37 Off-Beat Ways to Save Money

Posted September 24th, 2008 by NFAN
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Some money-saving ideas are practical, some are ingenious and others are just plain obvious. And then there are the tips that make you think twice. Maybe you already incorporate these tips into your daily life, or maybe they seem ridiculous or implausible. But perhaps just a few could be the solution to your budgetary needs. Take a look:

Spend Less

  1. Save expired coupons. Some stores will still honor them, especially if you are part of a military family (learn more).
  2. Don't buy dry clean only items. You will continue paying for them every time they need cleaning.
  3. Drink tea, powder mixes or water instead of juice or soda.
  4. Skip the expensive gym; workout at home. Borrow workout videos from the library or go running with a friend.
  5. In the mood for a movie? The early show (matinee) is more affordable than the late show. Many libraries offer movies as well as books and you can always swap movies with friends.
  6. In the mood to hit the town? Local talent is less expensive than touring bands and museums are a better deal than bars.
  7. Watch gas prices and fill up when the prices goes down, even if your tank isn't completely empty.
  8. Looking for furniture? Find out the move-out date for students at your local college. Students acquire furniture and other items they cannot move home and end up leaving many things on the street.
  9. Round up to the nearest dollar or five-dollar increment in your checkbook and throw the difference in your savings. (Bank of America has a "keep the change" savings program that does this automatically.)
  10. Downgrade your cable or phone service. Make sure you're not paying for services you don't need or even use.
  11. Pay attention to portions. This applies to everything. Do you really need that much toothpaste or would half the amount work just as well? What about your shampoo, q-tips, or cleaning solutions? Do you have too much milk at the bottom of your cereal bowl? Is there a tablespoon of syrup on your plate after your pancakes are gone?
  12. Check out local thrift stores. People don't just donate old clothing; most thrift stores are filled with clothes people wore once or gifts that didn't fit their style. Some thrift stores also purchase unused items from surplus or fire-damaged stores.
  13. Shop online. Check out online discount stores, but only when you need something. Don't buy items just because you find a great deal - there is always another deal around the corner. Do ask about the return policy. Make sure the shipping cost doesn't spoil any savings. Check out sites like:

Homemade Habits

  1. Skip the expensive bubble bath and use a dollop of shampoo or even dish soap. Substitutes work just as well (especially when poured under running water) and often smell just as delicious. Save free mini shampoo & conditioners you find in motels and use them for your relaxing baths.
  2. Try removing clothing and carpet stains with Dawn liquid soap and hot water.
  3. Dump the expensive, fancy air freshener sprays. Use dryer sheets instead or tear out the perfume adds in magazines and stick them in your closet, your laundry bag, under the seat in your car or in your gym bag.
  4. Instead of buying glasses and cups, reuse glass jars, like the ones for pickles or jelly. They're functional and fashionably alternative. Soak them in warm water to remove paper labels and run then through the dishwasher. Save the lids too! If you can't finish your drink, you can always screw the top back on, put it in the fridge and finish it later.
  5. Grow your own herbs and veggies. If you don't have a yard, create an indoor garden.
  6. Buy potted plants instead of fresh flowers. They last longer and you can plant them in your garden.
  7. Use white vinegar to kill weeds instead of expensive, chemical pesticides.
  8. Try making curtains, clothes, or accessories, instead of buying them. There is plenty of free information online about how to make things on your own.

Green & Frugal Practices

  1. If you pickup napkins and condiments at fast food restaurants that you don't use during your meal, take them home instead of throwing them away. Save extra napkins in your glove box and use individual condiment packets in lunches for yourself or the kids.
  2. Save grocery store bags and use them in small trash cans. There's no need to purchase special plastic bags for your bathroom trash or for cleaning your cat's litter box. Use the perfectly good free bags from the store.
  3. When eating out, take home half of your meal. Portion sizes are usually large so you can get away with eating just half and saving the rest for another meal. Take home the side salad you didn't touch or the fresh bread you didn't eat; the restaurant will just throw it away if you leave it on the table.
  4. Set aside and reuse plastic wrap or aluminum foil. If it's relatively clean, it can easily be used to cover other dishes and leftovers. If it's a little messy, you can clean it before reusing it.
  5. Don't bother washing barely dirty dishes. If you only used a knife to cut a lemon, rinse it off and put it in the drying rack.
  6. Don't leave sponges in the sink. Bacteria love moist sponges and you will need to replace yucky, soaked sponges often. Instead, wring out as much water as you can and set sponges on your window sill so they can sun dry or throw dirty dish sponges in the top rack of your dishwasher and clean along with your dishes.
  7. Only cook what you plan to eat. Or…
  8. Cook large portions and freeze the leftovers. You'll save on energy in more ways than one: a full freezer takes less energy to keep cool and you can use less energy to reheat than to cook.
  9. Put small portions on your and your family's plates. You can always go back for seconds, but this way less food ends up in the trash.
  10. Monitor your daily habits and reduce one of your vices (e.g., soda, cigarettes, alcohol). Measure the exact quantity of your consumption and set a realistic goal to cut down it. It's easier (and more fun) than quitting altogether!

Make Money!

  1. Sell stuff online. Go to eBay.com or Craigslist.org and list unneeded furniture, old movies and CDs, pottery or jewelry. People turn to these sights to buy discounted items or collectables and they could easily be buying this stuff from you. Craigslist.org is a free and easy site for beginners.
  2. Find out if your used china is collectable or if your old vases are antiques. Look in your basement and in the backs of closets for unsentimental items that could be valuable. Take them to an appraiser or see if the Antiques Roadshow is coming to your town.
  3. Sell your services. Contact local schools and libraries and see if they need part-time tutors. If you have a day job, perhaps a part-time job at night can bring in some much-needed extra cash.
  4. Sell back old text books at www.moneyforbooks.com.
  5. Sell your old cell phone at www.cellforcash.com.
  6. Sell your teenager's old clothes at www.platoscloset.com.

There are many tips and tricks people use to save money. What seems perfectly acceptable to one person could seem crazy to someone else. But some of these ideas may be easier than you think. If you have the time and the will, this advice can save you lots.