How to: Cut costs/ Save Money

[California Sunshine]

Gas prices are hitting eye-bugging new highs and most of us can't afford it. This article will help you decrease your visits to the pump while simultaneously helping the environment. There are three basic approaches: working with what you've got, buying a different vehicle and using somebody else's vehicle. No, we're not talking about borrowing your friend's car! Read on for the details.

WORKING WITH WHAT YOU'VE GOT

General hints:


Use a sunshade. A cooler car requires less air conditioning.
For the same reason, park in the shade when it's warm.
Roll down a window instead of using your air conditoner.
Clear your car of junk. Extra weight uses up gas.
Fill up when it's cooler. Heated fumes create more ozone.
Don't use premium fuels unless your car requires them.
Don't top off your tank. The excess is lost as fumes.
In winter, use a block heater to pre-warm your engine.
Combine trips. Cold engines use more gas than warm ones.
Try to avoid peak traffic times.
Get an update before you leave to avoid sitting in traffic


Driving style:


Don't pump the gas pedal before starting your car.
Make sure that your parking brake is fully released.
Don't floor the pedal when accelerating from a stop.
Conversely, brake gradually wherever possible.
Don't ride the brake. Try for a smooth, constant speed.
Use cruise control and/or overdrive during highway driving.
Don't exceed the speed limit. It wastes gas.
If safe, turn off the car when idling more than 30 seconds.
Save gas by single-handedly dissolving traffic jams!

Maintenance
(Proper disposal of used items is important for our environment!):


Keep your tires properly inflated. Check them every 2 weeks.
Rotate your tires regularly.
Replace worn tires.
Get regular tune-ups.
Get regular oil changes per your owner's manual.
At the same time, check your air and fuel filters.
Make sure your gas cap fits tightly.
Keep your transmission fluid at the proper level.
See a mechanic if smoke is coming from your tailpipe.
Ensure that your cooling system thermostat is working properly.
Fix a slipping transmission immediately.
Pre-1994 vehicles use CFCs for cooling. Avoid A/C leaks.


Gadgets:

There are a number of devices that claim to improve gas mileage. Some remove carbon deposits in your engine for more efficient combustion. Others maximize the atomization of fuel for better combustion. We have no personal experience with these, but they may be worth looking into.

[Dale'sforever]

Thanks for sharing the article Cali!

[California Sunshine]

Woo Wee I sure need this How To!!


Breaking the credit card habit is very difficult. You can do it, however, with a healthy dose of dedication and perseverance.


Steps:
1. Discard credit card offers received in the mail. Shred or tear up the offers - to keep them from being used fraudulently by anyone else - and throw them out.

2. Discern between luxury and necessity, then cut back on credit card use for luxuries.

3. Commit to paying bills in full each month or to not using credit cards at all.

4. Throw out one credit card a month until you're down to a couple of manageable ones.

5. Use cash instead of plastic.


Tips:
If you stop using a credit card, it won't be canceled unless you call the company and request cancellation.

Debtors Anonymous has local chapters all over the country for addicted overspenders.

Keep credit cards somewhere other than in your wallet.


Warnings:
Resist the temptation to pay off one credit card with another.

Avoid withdrawing cash using your credit card. The transaction fees are high, and interest begins accruing immediately.

Avoid using the checks that are issued by credit card companies. These checks are treated just like cash withdrawals, meaning there are transaction fees and high interest rates.

[David]

Good reading.. Thanks for posting it.

[California Sunshine]

Found this online :
You'll save more electricity by dealing with the biggest electricity-guzzlers rather than worrying about items that don't use much electricity.

It's more important to turn off your air conditioner (600-3500 watts) than the radio in your alarm clock (5 watts). Put another way, turning your a typical air conditioner off for an hour saves as much electricity as turning your clock radio off for two weeks. (Not that you probably had your radio running constantly anyway.) With that in mind, you'll first want to address the big energy users in your home first, such as:




Here's how much various strategies can save you. We assume a cost of 10¢/kWh.

First $ amount is up front costs Second $ amount is savings per year

(1) Using space heaters to heat only the rooms you're in, rather than a central system that heats the whole house, and turning off the heat when you're not home.
$80 $1152
(2) Using ceiling fans instead of the air conditioner
~$100, if you don't already have ceiling fans $625
(3) Use a clothesline or a laundry rack instead of a dryer
~$20 $150
(4) Washing laundry in cold water instead of hot
none $119
(5) Washing laundry in warm water instead of hot
none $60
(6) Using a spin dryer to dry your clothes
$130 $97
(7) Replacing regular light bulbs with compact fluorescents
$32 $92
(8) Stop watching TV
$0 $82
(9) Replace 1990 fridge with 2004 model
$460+ $45
(10) Replacing a CRT computer monitor in a home office with an LCD display
$300+ $21

[California Sunshine]

More tips :

You can save up to 75% on your electric bill by investing in fluorescent light bulbs and replacing your regular light bulbs with them.
Someone told me they heard that you could reduce your heating bill by 2% for each degree that you lower your thermostat from the norm. I don't know if I believe it but I'll ask my Mom. She always kept the thermostat at 59 degrees. I slept in a snowsuit! BRRR.

Put a timer next to the phone to control phone calls, long distance and teenagers alike. You know what I mean.

Find out what long distance carrier is best for your particular calling habits by going to this site.

Audit your phone bill as well as your other utility bills. The big boys DO make mistakes!

This is a dirty trick but I have people who tell me they do it all the time. They call people long distance (like their Mom) when they KNOW that person isn't home. They leave a message on their answering machine. The person then calls them back on their dime. Saves the messenger the long distance costs! Viola!

I do recognize the fact that many people own cell phones, so here's a tip: Avoid ruining your Ni-Cad battery by never charging them for longer than eight hours. Them batteries ain't cheap!

Run your dryer and other items during off peak hours (like the middle of the night) when power usage is often cheaper. Investigate your utility company to see if this could reap a bigger savings for you.

Use the air dry or overnight dry option on your dishwasher. This can cut 10% of your dishwashing costs.

In winter, your dryer puts warm air (usually moist) into the outdoors. Why not filter that hot air into the home? You can only do this in a dry home typically or condensation will form indoors, but it is effective. I did it for the first time in my home this year. It's like the Sahara Desert in my house so I saved on not only heating costs but also the cost of a humidifier I had almost bought.

Cooking in the microwave is frugal. Bottom line. Wisconsin Power and Light found that in 85% of cooking tasks, a microwave can cut your energy costs by 50% or more! This works best when cooking foods that are small in quantity and low in moisture.

[California Sunshine]

Everyone please feel free to post all tips and tricks on saving money here

[California Sunshine]

Saving money is a concept similar to losing weight — most of us want to do it, but seldom implement concrete activities that will bring success. Here are some ideas to spark "creative" saving.

First realize that small steps can yield significant dividends. Learn to put 10% of your spending money away first, even if it's just 10% of your pocket change. Over time, small amounts compound and you will be more secure in your ability to handle an unexpected expense. You won't even miss it! I recently tried this with my "walking around" money each week. I take $4 out of my money as soon as I receive it — and amazingly enough, didn't notice a shortfall at the end of the week. $4 is not much, but I now have nearly $100 tucked neatly away!

So how do you trim 10% from an already stretched budget? Here are some ideas:

• Cut out one trip to a fast food restaurant. Even if all you order is a soda, you're still spending $1.00! An average trip (in my family's habits) would be $4 for mid-afternoon snacks. That amount represents 10% of the cash I carry with me weekly. Just eliminating that one trip once a week accomplished one of my goals.

• Serve one "frugal" meal a week. Whether you offer soup and bread or rice and beans, one frugal meal a week can yield another $5 to $10 dollars. And in most cases, your family will easily accommodate for one meal!

• Stay at home one day a week. I have to admit, I'm not adept at this. But consider the savings: gas money for even just 10 miles of driving would be $1.00. There's no opportunity to yield to small "impulse" purchases (even a pack of gum adds 89 cents!). By staying home you limit exposure to attractive "wants" — new clothes, items at the mall, even extra food at the grocery store. And finally, the additional time spent at home can be reinvested into productive time, which may add to your income or savings overall.

• Just this time, leave the general purpose cleaner on the shelf at the grocery store. Try vinegar and water, as well as baking soda for scrubbing. Dilute a little bleach for your shower. Savings? $4 on the average. You may choose not to return to your favorite lemon-scented cleaner.

• Use 10% less. If you can stretch your shampoo and conditioner, laundry soap, dishwashing detergent etc. just by 10%, you will meet your weekly savings goal!

• Take a shower that's 10% shorter!

• Change brands. Prices fluctuate up and down so check often when you don't have a brand loyalty.

• Try the town and church libraries before the bookstore just 10% more often!

None of these ideas will set the financial world on its heels. But applied consistently, they will yield a "cushion" of spare change that can accumulate over time! And like magic, once you've committed to trying a few ideas, you'll find yourself thinking of new money-savers every day. So set a reasonable goal — "I want to pay for our hotel bill at Disney" — and go for it! And let us hear about your success!

[~BabyG~]

Try using STP gas treatment when your gas tank is empty. Re-fill the tank! Is should give you better gas mileage!

[California Sunshine]

Coupon Savings

Coupons can save you hundreds of dollars a year.
Smart shoppers take the time to look for, cut out, file, and use coupons on a regular basis. You may be surprised how much money you can save in the long run.
Coupons are easy to use when organized efficiently. Coupons should be put into groups such as cereals, fruit, pizzas, paper goods, pet food, baby needs, and anything else that you shop for frequently. With this strategy, you can easily plan to save money each time you make your grocery list.

Simple rules for smart shopping:


Always check the prices of similar brands. Another brand may be less expensive even with the coupon. Don't buy the brand-name item just to use the coupon.

If your retailer doubles the face value of your coupons on a certain day, plan to do your major shopping on that day.

Always shop with a list and the appropriate coupons based upon what your family uses the most.

When filing your coupons, put those with the earliest expiration dates in front so you won't forget about them.

You can really save if you combine the SALE with the coupons!

How to store your coupons:

You can organize your coupons in an orderly manner for half the cost of an off-the-shelf organizer.


Simply buy a 3 - 4 inch three ringed binder and about a dozen plastic baseball card sheets. You can put tabs on the sheets to identify different categories of coupons.
Seek out your coupons online and you're sure to save time.

No more are the days when you had to scour the newspaper, search for usable coupons, clip each one individually, and then sort them so that they could be easily found. No sireee. We live in a digital world. Using coupons can be as simple as typing in a code upon checkout at your favorite online retailer. This is known as a "coupon code," or a "promotional code."

[California Sunshine]

Recycling Tips
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Kleenex boxes - Store plastic grocery store bags in them. You can then grab the bag just like you grab a tissue out of the box.


2. Envelopes - Carefully open the envelope and turn it inside out, so the address is on the inside. Re-glue or tape the flaps down. Or make your own envelopes out of scraps of paper, wrapping paper, newspaper, old phone book pages, or wallpaper scraps (see below).


3. Happy Meal boxes - Save the boxes, and when your child needs to be cheered up, make them their own happy meal! Add your own nutritious foods and a favorite toy. Or pick up inexpensive items from the dollar store: stickers, special pencils, etc (usually 10 for a dollar) as the toy.


4. Ziplock bags - Wash and rinse bags, then store them in the freezer to prevent mildew.


5. Tennis ball - Split it and hide your valuables inside.


6. Coffee cans (big ones) - Make toy "stilts"! Poke holes (with a can opener) on either side of the can and thread a jumprope through and they can walk on the cans while holding the jumpropes. Cool!


7. Egg cartons - Use to make seed starter trays. If you use the heavy cardboard trays, you can compost the cardboard when you pop the seedling out, or you could bury it next to the seedling to decompose. Use to make extra ice cubes or to freeze soup stock and gravy.


8. Old clothes - Use to make quilts, pillows, and blankets. Always save the buttons.


9. Broken candles - Melt them down to make new candles. Add broken crayons for color.


10. Nylon mesh bags from veggies - Cut the mesh into several pieces and use for plastic scouring pads to clean your dishes.


11. Used dryer softener sheets - Use for dusting instead of the Pledge grab-it or Swiffer cloths. Impossible to clean pots and pans - fill with water and used sheet, let sit for awhile, and stains will be easier to clean. Great for removing soap scum from shower doors!

12. Old pillow cases - Use for laundry bag.


13. Empty paper-towel roll - Store extension cords inside.


14. Frisbees - Use as paper plate holders at a picnic.


15. Mouse Pads - Use as a paint pallet. Use acrylic, oils, or most any paints. Wash when done, and reuse!


16. Newspaper - Use to clean windows, line trash cans, wrap presents. Use in place of peanuts when mailing packages, as fire starter, or as garden mulch.


17. Shoulder Pads - Use them to make padded hangers. Just sew a pad on each end of the hanger.


18. Wallpaper books/samples - Use to make book covers, decorative envelopes, or wrapping paper. Or make your own beautiful envelopes: take apart any envelope you have, and trace the pattern onto the back side of the wallpaper, then fold and glue or tape.


19. Film canisters - Store small items such as buttons, sequins, and small nails.



20. Soap scraps - Mix with water to make soap jelly. Put in sock, mesh, or used pantyhose to use in bath or for scenting drawers.


21. Pantyhose - Use for ponytail holders, to secure plants, or buffing your shoes.


22. Coffee filters - Use to clean and polish, or as a replacement for cheesecloth, paper towels, and napkins.


23. Glass jars & bottles - Use as a vase, for canning, or melt and pour wax in for candles.


24. Plastic grocery bags - Donate to local Salvation Army. They deliver meals on Wheels to elderly and are a non profit organization and need bags to put food in to deliver.


25. Plastic jugs - Cut out the side to make a big scoop or garden shovel, cut off the top and use as a funnel, fill with water and freeze to use in coolers, or cut off top and use bottom to store toilet brush.


26. Baby food jars - Fill with salt or cornmeal and use for paperweight, use for crafts, and for storing small items. Use for Use for individual Jar Mix Gifts: 1 cup of coffee mix, 1 cup of hot chocolate mix, or 1 cup of tea. Decorate jar, glue on ribbon, and attach gift tag with instructions.


27. Broken crayons - Sort by color, melt in old can, pour into molds that come with Jello gigglers, then kids have new crayons in all diferent shapes. **Thanks Susie!


28. Socks - Use in crafts, to hold soaps, or to wash car.


29. Milk cartons - use for potting plants, or fill with water and freeze to make blocks of ice.


30. Soap Wrapper - Place it inside your shoe cabinet or shoe box. It's a cheap way of filling the air with a nice smell.


31. Pill Bottles - Use to carry pins, vitamins, or fill it with vaseline to use as lip gloss.


32. Junk Mail - Put it through paper shredder and use as packing material when shipping gifts.

[Kissymissy]

Cali, you are the coolest gal around here. I never thought a space heater in one room or upgrading my fridge could save me so much money.
And all the recycling tips are awesome.

Thanks for all the money saving tips, Lord knows we can use them.

[DaveMoff]

This is not exactly a money-saver, but try: www.startsampling.com . They have a variety of stuff available at no charge and it changes constantly. I've gotten a number of oddball "sample" items and at least half a dozen free magazine subscriptions from them over the past couple of years.

Sign up with Pinecone Research, which will ask you do online surveys and pay you $5 a pop (often several times a month). Sometimes you will be offered a sample of the product being surveyed to evaluate. I have gotten lawn fertilizer, cat litter, deodorant, laundry detergent, and I forget what else from them.

And if you want to save gas, forget gimmicks--just pretend there is an egg between your foot and the accelerator pedal and determine not to crush it. Change your oil regularly and make sure your air filter is clean. I recently changed an air filter that had been left in too long and gained at least 5 MPG, which at current prices will pay for the filter after about three tanks of gas.

[distraughtmothe]

I just discovered this site and you guys are da bomb!!!

I loved reading your ideas to save money.

I can think of a few ideas that maybe have not been posted. I might be repeating someone elses ideas since I am new, but here goes.

COOKING: Instead of buying very expensive dried celery leaves in the can for $4, buy celery with leaves attached, wash thoroughly, pinch off the leaves, put on a plate to dry with a paper towel over and under them. I sometimes put them in the microwave, but they stick to the plate. Store in a plastic bag to add to soup or casseroles that call for celery.

COUPONS: Use a shoe box and cut dividers from old file folders. The more labels you make, the easier the coupons are to find.

CLOTHES DRYER: To save tons on your electric bill, dry permanent pressed clothes only until wrinkles are removed (about 5 minutes), then hang clothes on hangers and air dry outside on a line. Clothes will smell fresh and be wrinkle free.

GARBAGE DISPOSAL: Don't buy expensive cleaners. Grind lemon or orange peels occasionally to clean the disposal. Don't grind too many at a time and stop up the drain!!!

WALKING: If you live in a town, walk to the drug store, post office, and any other place that is fairly closeby. Take a wagon if you walk to the grocery store. It will do your body good and save you money, too. The walking might also save on doctor bills in the future--you'll be healthier.

VITAMINS: Do not over-kill on vitamins. A good multi-vitamin has C, D, E, selenium, etc., so don't buy these vitamins separately. I discovered my father-in-law was taking 900 times more vitamin C than the daily recommendation. The excess is flushed down the drain and does no one any good.

COMPUTER PAPER: Reuse that extra page that always comes out of your printer after most print jobs. It usually has very little on it. Turn it over and reuse for copying things which do not have to be on perfect paper.

BOOK COVERS: Use last year's outgrown clothes (jeans) to make book covers for your child's upcoming school-year. They can help sew or glue them and decorate as they choose.

AIR CONDITIONING IN CAR: Turn it off on mild days and roll down the windows. That will save you tons of money on gas, I have heard.

DRIVING: Driving at 55 MPH was once touted as being the speed at which we would get the best gas mileage.

CRUISE CONTROL: Use your cruise control on long trips on the expressway.

BRAKES: Don't speed up behind a car that is in front of you and then have to use your brakes. Just think. You wasted gas because you had to interrupt the momentum of the accelleration by braking. If you see a congested area ahead, slow down before you get there and use brakes as little as possible. You will also save your brakes.

WASHING THE CAR: After washing the car with a bucket of soapy water, pour it into your trash cans and wash them for free.

WASHING MACHINES: Set the water level lower on your washer for small loads.

NAPKINS: When you have extra napkins from a fast-food restaurant, put them in the glove box of the car for quick clean ups or take them inside to be used at the table. Too many times we throw away perfectly good napkins.

CONDOMENTS: I know that managers at McDonalds, etc., have told their employees not to give out so many packets of ketchup, mustard, etc., but most still do it. Save those in the butter compartment of your refrigerator and make use of them. You will be surprised at how much that will save.

SALAD DRESSING: Don't buy expensive dressings when everyone I know loves this one: 1 cup Miracle Whip, 1 cup sugar, Rice vinegar to taste. For dieters, use sweetener. This makes the best dressing going for slaw, salad, broccoli, etc. Put it on everything.

OLIVES: Do not buy the expensive olives just to mix into a salad. Buy the ones which are just in pieces and not too pretty to look at. They taste the same and you will save a boat load of money.

Gotta' go. I hope some of these ideas were new to you. I will be back. I love your thread.

[distraughtmothe]

NOTE: On my previous post, be sure to let those celery leaves get completely dry before storing in plastic bags. They will mold otherwise.

[redhaired_dolly]

I highly recommend utilizing the library, too. A lot of us buy books for our loved ones on the inside, and I know being an avid reader I can't always buy for everyone. But I go to the library quite a bit.
One book in particular that we should all read is the Tightwad Gazette. I liked that one so much I bought it. I buy it as gifts for friends trying to save money, too. It's by Amy Dacyczyn. While not all of her suggestions are doable for everyone, I guarantee there is something in there for everyone to learn and ideas we can all use.

[babygirl350]

My biggest gas saver has been I no longer jump in the car to go to the store for one thing. I take a list of errands and do them all in one trip.
When I was working, I would do errands on the way to and from work.
I have gotton a pretty good gas reduction. I used to fill up weekly, now I can go two weeks and in desperation, I have gone three weeks.

[SueinLondonUK]

CAT LITTER

A minor one this but has saved me something like £300 a year.
Instead of buying cat litter I save newspapers and get friends to do so and also pick up free newspapers. I then line the tray with a paper or two and rip up paper to make shredding! It actaully absorbs really well, and my cats love it.