dollars scream a little bit more!
Thanks so much for the link and all of your sweet comments!! ((Hugs))
Hi Amy - You ARE one of the top frugal queens and I applaud you and send you 'net' roses. Keep up the good work.
BTW - your little guys is just too cute!
Great tips! I think we all could do at least one of these!
Yes! i think we could do at least one or two or three...and did you hear that us USA-ers have used less gas this year than we did this same time last year! YES!
thanks for stopping by!
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