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. 

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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.