Now that the merriment of Christmas has passed it is time to get serious about how to make 2013 a year in which we buckle down and save some money and do life simply.
Here are some tips compiled by MSN that will nudge us to be more cost conscious. Everyone needs a bit of a jolt to get into the saving mode after a season of spending and giving. Take a look and use what you can.
Shop around
If you’re in the market for a big-ticket item, make sure to do your research. You can save up to 30 percent by comparing prices. Do it online instead of going from store to store, so you can save on gas, too.
Always look for free shipping on websites
Remember: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Don’t throw your crummy old shirts in the bin. Cut them up into rags and use them in lieu of paper towels.
Re-use wrapping paper
Or try aluminum foil on for size. If that sounds like something your grandma did, you could be right.
Towel-dry your hair instead of using a hair dryer
This is better for your hair. So save on the electricity costs and go au naturel.
Ask for a trial-size
Curious about a pricy cream? Don’t be afraid to ask the department store beauty counter for a trial size. It will scratch your itch to try something fancy and it won’t cost you a thing.
Wash your hair every other day
Reducing the frequency with which you wash your hair is better for your scalp and your pocketbook.
Practice delayed gratification
If you’re out shopping and see something you simply must have, wait a few days to buy it. Chances are, you’ll have forgotten all about it.
BYO bags
Does your city charge a plastic bag fee? If so, save on the $0.05 fee and bring reusable totes with you wherever you go. Not only are you saving green, you’re being green.
Buy store brand (generic) medications
They contain the exact same ingredients, work just as well, and cost up to 33 percent less than their brand-name counterparts.
Be a Mr. or Miss Fix-it
Take your at-home issue to Lowe’s and see if you can solve it yourself before you hire someone whose rates can be astronomical. You get the personal satisfaction of solving the problem yourself — and you’ll save a hefty chunk of coin.
Sell stuff on consignment
Take your old clothing to a consignment shop instead of donating it. Yes, it’s important to give to Goodwill, but if you have a particularly fancy frock, capitalize on it. Selling your fancy wares is a great way to stash some bonus bucks.
Don’t be afraid to return your purchases
We’ve all let an ill-fitting garment die quietly in the back of our closet. But if you don’t like something, take it back. You’ll save money.
Brew coffee at home instead of swinging by Starbucks
It goes without saying that store-bought lattes can rack up quickly. If you buy a coffee drink four times each week at around $3 per beverage, that’s a cool $624 savings each year. And that’s likely the low end of the spectrum.
Subscribe and save
Subscribe to your favorite publication instead of buying it at the checkout stand. Depending on the magazine, a subscription can run you around $20 a year. If you buy individually, a mag can cost you around $4 a pop. That’s at least a $36 savings each year — but it can wind up being much more than that.
Today ..... keep it simple and make it real.
Here are some tips compiled by MSN that will nudge us to be more cost conscious. Everyone needs a bit of a jolt to get into the saving mode after a season of spending and giving. Take a look and use what you can.
Shop around
If you’re in the market for a big-ticket item, make sure to do your research. You can save up to 30 percent by comparing prices. Do it online instead of going from store to store, so you can save on gas, too.
Always look for free shipping on websites
Remember: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Don’t throw your crummy old shirts in the bin. Cut them up into rags and use them in lieu of paper towels.
Re-use wrapping paper
Or try aluminum foil on for size. If that sounds like something your grandma did, you could be right.
Towel-dry your hair instead of using a hair dryer
This is better for your hair. So save on the electricity costs and go au naturel.
Ask for a trial-size
Curious about a pricy cream? Don’t be afraid to ask the department store beauty counter for a trial size. It will scratch your itch to try something fancy and it won’t cost you a thing.
Wash your hair every other day
Reducing the frequency with which you wash your hair is better for your scalp and your pocketbook.
Practice delayed gratification
If you’re out shopping and see something you simply must have, wait a few days to buy it. Chances are, you’ll have forgotten all about it.
BYO bags
Does your city charge a plastic bag fee? If so, save on the $0.05 fee and bring reusable totes with you wherever you go. Not only are you saving green, you’re being green.
Buy store brand (generic) medications
They contain the exact same ingredients, work just as well, and cost up to 33 percent less than their brand-name counterparts.
Be a Mr. or Miss Fix-it
Take your at-home issue to Lowe’s and see if you can solve it yourself before you hire someone whose rates can be astronomical. You get the personal satisfaction of solving the problem yourself — and you’ll save a hefty chunk of coin.
Sell stuff on consignment
Take your old clothing to a consignment shop instead of donating it. Yes, it’s important to give to Goodwill, but if you have a particularly fancy frock, capitalize on it. Selling your fancy wares is a great way to stash some bonus bucks.
Don’t be afraid to return your purchases
We’ve all let an ill-fitting garment die quietly in the back of our closet. But if you don’t like something, take it back. You’ll save money.
Brew coffee at home instead of swinging by Starbucks
It goes without saying that store-bought lattes can rack up quickly. If you buy a coffee drink four times each week at around $3 per beverage, that’s a cool $624 savings each year. And that’s likely the low end of the spectrum.
Subscribe and save
Subscribe to your favorite publication instead of buying it at the checkout stand. Depending on the magazine, a subscription can run you around $20 a year. If you buy individually, a mag can cost you around $4 a pop. That’s at least a $36 savings each year — but it can wind up being much more than that.
Today ..... keep it simple and make it real.
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