CLIP COUPONS
This is an old, but still relevant, piece of advice.
Coupons are one of the quickest ways to save money, and with reports of people managing to get a hundred dollars worth of groceries for fewer than ten dollars, it makes sense to attempt to keep up with these wonderful little pieces of paper.
Make sure to learn your favorite grocery store’s policy on coupons–some will honor them for other stores, while others will double or triple the value of any coupon brought in.
SHOP ONLINE
Online shopping, especially for gifts, can be quite a bit cheaper than going to a store. If looking for books, movies, or even just random household objects, sites like Amazon.com and EBay can save a consumer as much as 75% on a purchase.
COMBINE TRIPS
When you need to go to multiple places, make sure to do the shopping all in one trip. This saves money on gas overall, and might actually lessen the enthusiasm for spending money in the first place.
WALK, DON’T DRIVE
When a place is close enough, consider walking. This does not mean walking miles to and from the grocery store–but if the store is only a block away, you may want to consider letting your car take a break for that trip!
The main advantage of walking cannot be described in a single paragraph. It is evident that there are many advantages of walking to work, particularly with regard to your health, although there is also the fact that you can save yourself some money.
LEAVE THE THERMOSTAT ALONE
Heating and cooling bills can get very expensive, so try to find a temperature that is comfortable and stick with it.
This may not necessarily save money, but it will give you an idea of what the utility bill will be like every month.
LOOK FOR A HIGH GAS MILEAGE VEHICLE
This is more of a long-term investment than anything else is, but it will help keep overall costs down. If you get to the point where you need a new vehicle, look for something with great gas mileage. A high enough mileage vehicle will pay for itself over time.
PAY ATTENTION TO SPECIALS
In this economy, there are an absurd number of specials on everything from dining to clothing. Try to keep track of these by noting sale signs and paying attention to advertisements on television is a way of cheapest living. This can make buying those little extras in life a lot more affordable.
MAKE USE OF SUNLIGHT
Utility bill getting a little high? If so, this is not cheapest living. Consider leaving the lights off during the day if you have an adequate amount of sunlight in the home. Not only will it keep the bill down, but also it will save you money on light bulbs!
ENERGY STAR RATINGS
When buying appliances, look for an Energy Star or Energy Saver rating. This means that the appliance uses less energy, and will keep you utility bill lower. This can be a great savings and is cheapest living, especially on things like washers and dryers or televisions.
KEEP A BUDGET
This is the key to the cheapest living, and the most comfortable. Try to keep your spending budgeted – it does not need to be excessively tight, but you should know where your money is going. This way, you get to become the master of your own bank account, and not the other way around!
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