As promised, here is the coupon policy for Walmart:
Walmart accepts the following types of coupons:
* Print-at-Home Coupons:
~ must be a manufacturer's coupons
~ must have a valid expiration date
~ must be legible
~ barcode must scan (they will not manually key in savings)
~ BOGO coupons with a specified price will be accepted
~ no free item coupons will be accepted (with exception of BOGO)
~ are acceptable in black and white or in color
~ may not be duplicated
* Manufacturer's Coupons
~ dollars and cents off accepted
~ free items (except those printed online)
~ BOGO coupons
~ must have a valid expiration date
~ barcode must scan (they will not manually key in savings)
* Competitor's Coupons:
~ a specific item for a specific price
~ must have a valid expiration date
~ BOGO coupons with a specified price
* Coupons must be presented at the time of purchase
* Only one coupon per item
* If a coupon exceeds the price of the item, the excess may be given back to the customer as cash, or applied toward the basket purchase
* Item purchased must be identical to the coupon (i.e. size, color, brand, flavor, etc)
* There is no limitation to the number of coupons used per transaction
* No expired coupons will be accepted
* Transactions using SNAP or WIC are not eligible for cash back if the coupons exceed the amount owed
* The system will prompt for manager verification after:
~ 40 coupons scanned
~ a coupon valued at over $20
~ $50 or more in coupons for a single transaction
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
I'm Never Going to Steak n' Shake AGAIN!!!
Thomas and I both love Steak n' Shake, especially for the Fresco melts! But when you are trying to save money and lose weight for your upcoming wedding, your favorite restaurant can become your enemy.
Well....I had a craving for fries during lunch today. Instead of heading out and spending money and consuming unnecessary amounts of calories at a fast food joint, I headed into the kitchen where I found some vegetable oil and potatoes. So I figured I would pan-fry my own French fries to satisfy my craving. I sliced a potato into match sticks and fried them until they were golden brown. After draining them, I decided I needed some dipping sauce. Normally I would reach for ranch dressing, but we are currently out. Instead, I decided to get a little creative with the ingredients we do have in our fridge. In a bowl, I mixed together about 1/2 cup of mayo, 1/4 cup of ketchup, 2 dashes of hot sauce, and a couple shakes of table salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. The result...AN AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS SAUCE THAT TASTES EXACTLY LIKE THE SAUCE ON STEAK N' SHAKE'S FRESCO MELT!!!!!!!
Now I can make Fresco melts at home, and for less money than I would spend at Steak n' Shake. I can also make these healthier by using less butter on the bread, turkey or veggie burgers instead of greasy beef, low-fat cheese, veggies, etc. Next time I make this sauce, I am going to attempt to use Greek yogurt instead of the mayo to make it a little healthier. I'll be sure to update this post after I have tried it!
Well....I had a craving for fries during lunch today. Instead of heading out and spending money and consuming unnecessary amounts of calories at a fast food joint, I headed into the kitchen where I found some vegetable oil and potatoes. So I figured I would pan-fry my own French fries to satisfy my craving. I sliced a potato into match sticks and fried them until they were golden brown. After draining them, I decided I needed some dipping sauce. Normally I would reach for ranch dressing, but we are currently out. Instead, I decided to get a little creative with the ingredients we do have in our fridge. In a bowl, I mixed together about 1/2 cup of mayo, 1/4 cup of ketchup, 2 dashes of hot sauce, and a couple shakes of table salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. The result...AN AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS SAUCE THAT TASTES EXACTLY LIKE THE SAUCE ON STEAK N' SHAKE'S FRESCO MELT!!!!!!!
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Free Samples
I love using free samples to beef up my stockpile! When companies are trying to boost sales or introduce a new product, they give away free samples. You can order these samples online and they do not cost you a penny (not even in shipping)! Most of them are not full size products, but they are still free! Samples are limited, so be sure to check the websites on a daily basis. I usually block out about an hour every morning to check.
I have taken advantage of free samples to get items like lotion, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, dryer sheets, laundry detergent, coffee, granola bars, cereal, coffee, and more! Even if I do not personally use the items I order, chances are I know someone that does use that product. This is one way that I help out my family and friends.
Here are some of my favorite scam-free sample sites that do not require you to take surveys:
www.yofreesamples.com
www.target.com
www.walmart.com
www.freeflys.com
www.scamfreesamples.com
** Facebook is also a great place to find freebies! Like your favorite brands for free samples and coupons!
I have taken advantage of free samples to get items like lotion, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, dryer sheets, laundry detergent, coffee, granola bars, cereal, coffee, and more! Even if I do not personally use the items I order, chances are I know someone that does use that product. This is one way that I help out my family and friends.
Here are some of my favorite scam-free sample sites that do not require you to take surveys:
www.yofreesamples.com
www.target.com
www.walmart.com
www.freeflys.com
www.scamfreesamples.com
Couponing 101
I am not typically one of those extreme couponers you see on TV, but I have considered starting a stock pile and I love using coupons to get free items at the grocery store. We are on a very, very tight monthly grocery budget so every penny saved counts, especially now that Thomas and I are paying for our own wedding and saving for the down payment on our first house. In addition, we will be self-catering our wedding reception with the help of a few family members and friends, therefore, we will also be couponing to keep the cost of our wedding reception for over 150 guests to a minimum.
Here are some tips and tricks to couponing that I have either tried myself, or have found online. My goal is not to be the lady who cleans the entire store out of toothpaste and stands in the check out late for four hours (because who has time for that), but I am hoping to save some big bucks! Hopefully these tips will help you out too. If you are already an avid couponer, please feel free to share your stories, tips, etc. in the comments section! Happy couponing!
1. Make a binder for your coupons
* I recommend using a 3" three-ring binder
* Use clear sleeves used to display baseball cards to organize your coupons
* Use dividing tabs to separate your coupons into categories
~ I have categories for Meat, Dairy, Baking, Produce, Snack and Sweets, Household Items,
Personal Care Items, Breakfast, Soups/Sauces/Spreads, Beverages, and Frozen Items.
* Place coupons into the sleeves typically used for baseball cards (group like coupons into the same sleeve making sure the coupons that expire first are always displayed in front)
2. Find Coupons:
I typically get my coupons from the Sunday paper. In addition, my mom always gives me the coupons that she does not need from her paper as well. Be sure to take advantage of online coupons as well. I print coupons from home by using the following websites:
www.couponmom.com
www.coupons.com
www.redplum.com
www.3boysandadog.com
www.blastcoupons.com
www.target.com
www.schnucks.com
www.shopnsave.com
In addition to using these sites, many brand websites offer printable coupons on their website. Some of the products I use such as Gorton's seafood, Uncle Ben's rice, Bird's Eye frozen veggies, Pillsbury, Ortega, Hormel, and Betty Crocker, offer coupons for their products on their websites. Coupons can also sometimes be obtained by "liking" your favorite brands on Facebook. Finally, if you use certain products on a regular basis, try emailing the companies and asking for coupons. I recently received two free packages of PictSweet frozen veggies and three coupons for 75 cents off McCormick mixes that doubled to get me free taco seasoning and milk gravy mixes.
Some people also go dumpster diving in recycle bins to find coupon inserts that people have discarded. I have personally never done this, but if it meant getting month's worth of groceries for under $50, I would probably do this! Be sure to take advantage of in-store coupons an well. Every time I see in-store coupons, I grab quite a few of the same coupon. If the item is on sale for a low enough price, I will stock up. If the sale is not that great, I will add the coupons to my coupon binder and wait until that product is on sale. One more great place to search for coupons is on the product itself. I have found so many coupons printed on the inside of frozen entree, cereal, rice, and pasta boxes.
NOTE: Some websites like www.coupons.com only allow you to print two of each coupon per IP address. This will not be a problem if you have more than one computer hooked up to a printer. In our home, we have one desk top computer and two laptop computers. This allows me to get 6 copies of every coupon available. Sometimes, my mom will also let me print coupons at her house. There are three desktop computers and 1 laptop at her house, so that is 8 more copies of each money saving coupon. If you work in an office building, you may also be able to use your work computer. Be sure to ask your boss first though. One women featured on TLC's Extreme Couponing worked for a car dealership. In exchange for her boss letting her use all of the computers in the office to print her coupons, she had a stockpile of chips, candy, cookies, and drinks in her office that each employee had access to.
3. Check Out Store Ads:
I always try to pair up my coupons with store sales to get the most out of our grocery budget. This is people are able to get many grocery items for free! There are websites you can use to help you with this like www.thegrocerygame.com, but they charge you a fee. Yes you may be saving money in the long run, but this is something I can do for free by just taking a little more time to look through the weekly store ads so I really do not see a need to pay someone to do this for me.
4. Smaller Can Be Better:
Even though a larger size of a product may be cheaper per ounce, buy the smaller product if it means getting that product for free. If you have multiple coupons for one product, the smaller size will not matter. This is especially true if you are trying to start a stockpile.
5. Don't Forget to Shop Target and Walgreen's:
I love shopping at these two stores with coupons because they allow you to use two coupons per product! The only stipulation is that one coupon must be a store coupon, and the other must be a manufacturer's coupon. So, head to www.target.com or clip coupons from the Sunday paper's Walgreen's insert before your shopping trip, then pair those coupons with manufacturer's coupons from your coupon binder for extreme savings! If you can find these products on sale it get's even better!
6. Make Sure You Know Your Store's Coupon Policy!
Each store has a different coupon policy. Make sure you read the coupon policies on your store's website before heading out on your shopping trip, otherwise you may be spending more at the register than you anticipated.
SCHNUCK'S COUPON POLICY:
* They accept in-store, manufacturer's, and online coupons. However, they do not accept online coupons for free products or coupons valued at $5 or more, unless they are issued by Schnucks.
* Only 1 coupon per item.
* No refunds are given so if your coupon exceeds the price of the product, the coupon amount is adjusted at the register.
* There is no limit to how many coupons you can use per transaction as long as there is only one coupon being used per product. They do, however, reserve the right to limit the number of like coupons to 3 per transaction (this is where you may have to split up your shopping trip into multiple transactions).
* They do accept online buy one, get one free coupons as long as at least one item is being purchased to receive a free item.
* Most of the stores in the St. Louis area offer double coupons on a daily basis. The first 15 coupons valued at 40 cents or less each are doubled. However, there is a limit of 3 like coupons per transaction. Check your local Schnuck's coupon policy to be sure, as the policy changes by store.
~ Usually, Thomas and I go together and do a transaction each to take advantage of more doubled coupons. Sometimes we even do more than one transaction each.
NOTE: Be sure to check out the store circular before you go. For the past few weeks, our area Schnucks has been offering triple coupon days where they triple the value of your first 15 coupons valued at 50 cents or less!
SHOP N' SAVE COUPON POLICY:
* Be sure to be on the lookout for "Coupon Thursdays". Every so often, Shop n' Save stores (at least in the St. Louis area) offer $10 off a $50 purchase (excludes gift cards). However, you are only allowed one transaction per person. The best part about this promotion...they take the $10 off before the coupons!!!!!
~ Thomas and I get around this by doing one transaction each. Sometimes if we still have more items we need to get, we will go load up the car then go back into the store and do another transaction each at a different cash register. Just be sure that you save all of the products that require refrigeration for your last transaction so they do not spoil in your car while you're still shopping.
* Shop n' Save does accept online coupons as long as the bar code scans. They will not manually type in savings from an online coupon. I have personally never had an issue with my online coupons scanning.
** I was not able to locate the coupon policies on the Shop n' Save website. I did, however, email the company so this section is coming soon pending their response.
WALMART'S COUPON POLICY:
* I was not able to find a coupon policy on their website, but I have emailed the company to obtain a copy. As soon as I get a response I will update this post with my findings.
* They do accept printed online coupons because I have used several at my local Walmart.
* Walmart also price matches. Take competitor's circulars with you when you shop at Walmart. If you find a product advertised for a lower price, they will honor the lower price!
Here are some tips and tricks to couponing that I have either tried myself, or have found online. My goal is not to be the lady who cleans the entire store out of toothpaste and stands in the check out late for four hours (because who has time for that), but I am hoping to save some big bucks! Hopefully these tips will help you out too. If you are already an avid couponer, please feel free to share your stories, tips, etc. in the comments section! Happy couponing!
1. Make a binder for your coupons
* I recommend using a 3" three-ring binder
* Use clear sleeves used to display baseball cards to organize your coupons
* Use dividing tabs to separate your coupons into categories
~ I have categories for Meat, Dairy, Baking, Produce, Snack and Sweets, Household Items,
Personal Care Items, Breakfast, Soups/Sauces/Spreads, Beverages, and Frozen Items.
* Place coupons into the sleeves typically used for baseball cards (group like coupons into the same sleeve making sure the coupons that expire first are always displayed in front)
2. Find Coupons:
I typically get my coupons from the Sunday paper. In addition, my mom always gives me the coupons that she does not need from her paper as well. Be sure to take advantage of online coupons as well. I print coupons from home by using the following websites:
www.couponmom.com
www.coupons.com
www.redplum.com
www.3boysandadog.com
www.blastcoupons.com
www.target.com
www.schnucks.com
www.shopnsave.com
In addition to using these sites, many brand websites offer printable coupons on their website. Some of the products I use such as Gorton's seafood, Uncle Ben's rice, Bird's Eye frozen veggies, Pillsbury, Ortega, Hormel, and Betty Crocker, offer coupons for their products on their websites. Coupons can also sometimes be obtained by "liking" your favorite brands on Facebook. Finally, if you use certain products on a regular basis, try emailing the companies and asking for coupons. I recently received two free packages of PictSweet frozen veggies and three coupons for 75 cents off McCormick mixes that doubled to get me free taco seasoning and milk gravy mixes.
Some people also go dumpster diving in recycle bins to find coupon inserts that people have discarded. I have personally never done this, but if it meant getting month's worth of groceries for under $50, I would probably do this! Be sure to take advantage of in-store coupons an well. Every time I see in-store coupons, I grab quite a few of the same coupon. If the item is on sale for a low enough price, I will stock up. If the sale is not that great, I will add the coupons to my coupon binder and wait until that product is on sale. One more great place to search for coupons is on the product itself. I have found so many coupons printed on the inside of frozen entree, cereal, rice, and pasta boxes.
NOTE: Some websites like www.coupons.com only allow you to print two of each coupon per IP address. This will not be a problem if you have more than one computer hooked up to a printer. In our home, we have one desk top computer and two laptop computers. This allows me to get 6 copies of every coupon available. Sometimes, my mom will also let me print coupons at her house. There are three desktop computers and 1 laptop at her house, so that is 8 more copies of each money saving coupon. If you work in an office building, you may also be able to use your work computer. Be sure to ask your boss first though. One women featured on TLC's Extreme Couponing worked for a car dealership. In exchange for her boss letting her use all of the computers in the office to print her coupons, she had a stockpile of chips, candy, cookies, and drinks in her office that each employee had access to.
3. Check Out Store Ads:
I always try to pair up my coupons with store sales to get the most out of our grocery budget. This is people are able to get many grocery items for free! There are websites you can use to help you with this like www.thegrocerygame.com, but they charge you a fee. Yes you may be saving money in the long run, but this is something I can do for free by just taking a little more time to look through the weekly store ads so I really do not see a need to pay someone to do this for me.
4. Smaller Can Be Better:
Even though a larger size of a product may be cheaper per ounce, buy the smaller product if it means getting that product for free. If you have multiple coupons for one product, the smaller size will not matter. This is especially true if you are trying to start a stockpile.
5. Don't Forget to Shop Target and Walgreen's:
I love shopping at these two stores with coupons because they allow you to use two coupons per product! The only stipulation is that one coupon must be a store coupon, and the other must be a manufacturer's coupon. So, head to www.target.com or clip coupons from the Sunday paper's Walgreen's insert before your shopping trip, then pair those coupons with manufacturer's coupons from your coupon binder for extreme savings! If you can find these products on sale it get's even better!
6. Make Sure You Know Your Store's Coupon Policy!
Each store has a different coupon policy. Make sure you read the coupon policies on your store's website before heading out on your shopping trip, otherwise you may be spending more at the register than you anticipated.
SCHNUCK'S COUPON POLICY:
* They accept in-store, manufacturer's, and online coupons. However, they do not accept online coupons for free products or coupons valued at $5 or more, unless they are issued by Schnucks.
* Only 1 coupon per item.
* No refunds are given so if your coupon exceeds the price of the product, the coupon amount is adjusted at the register.
* There is no limit to how many coupons you can use per transaction as long as there is only one coupon being used per product. They do, however, reserve the right to limit the number of like coupons to 3 per transaction (this is where you may have to split up your shopping trip into multiple transactions).
* They do accept online buy one, get one free coupons as long as at least one item is being purchased to receive a free item.
* Most of the stores in the St. Louis area offer double coupons on a daily basis. The first 15 coupons valued at 40 cents or less each are doubled. However, there is a limit of 3 like coupons per transaction. Check your local Schnuck's coupon policy to be sure, as the policy changes by store.
~ Usually, Thomas and I go together and do a transaction each to take advantage of more doubled coupons. Sometimes we even do more than one transaction each.
NOTE: Be sure to check out the store circular before you go. For the past few weeks, our area Schnucks has been offering triple coupon days where they triple the value of your first 15 coupons valued at 50 cents or less!
SHOP N' SAVE COUPON POLICY:
* Be sure to be on the lookout for "Coupon Thursdays". Every so often, Shop n' Save stores (at least in the St. Louis area) offer $10 off a $50 purchase (excludes gift cards). However, you are only allowed one transaction per person. The best part about this promotion...they take the $10 off before the coupons!!!!!
~ Thomas and I get around this by doing one transaction each. Sometimes if we still have more items we need to get, we will go load up the car then go back into the store and do another transaction each at a different cash register. Just be sure that you save all of the products that require refrigeration for your last transaction so they do not spoil in your car while you're still shopping.
* Shop n' Save does accept online coupons as long as the bar code scans. They will not manually type in savings from an online coupon. I have personally never had an issue with my online coupons scanning.
** I was not able to locate the coupon policies on the Shop n' Save website. I did, however, email the company so this section is coming soon pending their response.
WALMART'S COUPON POLICY:
* I was not able to find a coupon policy on their website, but I have emailed the company to obtain a copy. As soon as I get a response I will update this post with my findings.
* They do accept printed online coupons because I have used several at my local Walmart.
* Walmart also price matches. Take competitor's circulars with you when you shop at Walmart. If you find a product advertised for a lower price, they will honor the lower price!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
DIY Beef Stew Mix
2 cups flour
4 tsp oregano
2 tbsp basil
4 1/2 tbsp salt
4 1/2 tbsp black pepper
4 1/2 tbsp paprika
4 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
1 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tbsp celery seed
4 1/2 tbsp onion powder
2 tsp rosemary
Mix all ingredients together and store them in an airtight container.
To prepare: brown beef stew meat in 2-3 tbsp of mix.
4 tsp oregano
2 tbsp basil
4 1/2 tbsp salt
4 1/2 tbsp black pepper
4 1/2 tbsp paprika
4 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
1 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tbsp celery seed
4 1/2 tbsp onion powder
2 tsp rosemary
Mix all ingredients together and store them in an airtight container.
To prepare: brown beef stew meat in 2-3 tbsp of mix.
DIY Beef Gravy Mix
1 1/3 cups nonfat milk powder
3/4 cup instant flour
3 tbsp instant beef bullion granules
1/8 tsp ground thyme
1/8 tsp ground sage
1/4 tsp onion powder
Mix together and store in an airtight container.
To prepare, combine 1/2 cup of mix, 1 cup of water, and 1 1/2 tbsp of butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk constantly until smooth and thick (2-3 minutes).
3/4 cup instant flour
3 tbsp instant beef bullion granules
1/8 tsp ground thyme
1/8 tsp ground sage
1/4 tsp onion powder
Mix together and store in an airtight container.
To prepare, combine 1/2 cup of mix, 1 cup of water, and 1 1/2 tbsp of butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk constantly until smooth and thick (2-3 minutes).
DIY Eye Makeup Remover
I used to work for a high-end department store makeup counter and fell in love with the products sold by that high-end company, including their $29 bottle of eye makeup remover. Yikes! Now that I have moved on from that job, I no longer get an employee discount or free gratis products and I am not about to pay $90 for moisturizer, $25 for eyeliner, or $29 for eye make up remover. Now that I have come across this DIY eye makeup remover, I will never switch to anything else! This is so simple and cheap to make so I no longer see a reason to pay that much for eye makeup remover.
You'll Need:
Bottle with a lid
2 tbsp of tear free baby shampoo
Cold water
Pour ingredients into your bottle and shake. The shampoo and water do have a tendency to separate, so make sure you shake before each use.
Bottle with a lid
2 tbsp of tear free baby shampoo
Cold water
Pour ingredients into your bottle and shake. The shampoo and water do have a tendency to separate, so make sure you shake before each use.
DIY Fabreze
I love how Fabreze freshens your fabrics, especially right before last minute company walks through the door. However, I hate paying almost $4 a bottle for this stuff! Here is a DIY tutorial on how to make your own Fabreze fabric freshener! I'm so excited!
You'll Need:
1 Misting spray bottle (I used an empty Fabreze bottle)
1 part baking soda
1 part fabric softener (this is where you can really play around with different scents)
2 parts warm water
Pour everything into your spray bottle, shake, and freshen! It is that easy! Plus, all of these items are most likely already in your home! What could get better, or cheaper, than that?
1 Misting spray bottle (I used an empty Fabreze bottle)
1 part baking soda
1 part fabric softener (this is where you can really play around with different scents)
2 parts warm water
Pour everything into your spray bottle, shake, and freshen! It is that easy! Plus, all of these items are most likely already in your home! What could get better, or cheaper, than that?
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
DIY Weed Killer
Oh my! This stuff is so expensive at the hardware stores. We will definitely be needing this once we meet our financial goals for this year and purchase our first home next summer.
You'll Need:
A 1-2 gallon sprayer (you can find these on Amazon)
Vinegar
Dry, hot day
All you have to do is pour the vinegar in a sprayer and pump it to get it spraying. If you do this on a hot, dry day it will work quicker because the weeds will be thirsty.
You'll Need:
A 1-2 gallon sprayer (you can find these on Amazon)
Vinegar
Dry, hot day
All you have to do is pour the vinegar in a sprayer and pump it to get it spraying. If you do this on a hot, dry day it will work quicker because the weeds will be thirsty.
Homemade Hair Detangler
I have pretty long hair so this is going to come in handy!
You'll need:
1 tbsp of conditioner
Water
Misting spray bottle
Place the conditioner in the spray bottle then fill it the rest of the way with water. Shake it up and spray. ITS THAT SIMPLE!!!
DIY Pizza Sauce
I love this recipe because it is cheaper than store bought, contains less sodium, and is a great use of the produce we grow at home.
Step 1: Wash, blanch, peel, and core tomatoes
Step 2: Chop up tomatoes and process them in a food processor
Step 3: Pour contents into a skillet and simmer, stirring frequently
Step 4: Add 1 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp white sugar, 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 bushel of tomatoes will make approximately 14 pints of pizza sauce. This is a perfect recipe for canning so you'll have pizza sauce at your finger tips at all times.
Step 1: Wash, blanch, peel, and core tomatoes
Step 2: Chop up tomatoes and process them in a food processor
Step 3: Pour contents into a skillet and simmer, stirring frequently
Step 4: Add 1 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp white sugar, 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 bushel of tomatoes will make approximately 14 pints of pizza sauce. This is a perfect recipe for canning so you'll have pizza sauce at your finger tips at all times.
DIY Brownie Mix
I love baking brownies and typically, the mix for brownies that you buy in the store is fairly inexpensive. However, I found this recipe for DIY brownie mix that only costs about 30 cents per mix. That is a savings of about 60 cents to $1.25 at my local store. Every savings, no matter how small, gets us one step closer to our financial goals for 2013.
This is always nice to have on hand for a weeknight dessert (aka my chocolate cravings), when you have unexpected guests, or just need something to do on a rainy day.
You'll Need:
1 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of flour
1/3 cup of baking cocoa
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
Mix all ingredients together and place them in a resealable bag. To prepare the brownies, you'll need to add 1/2 cup of oil, 1 tsp of vanilla, and 2 eggs. Bake in a 9"x9" pan at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
You could even customize your mix by adding white chocolate chips, marshmallows, M&M's, etc.
This is always nice to have on hand for a weeknight dessert (aka my chocolate cravings), when you have unexpected guests, or just need something to do on a rainy day.
You'll Need:
1 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of flour
1/3 cup of baking cocoa
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
Mix all ingredients together and place them in a resealable bag. To prepare the brownies, you'll need to add 1/2 cup of oil, 1 tsp of vanilla, and 2 eggs. Bake in a 9"x9" pan at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
You could even customize your mix by adding white chocolate chips, marshmallows, M&M's, etc.
Birthday Freebies
Here is a list of awesome birthday freebies. Just go to the company websites and sign up for their newsletters and birthday clubs, and they will send you freebies for your birthday! What would be better than going out for your birthday completely free?
1. Arby's: Free Shake
2. Ace Hardware: $5 off purchase
3. AMF Lanes: Free bowling
4. Applebee's: Free dessert
5. Auntie Anne's: Free pretzel
6. Baskin Robins: Free scoop of ice cream
7. Bella Milano: Free Entree
8. Ben and Jerry's: Free ice cream
9. Buffalo Wild Wings: Free dessert
10. Chevy's Fresh Mex: Free entree
11. Chili's: Free dessert
12. Coldstone Creamery: Free creation
13. Cracker Barrel: Free dessert
14. Culver's: Free sundae
15. CVS: Extra $3 rewards
16. Dairy Queen: Free blizzard
17. Dave and Buster's: Free $5 game play card
18. Denny's: Free Grand Slam
19. Fazoli's: Free dessert
20. Fuddrucker's: Free burger
21. Hometown Buffet: Free buffet
22. Hooters: Free wings
23. Houlihan's: Free entree
24. IHOP: Free pancakes
25. Jack in the Box: Free dessert
26. Johnny Rockets: Free burger
27. Kmart: $5 gift card
28. Krispy Kreme: Free donut
29. Lofthouse Cookies: $2 off coupon
30. Logan's Roadhouse: Free dessert
31. Lone Star Steakhouse: Free appetizer
32. Longhorn Steakhouse: Free dessert
33. Melting Pot: Free chocolate fondue
34. Missouri Lottery: Free lottery ticket
35. Noodles and Company: Free entree
36. Orange Julius: Free drink
37. Old Country Buffet: Free buffet
38. Olga's Kitchen: Free dessert
39. Oriental Trading Company: Free birthday points
40. Olive Garden: Free dessert
41. Outback Steakhouse: Free appetizer
42. PF Changs: Free cheesecake
43. Panera Bread Company: Free pastry
44. Papa Murphy's Pizza: Free chocolate chip cookie dough
45. Ponderosa: Free steak dinner
46. Qdoba: Free burrito
47. Quiznos: Free cookie
48. Redbox: Free movie rental
49. Red Robin: Free burger
50. Ruby Tuesdays: Free cupcake
51. Sephora: Free makeup
52. Smokey Bones: Free dessert
53. Starbucks: Free beverage
54. Steak n' Shake: Free steak burger and fries
55. Stir Crazy: Free stir fry
56. TGI Friday's: Free dessert
57. Texas Roadhouse: Free appetizer
58. Victoria's Secret: Free birthday surprise
59. Walmart: Free birthday portrait
60. Olin Mills: Free birthday portraits
61. Waffle House: Free waffle
62. Wendy's: Free Frosty
63. Wingstop: Free fries
64. World Market: $10 gift card
65. Cheesecake Factory: Free dessert
1. Arby's: Free Shake
2. Ace Hardware: $5 off purchase
3. AMF Lanes: Free bowling
4. Applebee's: Free dessert
5. Auntie Anne's: Free pretzel
6. Baskin Robins: Free scoop of ice cream
7. Bella Milano: Free Entree
8. Ben and Jerry's: Free ice cream
9. Buffalo Wild Wings: Free dessert
10. Chevy's Fresh Mex: Free entree
11. Chili's: Free dessert
12. Coldstone Creamery: Free creation
13. Cracker Barrel: Free dessert
14. Culver's: Free sundae
15. CVS: Extra $3 rewards
16. Dairy Queen: Free blizzard
17. Dave and Buster's: Free $5 game play card
18. Denny's: Free Grand Slam
19. Fazoli's: Free dessert
20. Fuddrucker's: Free burger
21. Hometown Buffet: Free buffet
22. Hooters: Free wings
23. Houlihan's: Free entree
24. IHOP: Free pancakes
25. Jack in the Box: Free dessert
26. Johnny Rockets: Free burger
27. Kmart: $5 gift card
28. Krispy Kreme: Free donut
29. Lofthouse Cookies: $2 off coupon
30. Logan's Roadhouse: Free dessert
31. Lone Star Steakhouse: Free appetizer
32. Longhorn Steakhouse: Free dessert
33. Melting Pot: Free chocolate fondue
34. Missouri Lottery: Free lottery ticket
35. Noodles and Company: Free entree
36. Orange Julius: Free drink
37. Old Country Buffet: Free buffet
38. Olga's Kitchen: Free dessert
39. Oriental Trading Company: Free birthday points
40. Olive Garden: Free dessert
41. Outback Steakhouse: Free appetizer
42. PF Changs: Free cheesecake
43. Panera Bread Company: Free pastry
44. Papa Murphy's Pizza: Free chocolate chip cookie dough
45. Ponderosa: Free steak dinner
46. Qdoba: Free burrito
47. Quiznos: Free cookie
48. Redbox: Free movie rental
49. Red Robin: Free burger
50. Ruby Tuesdays: Free cupcake
51. Sephora: Free makeup
52. Smokey Bones: Free dessert
53. Starbucks: Free beverage
54. Steak n' Shake: Free steak burger and fries
55. Stir Crazy: Free stir fry
56. TGI Friday's: Free dessert
57. Texas Roadhouse: Free appetizer
58. Victoria's Secret: Free birthday surprise
59. Walmart: Free birthday portrait
60. Olin Mills: Free birthday portraits
61. Waffle House: Free waffle
62. Wendy's: Free Frosty
63. Wingstop: Free fries
64. World Market: $10 gift card
65. Cheesecake Factory: Free dessert
DIY Tub Scrub
You'll need:
A jar with a lid
1/2 cup of grated soap (we usually use soap scraps)
2 cups of baking soda
1/2 cup of Borax
10 drops of lemon essential oil
10 drops of lime essential oil
Grind everything together in a food processor until you cannot recognize distinct elements. Store in a jar with a lid. Add 1-2 tablespoons to a damp sponge to scrub down your bath tub. This also works well on sinks and toilets.
DIY Dish Soap
Here's what you'll need:
1 cup Borax
1 cup of baking soda
1/2 cup citric acid (you can use 15 packets of unsweetened Lemonade Kool-Aid mix or a produce protector called "fresh fruit" from the canning isle)
Mix all ingredients together in a container with a lid. Use 1 tablespoon of the dish soap per load. To keep glasses and plastic from getting cloudy, add a little vinegar to the rinse aid portion of your dishwasher.
DIY Cooking Spray
I dread buying cooking spray because of the price and the nasty chemicals store varieties contain. Naturally I was relieved when I found this recipe online for DIY cooking spray for just a fraction of the cost.
You'll need:
Misting spray bottle (you can find these at the dollar store or at Walmart)
Olive oil (you could also use canola oil)
Water
Mix one part olive oil with five parts water. Pour into the spray bottle and shake. Store this cooking spray in a cool, dark place.
In addition to being cheaper and more natural, this cooking spray will not leave that nasty residue on pans that most cooking sprays do.
Misting spray bottle (you can find these at the dollar store or at Walmart)
Olive oil (you could also use canola oil)
Water
Mix one part olive oil with five parts water. Pour into the spray bottle and shake. Store this cooking spray in a cool, dark place.
In addition to being cheaper and more natural, this cooking spray will not leave that nasty residue on pans that most cooking sprays do.
DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent
One of our biggest expenses at the grocery store used to by liquid laundry detergent. Well, not anymore. I have found a cheaper solution to spending $14 for a jug of detergent.
You'll need:
5 gallon bucket with lid
Gallon milk jugs (about 10)
Arm and Hammer super washing soda about $3 in the laundry isle)
Fels-Naptha soap bar (about $1.60 in the laundry isle)
Borax (about $3 in the laundry isle)
Grate the bar of soap completely. Dissolve the soap shavings in 4 cups of hot water over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. It will be a little foamy at the top. Make sure soap is completely dissolved. This will take about 8-10 minutes.
Fill the 5 gallon bucket with hot water along with the soap mixture. Add 1/2 cup of Borax and 1 cup of washing soda. Stir. Fill the rest of the bucket with water and stir again. Cover and let sit overnight. It will be slightly thicker when you open it up the next day. Stir again.
Use a funnel to pour the detergent into empty detergent bottles or milk jugs.
This will do about 640 loads of laundry in a front-loading washing machine (about 180 in top-loading). For HE washers, use 1/2 cup of detergent. Because the soap used for the detergent is pure soap, it will not produce suds so it is safe for an HE washer.
This costs just pennies per load!
5 gallon bucket with lid
Gallon milk jugs (about 10)
Arm and Hammer super washing soda about $3 in the laundry isle)
Fels-Naptha soap bar (about $1.60 in the laundry isle)
Borax (about $3 in the laundry isle)
Grate the bar of soap completely. Dissolve the soap shavings in 4 cups of hot water over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. It will be a little foamy at the top. Make sure soap is completely dissolved. This will take about 8-10 minutes.
Fill the 5 gallon bucket with hot water along with the soap mixture. Add 1/2 cup of Borax and 1 cup of washing soda. Stir. Fill the rest of the bucket with water and stir again. Cover and let sit overnight. It will be slightly thicker when you open it up the next day. Stir again.
Use a funnel to pour the detergent into empty detergent bottles or milk jugs.
This will do about 640 loads of laundry in a front-loading washing machine (about 180 in top-loading). For HE washers, use 1/2 cup of detergent. Because the soap used for the detergent is pure soap, it will not produce suds so it is safe for an HE washer.
This costs just pennies per load!
150 Money Saving Tips
1. Turn off the Lights:
During the day, I do not use any of the lights in the apartment. I open the blinds and use the natural light from outside. Even on a cloudy day, I can still see well enough to do homework, read, etc.
2. Start a Change Jar:
I refrain from using exact change and always break a dollar. At the end of the day, we deposit all of our change into the change jar. Thomas and I have save up almost $300 for our wedding using a change jar.
3. Use CFL Light Bulbs:
You can get these at Walmart for a very reasonable price. Sometimes you can even find coupons online to save even more. These CFL light bulbs save you money on your electric bill.
4. Use Cold Water:
Use cold water to do your laundry instead of warm or hot. It saves energy and saves you money on your electric bill.
5. Cut Dryer Sheets in Half:
You still get the same softness and freshness with half of the cost.
6. Brown Bag it:
Bring your lunch to work. I do this when I work as well as when I'm at school, and not only with lunch, but with dinner and snacks too. The more meals I bring from home, the less tempted I am to hit up the drive-thru or the vending machines that we all know are way over priced.
7. At Home Brew:
Instead of hitting up Starbucks and spending a minimum of $4 a day on your coffee, brew it at home. You can even make frappuccinos by adding ice, chocolate syrup, and cream or milk to the coffee and blending.
8. Eat Out Less:
Eating at home is so much cheaper, and healthier than eating out all the time. Not to mention the gas it takes to get there.
**FUN FACT: Did you know that McDonald's charges their customers an extra tax for eating in? If you look at your latest receipt, you will see an "Eat In" tax printed at the bottom. It usually costs about 35 cents just to order food and sit in their restaurant to eat it! No thanks!
9. Menu Planning:
Make a meal plan and display it in your home. Then make a list of the items you need from the store to make the items and STICK TO YOUR LIST!
10. Clip Coupons:
You do not have to put as much time into it as the "extreme couponers" on TV do, but clipping coupons could save you hundreds of dollars per month at the grocery store. Check out my couponing post coming soon.
IF YOU MUST GO OUT TO A RESTAURANT
11. Go Out for Lunch or Breakfast Instead:
Prices are much cheaper if you visit a restaurant for breakfast or lunch rather than dinner.
12. Split your meals:
If you're dining with your partner or a friend, try splitting an entree instead of ordering two. This also splits your bill in half!
13. Order Water:
Not only is it healthier for you, but ordering water instead of soda or tea at a restaurant can save you about $2.50 per person!
14. Use Coupons:
Coupons are not just for the grocery store. Try finding restaurant coupons for your next meal out. Sign up for mailing lists to get money saving coupons. We always look at the coupons we have before deciding where we are going to eat. Typically if we do not have a coupon, we do not go.
15. Take Half To-Go:
Ask for a to-go box immediately after your meal arrives. Place half of your meal in the box and take it to work for lunch the next day. Yes you are spending money on eating out, but at least you are getting two meals out of it.
--------
16. Go Generic:
Switching to a generic brand of the medication I am on saves me over $40 every month! Even some generic and store brand over-the-counter medications can be cheaper. Just be sure to check the ingredient labels to be sure the amounts are the same from brand to brand before purchasing.
17. Balance the Book:
Keep your checkbook balanced to avoid over drafting your checking account. At some of the banks we use, over draft fees can be as high as $35 per transaction.
18. No Late Fees:
Pay your bills on time to avoid paying late fees or increased interest. We use a spread sheet every month to help us keep track of our monthly bills. You can easily make these yourself, or find templates online for free.
19. Pay More:
Making more than the minimum payment on your credit cards or make multiple payments per month. This pays down your balance quicker and saves you money on interest. Just be sure to read your card-holder's policy on multiple payments. Some charge fees for making extra payments in a month. For example, on one of my Visa cards, they only allow me to make 4 payments each month before they charge me a fee.
20. No ATM Fees:
Only use your bank's ATM to withdraw money from your accounts to avoid ATM fees. I've seen ATM fees cost anywhere from $1.50 to $3.00 per transaction.
21. Invest in an Entertainment Book:
Entertainment books cost $35 each. If you wait a few weeks to purchase one, the prices will drop and sometimes shipping charges will also be waived. Entertainment books can easily save you hundreds if you go out to eat or visit local attractions. The coupons in this book can also save you money on clothing! These books save you so much money that it pays for itself. I love my local Entertainment book because it offers 6 coupons for $5 off a $50+ purchase at one of my favorite grocery stores within the first couple of pages. That is $30 in savings right off the bat!
22. DIY Cleaners:
Making your own household cleaners can be so much cheaper than buying commercial cleaners. In addition, you know exactly what you are introducing into your environment. See my list of DIY cleaners coming soon.
23. Birthday Freebies:
Many restaurants and stores offer birthday savings when you sign up for email newsletters. This is a great way to enjoy your birthday at a very low price, or even free! See my list of birthday freebies coming soon.
24. Get Good Grades:
Being a good student can have its perks. The main perk we take advantage of is the car insurance discount. Kids can also get a free game of bowling at AMF Lanes. Some restaurants offer discounts on kids meals when you show a good report card.
25. Rent your Textbooks:
Try renting your textbooks instead of purchasing them. At the school I attend, all undergraduate students rent their textbooks from the bookstore instead of purchasing them. All of my books typically cost the same amount as one single book the graduate students must purchase for their courses.
26. Evaluate your Policies:
Re-evaluate your insurance policies and compare them with rates from other companies to be sure that you are getting the best deal. Also, be sure you are taking advantage of all the offered discounts. For example: State Farm offers a discount for being married, a multi-car discount, a good student discount, as well as a discount for bundling car insurance with renters or home-owner's insurance policies.
27. Free Samples:
I love getting things for free! In fact, it has become a daily ritual of mine to order free samples online from websites like www.target.com, www.walmart.com, www.yofreesamples.com, www.freebiefinders.com, and more. Sure you are only getting a sample size, but if you are getting a sample of shampoo, that is one free wash and you can go an extra shower without having to purchase more shampoo. I have received tons of products like coffee, granola bars, Tums, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, laundry detergent, toothpaste, post-it notes, etc. I love Freebies!
28. Tune-Up:
Keeping your tires properly inflated and keeping your engine tuned up will save you money at the pump.
29. Slow Down:
Keeping your speed at 55 miles per hour or slower will save you money on gas. Also opt for using cruise control when on the highway.
30. Turn off The AC:
When city driving, it will save you money on gas to shut off the AC and open the windows. When you are on the highway, it is more efficient to roll up with windows and use the AC or vent.
31. Walk Whenever Possible:
We currently live in a pretty central location next to a gas station, the library, a laundry mat, dollar store, restaurants, hair salon, post office, police station, etc. Instead of driving when I need a gallon of milk, need to do some research for school, pick up some stamps, get a hair cut, or if we are grabbing a bite to eat, we will walk down the street instead of driving.
32. No More Land-Line:
Why are you still paying for two phone lines? We got rid of our land-line phone and save almost $50 each month. If anyone needs to contact us, they know our cell phone numbers. This way, we can also be reached wherever we may be.
33. Re-Evaluate your TV:
We recently unsubscribed to the movie channels our satellite provider offers. Doing so saves us over $30 each month. We did not really watch them.
34. Cancel Your Cable:
If you are rarely home or almost never watch TV, cancel your cable or satellite subscription. Instead, stream TV on your computer or subscribe to Netflix for only $7.99 each month.
35. RedBox:
Rent movies from RedBox for only $1.20 each night per rental opposed to $5 at your local rental store. You can even sign up for emails at www.redbox.com and they will text you a code for a free one-night movie rental once per month.
OR
36. Rent from the Library:
Refrain from paying rental fees completely by renting movies from your local library.
37. Weather Proof:
Make sure all of your windows and doors are properly sealed in your home to keep the cold air out in the winter and the cool air in during the summer.
38. Unplug:
We went around our apartment and unplugged unused electronics like our microwave, toaster, stereo system, and desk top computer. After we did this, our electric bill decreased by about $10 each month. To make this easier, plug all of your electronics into power strips and just unplug the power strip. Anything that is plugged in and/or using a light, regardless of if the item is in use or not, is sucking electricity and costing you money. Even your cell phone or laptop charger that you leave plugged in is costing you money.
39. Line Dry:
When the weather is nice, I opt for line drying our clothing on our back deck. It is free! Refraining from using the dryer during the summer months will also keep your home cooler. If you do not like how "crispy" feeling clothing can get during line drying, toss your clothing into the dryer for the last 5 minutes of drying time with a damp towel.
40. Catch Rain Water:
Place buckets out in the yard next time it rains or place a barrel underneath your rain spouts to collect rain water. Use this rain water to water your garden, give your dog a bath, or wash your car. It is a free source of water.
41. Save the Pasta Water:
Instead of letting cooking water flow down the drain, use it to water your plants.
42. Carpool:
If you live near people you work or go to school with, start a carpool to save money. If you have kids, start a carpool to school, soccer practice, or dance class with other parents to save money.
43. GasBuddy:
This is a free smart phone app that can tell you where to find the cheapest gasoline wherever you're at or wherever you're going.
44. Break out that Green Thumb:
Plant a garden complete with veggies, fruits, and herbs. I usually do not buy produce at the store because it is pricy and it never stays good for long. However, due to some health issues I am on a special diet that requires these fresh foods. Instead of spending money on them, we planted a garden and now grow our own tomatoes, zucchini, squash, peppers, blueberries, strawberries, green beans, basil, parsley, oregano, and mint. Since we live in a small third floor apartment, we have these items planted in containers. Find out how to plant your own container garden by reading my DIY Container Garden post coming soon.
45. Meatless Monday:
We have started participating in meatless Monday on a weekly basis. Not because we want to become vegetarians, but because meat is expensive. By refraining from eating meat one day a week, we save about $25 each month. We replace the meat with veggies, potatoes, mushrooms, and a variety of beans.
46. Buy it Whole:
Buy whole chickens and turkeys and but them into parts when you get home. Buy whole cuts of beef instead of buying ground beef. If you have a mixer with a grinder attachment, grind your own beef. The same goes for snacks. Purchase snack like chips, crackers, and cookies in bulk and split them up into single-serving packages. Purchase fruits and veggies whole and slice them up yourself. This will save you more than you think. You are charged more for the convenience of splitting products up into single-servings, single cuts, etc. It is so easy to do this yourself!
47. Left Over Night:
We have left over night for dinner one night a week. This is usually on Monday because Thomas and I both have classes on Monday nights. I will heat up left overs from the past couple nights and we eat those instead of preparing a whole new meal.
48. Double your Recipe:
I always double cheap recipes for soups, pizza, pasta, rice, etc. This way, I can take leftovers for lunch the next day and I will not be tempted to spend money on fast food.
49. Ditch the Plastic Bottle:
I purchased reusable water bottles and stopped buying bottled water. It costs less money and produces less waste. We just fill up our water bottles at the nearest water fountain or use our water filter.
50. Use Cloth Napkins:
Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins or paper towels and save anywhere fro $4-$12 each month. These can be washed (in cold water) and dried (outside on a clothes line) and reused. This is also a great way to reduce waste.
51. Less Shampoo:
Use less shampoo and conditioner by washing your hair every other day instead of every day. In doing this, I have found that my hair falls out a lot less than it did before. In addition, styling "day-old" hair is much easier than freshly washed hair.
52. Use Rags:
We use old t-shirts as rags instead of paper towels to clean our apartment. Not only are you saving money, but you are reducing waste. Thomas will also use rags outside to work on his car instead of paper towels.
53. Clothing Swap:
Instead of buying new clothing for your children, host clothing swaps with other moms in your community to save everyone money! Kids grow out of clothing so quickly, there is no way I will be buying new clothing all the time when Thomas and I have kids!
54. DIY Baby Food:
If you have a blender or a food processor, you can make your own baby food. If you also grow your own fruits and veggies, this idea will be even more inexpensive for you.
55. DIY Haircuts:
Thomas keeps his hair short because he works outside. Instead of spending $10 on a hair cut every month, he invested in a pair of clippers. Now I cut his hair for free every month saving us about $120 every year!
56. Cloth Diapers:
Use cloth diapers instead of buying disposable diapers. My mom used these when my sisters and I wore diapers. After we were potty trained, she used the old cloth diapers for dusting furniture and cleaning the house.
57. Pot Luck:
Instead of going out to be with friends, invite them over for dinner. Have everyone bring a dish and their favorite board game or movie. This makes for a very enjoyable and inexpensive evening.
58. Party from Home:
Host birthday parties at home instead of paying to rent a venue. You will save big bucks!
59. Cancel your Gym Memberships:
If you are paying for a gym membership, you are wasting your money. Instead, go for a walk, jog, or a bike ride outside. I am spoiled where we live because we have a whole system of bike trails that lead to parks, the library, stores, and even the school I attend. You can also find free workout videos online instead of paying for group workouts.
60. Cancel Subscriptions:
I cancelled everything except for our Sunday paper (for the coupon inserts of course). You can read newspapers and magazines online, most of the time for free. Why would you pay for a subscription in this case?
61. Shop around before making large purchases. Also plan all purchases...no impulse!
62. Buy Generic Brands:
We only purchase generic brand foods because they are typically cheaper. The only time I purchase name brands over generic brands is when I have a coupon that makes the name brand cheaper.
63. Open the Windows:
During the fall and spring months, we turn off the air conditioner and open the windows. We probably go 2-4 months out of the year without using and form of AC or heat.
64. Turn Down the Heat:
During the winter we hardly ever use our heat. Instead of spending the money on heating our apartment, we throw on a sweatshirt, make a warm meal for dinner, and cuddle up under a blanket. We still stay warm, but we are not going broke paying an outrageous heating bill. We also live on the top floor (remember heat rises), so it never really gets uncomfortable.
65. Cut Back on Alcohol:
This is difficult at times being a college student, but alcohol is expensive so we have cut our consumption down to a minimum.
66. Quit Smoking:
Not only will this be extra money in your pocket every month from not buying cigarettes, but your health insurance rates will decrease as well.
67. Reusable Shopping Bags:
Use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags from the store. Some stores, like Target, will actually give you a discount when you use their shopping bags because they're not spending money to package your purchases in plastic shopping bags. The discounts are usually small (I think Targets is about 10 cents) but when you're saving for a wedding and a house, every penny counts.
68. Portion Control:
Practice better portion control when you eat your meals. In addition to dropping unwanted pounds, you will also spend less at the grocery store.
69. Freezer Club:
Get a group of friends together and start a freezer club. Here's how it works: make and freeze meals ahead of time, get together with your friends, and trade meals. This way, you are saving tons of money at the store, the meals are always ready to go so you're not tempted to eat out, they're frozen so they will not go bad, and you're trading meals with friends so you will have variety.
70. No Electricity Night:
We try to have a no electricity night at least twice each month to cut down on electricity costs. Instead of watching TV, playing video games, or surfing the web all night, we will take a candle-lit bubble bath together, spend the night stargazing, read, play board games, go for a walk, etc. For dinner we will grill using a charcoal grill or roast hot dogs and marshmallows. Not only will this help your wallet, but it will probably help your relationship too!
71. Shorter Shower:
Take shorter showers to shave money off of your water bill. If taking a shorter shower isn't an option, try showering with your partner. We typically do this about once each week.
72. Invest in Rechargeable Batteries:
If you have purchased batteries lately, you know have expensive they have gotten. Instead of buying batteries, invest in a good battery charger. Energizer sells battery chargers that come with both AA and AAA rechargeable batteries for under $20. We go through a lot of batteries between calculators, TV remotes, and XBOX controllers so this tip saves us tons of money.
73. Cheap Meals:
Keep a binder full of recipes for cheap meals. For some great ideas, check out my recipe posts.
74. Fill the Freezer:
If your freezer is somewhat empty, fill it with jugs of water. It is cheaper to keep a full freezer cold than it is an empty one!
75. Shut off the water when you're brushing your teeth.
76. Re-use:
We wash and reuse Ziplock baggies as well as the plastic containers you get when you purchase items like lunch meat, butter, sour cream, yogurt, Chinese takeout, etc. These all make great tupperware containers that are perfect for freezing meals, storing leftovers, and packing your lunch for work or school.
77. Dump the Trash Bags:
We no longer purchase trash bags. Instead, we use plastic and paper bags from the grocery store to line the trash cans in our apartment.
78. Stock Up at Fast Food Restaurants:
This one may be a little too extreme for some, but I find it saves us tons of money every year. When we go to fast food restaurants, we always grab extra ketchup packets, mayo packets, mustard packets, straws, utensils, napkins, hot sauce, salt, pepper, jelly, BBQ sauce, and sugar packets. The more you stock up on at the restaurants, the less you have to buy. All that money can now go towards paying for our wedding!
79. Ditch Store Credit Cards:
If you must use a credit card, use a major credit card instead of store credit cards. Store cards tend to have extremely high interest rates; nearly double those of major credit cards.
80. Stash of Cash:
During the summer, I work at a frozen custard shop in my home town which pays us tips at the end of every month. Instead of spending these tips, I have been stashing them away in a coffee can to use for our wedding or home down payment.
~ If you do not earn tips at your job, try this instead. I have heard a couple stories now of people stashing away every $5 bill they receive either from change or cashing their paycheck. One women I read about saved up over $4,000 over the course of one year by doing this.
81. Make Your Own Bread:
Try making your own bread instead of buying it in the grocery store. You can make several at a time in different varieties. If you don't use them right away, they will keep in the freezer.
82. Buy Frozen Instead of Canned:
Frozen veggies cost about the same as purchasing canned veggies, but there is more in a package and there is less salt. Frozen fruits are also much cheaper than fresh and you can buy your favorites even with they're not in season. Frozen is the closest you can get to fresh without buying from the produce section. However, with frozen, you do not run the risk of your produce going bad before you get a chance to use it. With frozen fruit, just be sure to purchase the no sugar added varieties.
83. Buy Yogurt in Bulk:
I love using Greek yogurt in place of cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, and sour cream in recipes because it add protein to your meal without loading you up with excess calories. However, Greek yogurt can be pretty pricy in the grocery store. Whenever I have coupons for Greek yogurt, I stock up in order to save money and then pop it in the freezer. Whenever you need some, just defrost a cup!
84. Ask for Discounts:
Many retailers and restaurants offer student and military discounts. If you have the proper ID on you, ask if you get a discount. The worst they can do is tell you no.
85. Garage Sales:
Whenever you need furniture, household items, and clothing, try shopping garage sales or thrift stores first before buying new.
86. Shop Craigslist:
If you need furniture, household items, clothing, car parts, beauty products, etc. shop Craigslist before buying new. Most of these items are in good condition and will save you tons of money. Just be sure to only deal locally, take someone with you, and meet up in a public place.
87. Set Goals:
Make and display a goal chart that will keep you motivated to pinch your pennies. Put a pictures of what you're saving up for on the background of your computer, phone, tablet, etc. Hang a paper thermometer in your home to keep track of how much debt you have paid off. This way you will be able to see your progress and it will keep you motivated to keep going.
88. Mend clothing instead of trashing it. It is incredibly easy to mend a whole in t-shirts, jeans, shorts, and even socks and underwear.
89. Make ground beef go farther by adding an egg and a handful or two of quick oats. Use this meat for things like meatloaf and meatballs.
90. Water Down Cheaper Milk:
Whole milk is cheaper at my local grocery store than skim milk, which is what I prefer to drink. In order to save money, I purchase a gallon of whole milk and split it up between two jugs. After splitting it equally, I fill the rest of the jug with water to make it taste like skim milk. I save over 50% on milk this way.
91. Buy family sized packages of meat instead of single pound packages. The price is typically cheaper than buying individual pounds.
92. Invest in energy star appliances.
93. Make your own personal care products. I already have a few on my blog, but check out the DIY Personal Care post coming soon for a complete list.
94. Freeze leftover herbs with water in an ice cube tray. They will stay fresh longer this way and all you have to do is pop out a cube whenever you need it.
95. Seal joints in heating and AC ducts to avoid leaks.
96. Cover vents in unused rooms with a magnetic mat to force the warm or cool air to rooms you do use. You will be able to run the heat and AC less this way.
97. Use promotional codes when shopping online. My favorite website is www.retailmenot.com. I never order anything online without checking this website first. They also offer a free app for iPhone. Retailmenot offers coupons codes for everything from clothing, shoes, and accessories, to pizza!
98. Re-use your tea bag:
I love to drink tea, especially during the winter. I have found that I can usually steep two mugs full of tea off of a single tea bag so I will save the bag after the first cup when I know I will be wanting a second.
99. Buy in Bulk:
When it comes to non-perishable items, buy in bulk. If I can find a good deal (added bonus if I have a coupon), I will stock up on things like rice, pasta, juice, frozen veggies, toothpaste, toilet paper, candy, etc. Stock up on items that will not go bad when they're on sale.
100. Stock up on school supplies during the back to school sales. This way you will not have to pay full price when a folder tears, a backpack gets lost, or the highlighters dry out.
101. Stock up on wrapping paper and Christmas lights during the after Christmas sale when everything is typically 75%-90% off!
102. Wait until April to purchase cookware. This is typically when the previous year's cookware inventory goes on sale.
103. Stock up on gloves, hats, and scarves during February. This is when all the winter items go on sale to make room for spring and summer apparel.
104. Home appliances typically go on sale during October so the stores can make room for new inventory.
105. New models of digital cameras usually hit stores in the spring. Because of this, "old" models of digital cameras typically hit the sale racks in March.
106. Make cookie dough from scratch instead of buying frozen varieties from the grocery store. Ball it up and toss the balls into freezer safe containers. This way, when you need a quick dessert, have unexpected company, etc. you have a stash of sweets.
107. Stock up on grapes before they go out of season. They keep really well in the freezer. In fact, grapes are actually really, really good frozen!
108. Make pancakes and waffles from scratch and freeze them instead of buying the ones in the box. You will save so much money by doing this if you typically buy frozen waffles.
109. By bagels in bulk when you have a coupon or they're on sale. You can always pop them in the freezer and defrost them when you're ready to serve them.
110. If you have fruit that is going to go bad, bake it into pies. The pies will keep in the freezer. Pull them out for a quick dessert, someone's birthday, or unexpected guests.
111. Whenever I make homemade soups or chili, I double or even triple the recipe and freeze what we do not eat. This is a simple way to have a quick dinner on hand to avoid going out and it also keeps what you cannot eat fresh.
112. Did you know you can freeze milk? It is true as long as it is in a plastic container! Stock up next time its on sale or you have a coupon and freeze it until you need it. Be sure to shake it up after it is defrosted.
113. Place a paper towel in the covered bowl with your salad greens to keep them fresher, longer.
114. Have Bulk Shopping Parties:
Buy items in bulk from stores like Sam's Club. Then invite friends to bring their bulk items over and have a swap meet. This way, you can even save money on parishable items because you will be trading them for other items you need so they will get used before they expire.
115. Buy cheese in bulk:
As long as seal it using a vacuum sealer and defrost it completely before using, it will keep in the freezer.
116. Wear your hair short. You will save money in shampoo, conditioner, and styling products with shorter styles.
117. Make your own pizza at home and freeze it instead of ordering pizza or buying frozen pizzas at the store.
118. Freeze candles before using them. This makes the wax burn longer.
119. Store your panty hose in the freezer. This actually makes it less likely that they will develop a run.
120. Storing batteries in the freezer makes them last longer.
121. If you get a hole in your jeans, cut them into shorts. If you would rather have a skirt, cut the crotch out of the jeans and stitch strips of denim to the bottom like patchwork until you get a skirt in your desired length.
131. Send E-cards instead of buying cards, envelopes, and postage. Most of them are free.
132. Re-Evaluate Your Cell Phone Plan:
Look at your usage history on your cell phone plan. We did this a couple months ago and found out we were only using half of our minutes. If we lowered our plan to one with fewer minutes, we saved about $15 a month and we are still nowhere near going over on minutes.
133. Compare Cell Plans:
Shop around at different cell carriers to see who has the best deal. If you're not, switch.
134. Buy Used Books:
You can find used book online, at your library, at local schools, thrift stores, yard sales, and second hand book shops for much less than buying them new.
135. DIY Oil Changes:
I change the oil in my car myself instead of paying someone else to do it. When I purchase the filter and oil myself, I spend about $15. That is $12 less than going to a small chain like Midas and $18 cheaper than going to a dealership.
136. Go Fishing:
A very inexpensive meat source is fish that you catch yourself, especially if you are experienced in cleaning, de-boning, skinning, and cooking it yourself. It also freezes well.
137. Use up apples before they go bad by making homemade apple sauce, apple butter, or canning apple pie filling. Find recipes on my blog coming soon.
138. Make breakfast burritos and freeze them instead of purchasing fast food or microwave breakfast burritos.
139. Stop Buying Whitening Products:
Instead of paying $45 for a box of teeth whitening strips, swish hydrogen peroxide. This is also great for gum health. Just be sure not to swallow the peroxide. If you're worried about swallowing it, dip a q-tip in peroxide and swab it against your teeth instead. Either way, be sure to brush your teeth right after and be sure to only do this once a week!
140. Grind Your Own Spices:
Buy spices like cinnamon sticks, ginger, nutmeg, etc. whole then grind them yourself with a blender or food processor. Stores charge more for spices that are already ground.
141. Use only free checking and savings accounts.
142. If you must use credit cards, only use cards that have no annual fee.
143. Eat oatmeal instead of cold cereal because it is cheaper.
144. Reuse old bath towels as wash cloths, rags for cleaning the house, washing the car, etc.
145. Take showers instead of baths.
146. Whole coffee beans are cheaper than buying coffee grounds so buy your beans whole, then grind them yourself in a food processor or blender.
147. Buying dried beans is cheaper than buying canned. They will also be healthier because the canned beans contain more sodium.
148. Turn down your hot water heater to conserve energy that will result in saving money.
149. Make your own vanilla extract and dry mixes. See recipes and instructions on my blog coming soon.
150. Groom Your Own Pet:
Even after purchasing a pet brush, nail clippers, a trimmer, and pet shampoo, you're still going to spend less money grooming your pet yourself as opposed to having them professionally groomed. Have your vet teach you how to trim your pets fir and nails.
During the day, I do not use any of the lights in the apartment. I open the blinds and use the natural light from outside. Even on a cloudy day, I can still see well enough to do homework, read, etc.
2. Start a Change Jar:
I refrain from using exact change and always break a dollar. At the end of the day, we deposit all of our change into the change jar. Thomas and I have save up almost $300 for our wedding using a change jar.
3. Use CFL Light Bulbs:
You can get these at Walmart for a very reasonable price. Sometimes you can even find coupons online to save even more. These CFL light bulbs save you money on your electric bill.
4. Use Cold Water:
Use cold water to do your laundry instead of warm or hot. It saves energy and saves you money on your electric bill.
5. Cut Dryer Sheets in Half:
You still get the same softness and freshness with half of the cost.
6. Brown Bag it:
Bring your lunch to work. I do this when I work as well as when I'm at school, and not only with lunch, but with dinner and snacks too. The more meals I bring from home, the less tempted I am to hit up the drive-thru or the vending machines that we all know are way over priced.
7. At Home Brew:
Instead of hitting up Starbucks and spending a minimum of $4 a day on your coffee, brew it at home. You can even make frappuccinos by adding ice, chocolate syrup, and cream or milk to the coffee and blending.
8. Eat Out Less:
Eating at home is so much cheaper, and healthier than eating out all the time. Not to mention the gas it takes to get there.
**FUN FACT: Did you know that McDonald's charges their customers an extra tax for eating in? If you look at your latest receipt, you will see an "Eat In" tax printed at the bottom. It usually costs about 35 cents just to order food and sit in their restaurant to eat it! No thanks!
9. Menu Planning:
Make a meal plan and display it in your home. Then make a list of the items you need from the store to make the items and STICK TO YOUR LIST!
10. Clip Coupons:
You do not have to put as much time into it as the "extreme couponers" on TV do, but clipping coupons could save you hundreds of dollars per month at the grocery store. Check out my couponing post coming soon.
IF YOU MUST GO OUT TO A RESTAURANT
11. Go Out for Lunch or Breakfast Instead:
Prices are much cheaper if you visit a restaurant for breakfast or lunch rather than dinner.
12. Split your meals:
If you're dining with your partner or a friend, try splitting an entree instead of ordering two. This also splits your bill in half!
13. Order Water:
Not only is it healthier for you, but ordering water instead of soda or tea at a restaurant can save you about $2.50 per person!
14. Use Coupons:
Coupons are not just for the grocery store. Try finding restaurant coupons for your next meal out. Sign up for mailing lists to get money saving coupons. We always look at the coupons we have before deciding where we are going to eat. Typically if we do not have a coupon, we do not go.
15. Take Half To-Go:
Ask for a to-go box immediately after your meal arrives. Place half of your meal in the box and take it to work for lunch the next day. Yes you are spending money on eating out, but at least you are getting two meals out of it.
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16. Go Generic:
Switching to a generic brand of the medication I am on saves me over $40 every month! Even some generic and store brand over-the-counter medications can be cheaper. Just be sure to check the ingredient labels to be sure the amounts are the same from brand to brand before purchasing.
17. Balance the Book:
Keep your checkbook balanced to avoid over drafting your checking account. At some of the banks we use, over draft fees can be as high as $35 per transaction.
18. No Late Fees:
Pay your bills on time to avoid paying late fees or increased interest. We use a spread sheet every month to help us keep track of our monthly bills. You can easily make these yourself, or find templates online for free.
19. Pay More:
Making more than the minimum payment on your credit cards or make multiple payments per month. This pays down your balance quicker and saves you money on interest. Just be sure to read your card-holder's policy on multiple payments. Some charge fees for making extra payments in a month. For example, on one of my Visa cards, they only allow me to make 4 payments each month before they charge me a fee.
20. No ATM Fees:
Only use your bank's ATM to withdraw money from your accounts to avoid ATM fees. I've seen ATM fees cost anywhere from $1.50 to $3.00 per transaction.
21. Invest in an Entertainment Book:
Entertainment books cost $35 each. If you wait a few weeks to purchase one, the prices will drop and sometimes shipping charges will also be waived. Entertainment books can easily save you hundreds if you go out to eat or visit local attractions. The coupons in this book can also save you money on clothing! These books save you so much money that it pays for itself. I love my local Entertainment book because it offers 6 coupons for $5 off a $50+ purchase at one of my favorite grocery stores within the first couple of pages. That is $30 in savings right off the bat!
22. DIY Cleaners:
Making your own household cleaners can be so much cheaper than buying commercial cleaners. In addition, you know exactly what you are introducing into your environment. See my list of DIY cleaners coming soon.
23. Birthday Freebies:
Many restaurants and stores offer birthday savings when you sign up for email newsletters. This is a great way to enjoy your birthday at a very low price, or even free! See my list of birthday freebies coming soon.
24. Get Good Grades:
Being a good student can have its perks. The main perk we take advantage of is the car insurance discount. Kids can also get a free game of bowling at AMF Lanes. Some restaurants offer discounts on kids meals when you show a good report card.
25. Rent your Textbooks:
Try renting your textbooks instead of purchasing them. At the school I attend, all undergraduate students rent their textbooks from the bookstore instead of purchasing them. All of my books typically cost the same amount as one single book the graduate students must purchase for their courses.
26. Evaluate your Policies:
Re-evaluate your insurance policies and compare them with rates from other companies to be sure that you are getting the best deal. Also, be sure you are taking advantage of all the offered discounts. For example: State Farm offers a discount for being married, a multi-car discount, a good student discount, as well as a discount for bundling car insurance with renters or home-owner's insurance policies.
27. Free Samples:
I love getting things for free! In fact, it has become a daily ritual of mine to order free samples online from websites like www.target.com, www.walmart.com, www.yofreesamples.com, www.freebiefinders.com, and more. Sure you are only getting a sample size, but if you are getting a sample of shampoo, that is one free wash and you can go an extra shower without having to purchase more shampoo. I have received tons of products like coffee, granola bars, Tums, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, laundry detergent, toothpaste, post-it notes, etc. I love Freebies!
28. Tune-Up:
Keeping your tires properly inflated and keeping your engine tuned up will save you money at the pump.
29. Slow Down:
Keeping your speed at 55 miles per hour or slower will save you money on gas. Also opt for using cruise control when on the highway.
30. Turn off The AC:
When city driving, it will save you money on gas to shut off the AC and open the windows. When you are on the highway, it is more efficient to roll up with windows and use the AC or vent.
31. Walk Whenever Possible:
We currently live in a pretty central location next to a gas station, the library, a laundry mat, dollar store, restaurants, hair salon, post office, police station, etc. Instead of driving when I need a gallon of milk, need to do some research for school, pick up some stamps, get a hair cut, or if we are grabbing a bite to eat, we will walk down the street instead of driving.
32. No More Land-Line:
Why are you still paying for two phone lines? We got rid of our land-line phone and save almost $50 each month. If anyone needs to contact us, they know our cell phone numbers. This way, we can also be reached wherever we may be.
33. Re-Evaluate your TV:
We recently unsubscribed to the movie channels our satellite provider offers. Doing so saves us over $30 each month. We did not really watch them.
34. Cancel Your Cable:
If you are rarely home or almost never watch TV, cancel your cable or satellite subscription. Instead, stream TV on your computer or subscribe to Netflix for only $7.99 each month.
35. RedBox:
Rent movies from RedBox for only $1.20 each night per rental opposed to $5 at your local rental store. You can even sign up for emails at www.redbox.com and they will text you a code for a free one-night movie rental once per month.
OR
36. Rent from the Library:
Refrain from paying rental fees completely by renting movies from your local library.
37. Weather Proof:
Make sure all of your windows and doors are properly sealed in your home to keep the cold air out in the winter and the cool air in during the summer.
38. Unplug:
We went around our apartment and unplugged unused electronics like our microwave, toaster, stereo system, and desk top computer. After we did this, our electric bill decreased by about $10 each month. To make this easier, plug all of your electronics into power strips and just unplug the power strip. Anything that is plugged in and/or using a light, regardless of if the item is in use or not, is sucking electricity and costing you money. Even your cell phone or laptop charger that you leave plugged in is costing you money.
39. Line Dry:
When the weather is nice, I opt for line drying our clothing on our back deck. It is free! Refraining from using the dryer during the summer months will also keep your home cooler. If you do not like how "crispy" feeling clothing can get during line drying, toss your clothing into the dryer for the last 5 minutes of drying time with a damp towel.
40. Catch Rain Water:
Place buckets out in the yard next time it rains or place a barrel underneath your rain spouts to collect rain water. Use this rain water to water your garden, give your dog a bath, or wash your car. It is a free source of water.
41. Save the Pasta Water:
Instead of letting cooking water flow down the drain, use it to water your plants.
42. Carpool:
If you live near people you work or go to school with, start a carpool to save money. If you have kids, start a carpool to school, soccer practice, or dance class with other parents to save money.
43. GasBuddy:
This is a free smart phone app that can tell you where to find the cheapest gasoline wherever you're at or wherever you're going.
44. Break out that Green Thumb:
Plant a garden complete with veggies, fruits, and herbs. I usually do not buy produce at the store because it is pricy and it never stays good for long. However, due to some health issues I am on a special diet that requires these fresh foods. Instead of spending money on them, we planted a garden and now grow our own tomatoes, zucchini, squash, peppers, blueberries, strawberries, green beans, basil, parsley, oregano, and mint. Since we live in a small third floor apartment, we have these items planted in containers. Find out how to plant your own container garden by reading my DIY Container Garden post coming soon.
45. Meatless Monday:
We have started participating in meatless Monday on a weekly basis. Not because we want to become vegetarians, but because meat is expensive. By refraining from eating meat one day a week, we save about $25 each month. We replace the meat with veggies, potatoes, mushrooms, and a variety of beans.
46. Buy it Whole:
Buy whole chickens and turkeys and but them into parts when you get home. Buy whole cuts of beef instead of buying ground beef. If you have a mixer with a grinder attachment, grind your own beef. The same goes for snacks. Purchase snack like chips, crackers, and cookies in bulk and split them up into single-serving packages. Purchase fruits and veggies whole and slice them up yourself. This will save you more than you think. You are charged more for the convenience of splitting products up into single-servings, single cuts, etc. It is so easy to do this yourself!
47. Left Over Night:
We have left over night for dinner one night a week. This is usually on Monday because Thomas and I both have classes on Monday nights. I will heat up left overs from the past couple nights and we eat those instead of preparing a whole new meal.
48. Double your Recipe:
I always double cheap recipes for soups, pizza, pasta, rice, etc. This way, I can take leftovers for lunch the next day and I will not be tempted to spend money on fast food.
49. Ditch the Plastic Bottle:
I purchased reusable water bottles and stopped buying bottled water. It costs less money and produces less waste. We just fill up our water bottles at the nearest water fountain or use our water filter.
50. Use Cloth Napkins:
Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins or paper towels and save anywhere fro $4-$12 each month. These can be washed (in cold water) and dried (outside on a clothes line) and reused. This is also a great way to reduce waste.
51. Less Shampoo:
Use less shampoo and conditioner by washing your hair every other day instead of every day. In doing this, I have found that my hair falls out a lot less than it did before. In addition, styling "day-old" hair is much easier than freshly washed hair.
52. Use Rags:
We use old t-shirts as rags instead of paper towels to clean our apartment. Not only are you saving money, but you are reducing waste. Thomas will also use rags outside to work on his car instead of paper towels.
53. Clothing Swap:
Instead of buying new clothing for your children, host clothing swaps with other moms in your community to save everyone money! Kids grow out of clothing so quickly, there is no way I will be buying new clothing all the time when Thomas and I have kids!
54. DIY Baby Food:
If you have a blender or a food processor, you can make your own baby food. If you also grow your own fruits and veggies, this idea will be even more inexpensive for you.
55. DIY Haircuts:
Thomas keeps his hair short because he works outside. Instead of spending $10 on a hair cut every month, he invested in a pair of clippers. Now I cut his hair for free every month saving us about $120 every year!
56. Cloth Diapers:
Use cloth diapers instead of buying disposable diapers. My mom used these when my sisters and I wore diapers. After we were potty trained, she used the old cloth diapers for dusting furniture and cleaning the house.
57. Pot Luck:
Instead of going out to be with friends, invite them over for dinner. Have everyone bring a dish and their favorite board game or movie. This makes for a very enjoyable and inexpensive evening.
58. Party from Home:
Host birthday parties at home instead of paying to rent a venue. You will save big bucks!
59. Cancel your Gym Memberships:
If you are paying for a gym membership, you are wasting your money. Instead, go for a walk, jog, or a bike ride outside. I am spoiled where we live because we have a whole system of bike trails that lead to parks, the library, stores, and even the school I attend. You can also find free workout videos online instead of paying for group workouts.
60. Cancel Subscriptions:
I cancelled everything except for our Sunday paper (for the coupon inserts of course). You can read newspapers and magazines online, most of the time for free. Why would you pay for a subscription in this case?
61. Shop around before making large purchases. Also plan all purchases...no impulse!
62. Buy Generic Brands:
We only purchase generic brand foods because they are typically cheaper. The only time I purchase name brands over generic brands is when I have a coupon that makes the name brand cheaper.
63. Open the Windows:
During the fall and spring months, we turn off the air conditioner and open the windows. We probably go 2-4 months out of the year without using and form of AC or heat.
64. Turn Down the Heat:
During the winter we hardly ever use our heat. Instead of spending the money on heating our apartment, we throw on a sweatshirt, make a warm meal for dinner, and cuddle up under a blanket. We still stay warm, but we are not going broke paying an outrageous heating bill. We also live on the top floor (remember heat rises), so it never really gets uncomfortable.
65. Cut Back on Alcohol:
This is difficult at times being a college student, but alcohol is expensive so we have cut our consumption down to a minimum.
66. Quit Smoking:
Not only will this be extra money in your pocket every month from not buying cigarettes, but your health insurance rates will decrease as well.
67. Reusable Shopping Bags:
Use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags from the store. Some stores, like Target, will actually give you a discount when you use their shopping bags because they're not spending money to package your purchases in plastic shopping bags. The discounts are usually small (I think Targets is about 10 cents) but when you're saving for a wedding and a house, every penny counts.
68. Portion Control:
Practice better portion control when you eat your meals. In addition to dropping unwanted pounds, you will also spend less at the grocery store.
69. Freezer Club:
Get a group of friends together and start a freezer club. Here's how it works: make and freeze meals ahead of time, get together with your friends, and trade meals. This way, you are saving tons of money at the store, the meals are always ready to go so you're not tempted to eat out, they're frozen so they will not go bad, and you're trading meals with friends so you will have variety.
70. No Electricity Night:
We try to have a no electricity night at least twice each month to cut down on electricity costs. Instead of watching TV, playing video games, or surfing the web all night, we will take a candle-lit bubble bath together, spend the night stargazing, read, play board games, go for a walk, etc. For dinner we will grill using a charcoal grill or roast hot dogs and marshmallows. Not only will this help your wallet, but it will probably help your relationship too!
71. Shorter Shower:
Take shorter showers to shave money off of your water bill. If taking a shorter shower isn't an option, try showering with your partner. We typically do this about once each week.
72. Invest in Rechargeable Batteries:
If you have purchased batteries lately, you know have expensive they have gotten. Instead of buying batteries, invest in a good battery charger. Energizer sells battery chargers that come with both AA and AAA rechargeable batteries for under $20. We go through a lot of batteries between calculators, TV remotes, and XBOX controllers so this tip saves us tons of money.
73. Cheap Meals:
Keep a binder full of recipes for cheap meals. For some great ideas, check out my recipe posts.
74. Fill the Freezer:
If your freezer is somewhat empty, fill it with jugs of water. It is cheaper to keep a full freezer cold than it is an empty one!
75. Shut off the water when you're brushing your teeth.
76. Re-use:
We wash and reuse Ziplock baggies as well as the plastic containers you get when you purchase items like lunch meat, butter, sour cream, yogurt, Chinese takeout, etc. These all make great tupperware containers that are perfect for freezing meals, storing leftovers, and packing your lunch for work or school.
77. Dump the Trash Bags:
We no longer purchase trash bags. Instead, we use plastic and paper bags from the grocery store to line the trash cans in our apartment.
78. Stock Up at Fast Food Restaurants:
This one may be a little too extreme for some, but I find it saves us tons of money every year. When we go to fast food restaurants, we always grab extra ketchup packets, mayo packets, mustard packets, straws, utensils, napkins, hot sauce, salt, pepper, jelly, BBQ sauce, and sugar packets. The more you stock up on at the restaurants, the less you have to buy. All that money can now go towards paying for our wedding!
79. Ditch Store Credit Cards:
If you must use a credit card, use a major credit card instead of store credit cards. Store cards tend to have extremely high interest rates; nearly double those of major credit cards.
80. Stash of Cash:
During the summer, I work at a frozen custard shop in my home town which pays us tips at the end of every month. Instead of spending these tips, I have been stashing them away in a coffee can to use for our wedding or home down payment.
~ If you do not earn tips at your job, try this instead. I have heard a couple stories now of people stashing away every $5 bill they receive either from change or cashing their paycheck. One women I read about saved up over $4,000 over the course of one year by doing this.
81. Make Your Own Bread:
Try making your own bread instead of buying it in the grocery store. You can make several at a time in different varieties. If you don't use them right away, they will keep in the freezer.
82. Buy Frozen Instead of Canned:
Frozen veggies cost about the same as purchasing canned veggies, but there is more in a package and there is less salt. Frozen fruits are also much cheaper than fresh and you can buy your favorites even with they're not in season. Frozen is the closest you can get to fresh without buying from the produce section. However, with frozen, you do not run the risk of your produce going bad before you get a chance to use it. With frozen fruit, just be sure to purchase the no sugar added varieties.
83. Buy Yogurt in Bulk:
I love using Greek yogurt in place of cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, and sour cream in recipes because it add protein to your meal without loading you up with excess calories. However, Greek yogurt can be pretty pricy in the grocery store. Whenever I have coupons for Greek yogurt, I stock up in order to save money and then pop it in the freezer. Whenever you need some, just defrost a cup!
84. Ask for Discounts:
Many retailers and restaurants offer student and military discounts. If you have the proper ID on you, ask if you get a discount. The worst they can do is tell you no.
85. Garage Sales:
Whenever you need furniture, household items, and clothing, try shopping garage sales or thrift stores first before buying new.
86. Shop Craigslist:
If you need furniture, household items, clothing, car parts, beauty products, etc. shop Craigslist before buying new. Most of these items are in good condition and will save you tons of money. Just be sure to only deal locally, take someone with you, and meet up in a public place.
87. Set Goals:
Make and display a goal chart that will keep you motivated to pinch your pennies. Put a pictures of what you're saving up for on the background of your computer, phone, tablet, etc. Hang a paper thermometer in your home to keep track of how much debt you have paid off. This way you will be able to see your progress and it will keep you motivated to keep going.
88. Mend clothing instead of trashing it. It is incredibly easy to mend a whole in t-shirts, jeans, shorts, and even socks and underwear.
89. Make ground beef go farther by adding an egg and a handful or two of quick oats. Use this meat for things like meatloaf and meatballs.
90. Water Down Cheaper Milk:
Whole milk is cheaper at my local grocery store than skim milk, which is what I prefer to drink. In order to save money, I purchase a gallon of whole milk and split it up between two jugs. After splitting it equally, I fill the rest of the jug with water to make it taste like skim milk. I save over 50% on milk this way.
91. Buy family sized packages of meat instead of single pound packages. The price is typically cheaper than buying individual pounds.
92. Invest in energy star appliances.
93. Make your own personal care products. I already have a few on my blog, but check out the DIY Personal Care post coming soon for a complete list.
94. Freeze leftover herbs with water in an ice cube tray. They will stay fresh longer this way and all you have to do is pop out a cube whenever you need it.
95. Seal joints in heating and AC ducts to avoid leaks.
96. Cover vents in unused rooms with a magnetic mat to force the warm or cool air to rooms you do use. You will be able to run the heat and AC less this way.
97. Use promotional codes when shopping online. My favorite website is www.retailmenot.com. I never order anything online without checking this website first. They also offer a free app for iPhone. Retailmenot offers coupons codes for everything from clothing, shoes, and accessories, to pizza!
98. Re-use your tea bag:
I love to drink tea, especially during the winter. I have found that I can usually steep two mugs full of tea off of a single tea bag so I will save the bag after the first cup when I know I will be wanting a second.
99. Buy in Bulk:
When it comes to non-perishable items, buy in bulk. If I can find a good deal (added bonus if I have a coupon), I will stock up on things like rice, pasta, juice, frozen veggies, toothpaste, toilet paper, candy, etc. Stock up on items that will not go bad when they're on sale.
100. Stock up on school supplies during the back to school sales. This way you will not have to pay full price when a folder tears, a backpack gets lost, or the highlighters dry out.
101. Stock up on wrapping paper and Christmas lights during the after Christmas sale when everything is typically 75%-90% off!
102. Wait until April to purchase cookware. This is typically when the previous year's cookware inventory goes on sale.
103. Stock up on gloves, hats, and scarves during February. This is when all the winter items go on sale to make room for spring and summer apparel.
104. Home appliances typically go on sale during October so the stores can make room for new inventory.
105. New models of digital cameras usually hit stores in the spring. Because of this, "old" models of digital cameras typically hit the sale racks in March.
106. Make cookie dough from scratch instead of buying frozen varieties from the grocery store. Ball it up and toss the balls into freezer safe containers. This way, when you need a quick dessert, have unexpected company, etc. you have a stash of sweets.
107. Stock up on grapes before they go out of season. They keep really well in the freezer. In fact, grapes are actually really, really good frozen!
108. Make pancakes and waffles from scratch and freeze them instead of buying the ones in the box. You will save so much money by doing this if you typically buy frozen waffles.
109. By bagels in bulk when you have a coupon or they're on sale. You can always pop them in the freezer and defrost them when you're ready to serve them.
110. If you have fruit that is going to go bad, bake it into pies. The pies will keep in the freezer. Pull them out for a quick dessert, someone's birthday, or unexpected guests.
111. Whenever I make homemade soups or chili, I double or even triple the recipe and freeze what we do not eat. This is a simple way to have a quick dinner on hand to avoid going out and it also keeps what you cannot eat fresh.
112. Did you know you can freeze milk? It is true as long as it is in a plastic container! Stock up next time its on sale or you have a coupon and freeze it until you need it. Be sure to shake it up after it is defrosted.
113. Place a paper towel in the covered bowl with your salad greens to keep them fresher, longer.
114. Have Bulk Shopping Parties:
Buy items in bulk from stores like Sam's Club. Then invite friends to bring their bulk items over and have a swap meet. This way, you can even save money on parishable items because you will be trading them for other items you need so they will get used before they expire.
115. Buy cheese in bulk:
As long as seal it using a vacuum sealer and defrost it completely before using, it will keep in the freezer.
116. Wear your hair short. You will save money in shampoo, conditioner, and styling products with shorter styles.
117. Make your own pizza at home and freeze it instead of ordering pizza or buying frozen pizzas at the store.
118. Freeze candles before using them. This makes the wax burn longer.
119. Store your panty hose in the freezer. This actually makes it less likely that they will develop a run.
120. Storing batteries in the freezer makes them last longer.
121. If you get a hole in your jeans, cut them into shorts. If you would rather have a skirt, cut the crotch out of the jeans and stitch strips of denim to the bottom like patchwork until you get a skirt in your desired length.
131. Send E-cards instead of buying cards, envelopes, and postage. Most of them are free.
132. Re-Evaluate Your Cell Phone Plan:
Look at your usage history on your cell phone plan. We did this a couple months ago and found out we were only using half of our minutes. If we lowered our plan to one with fewer minutes, we saved about $15 a month and we are still nowhere near going over on minutes.
133. Compare Cell Plans:
Shop around at different cell carriers to see who has the best deal. If you're not, switch.
134. Buy Used Books:
You can find used book online, at your library, at local schools, thrift stores, yard sales, and second hand book shops for much less than buying them new.
135. DIY Oil Changes:
I change the oil in my car myself instead of paying someone else to do it. When I purchase the filter and oil myself, I spend about $15. That is $12 less than going to a small chain like Midas and $18 cheaper than going to a dealership.
136. Go Fishing:
A very inexpensive meat source is fish that you catch yourself, especially if you are experienced in cleaning, de-boning, skinning, and cooking it yourself. It also freezes well.
137. Use up apples before they go bad by making homemade apple sauce, apple butter, or canning apple pie filling. Find recipes on my blog coming soon.
138. Make breakfast burritos and freeze them instead of purchasing fast food or microwave breakfast burritos.
139. Stop Buying Whitening Products:
Instead of paying $45 for a box of teeth whitening strips, swish hydrogen peroxide. This is also great for gum health. Just be sure not to swallow the peroxide. If you're worried about swallowing it, dip a q-tip in peroxide and swab it against your teeth instead. Either way, be sure to brush your teeth right after and be sure to only do this once a week!
140. Grind Your Own Spices:
Buy spices like cinnamon sticks, ginger, nutmeg, etc. whole then grind them yourself with a blender or food processor. Stores charge more for spices that are already ground.
141. Use only free checking and savings accounts.
142. If you must use credit cards, only use cards that have no annual fee.
143. Eat oatmeal instead of cold cereal because it is cheaper.
144. Reuse old bath towels as wash cloths, rags for cleaning the house, washing the car, etc.
145. Take showers instead of baths.
146. Whole coffee beans are cheaper than buying coffee grounds so buy your beans whole, then grind them yourself in a food processor or blender.
147. Buying dried beans is cheaper than buying canned. They will also be healthier because the canned beans contain more sodium.
148. Turn down your hot water heater to conserve energy that will result in saving money.
149. Make your own vanilla extract and dry mixes. See recipes and instructions on my blog coming soon.
150. Groom Your Own Pet:
Even after purchasing a pet brush, nail clippers, a trimmer, and pet shampoo, you're still going to spend less money grooming your pet yourself as opposed to having them professionally groomed. Have your vet teach you how to trim your pets fir and nails.
Revamp
I am revamping my savings plan to accommodate some new goals for 2013. A lot has happened since I posted last.
First of all...I got engaged!!!
Thomas proposed on October 27, 2012, at my favorite winery in Grafton, Illinois! We are now planning a June 2014 wedding.
In addition to planning and paying for our wedding, we are also making plans to purchase our first home. However, before we can pay for our wedding, save up to make a down payment on a house, and qualify for a home loan, we first need to pay off all of our debts. We currently both have credit card debt and Thomas has an auto loan.
Saving money is now more important that ever! We figured that in order to pay off all of our debt, pay for our wedding, and put a down payment on a house, we will need about $42,000 (this is an over-estimation, but I always recommend over-estimating). However, that is about what our combined annual is income averages out to be. There is only 16 months until our wedding, so we will need to be setting back at least $2,625 per month in order to meet all of our goals.
All of the posts from now on are tried and true ways that Thomas and I are using in order to save money. Happy Saving!
First of all...I got engaged!!!
Thomas proposed on October 27, 2012, at my favorite winery in Grafton, Illinois! We are now planning a June 2014 wedding.
In addition to planning and paying for our wedding, we are also making plans to purchase our first home. However, before we can pay for our wedding, save up to make a down payment on a house, and qualify for a home loan, we first need to pay off all of our debts. We currently both have credit card debt and Thomas has an auto loan.
Saving money is now more important that ever! We figured that in order to pay off all of our debt, pay for our wedding, and put a down payment on a house, we will need about $42,000 (this is an over-estimation, but I always recommend over-estimating). However, that is about what our combined annual is income averages out to be. There is only 16 months until our wedding, so we will need to be setting back at least $2,625 per month in order to meet all of our goals.
All of the posts from now on are tried and true ways that Thomas and I are using in order to save money. Happy Saving!
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