Welcome to Day #14 ofmy 20 Day Budget Challenge!
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20 Day Budget Challenge
Today, I’m going to share with you one of my favorite days and give you a quick list of 20 easy ways to save money!
Some of these you are probably already doing. But some of these are a bit outside of the box, so hopefully will inspire you to pinch in ways you haven’t thought of before.
Here are 20 easy ways to save money today:
1. Use coupons
Check out Couponing 101 if you are a coupon newbie! 🙂
Also – since paper coupons are becoming a thing of the past – be sure to utilize money-saving apps on your smartphone!
2. When shopping online, use cash back sites like Ebates
I have been a member on Ebates since 2009 and have earned $585.21.
3. Buy refurbished
I have a Dyson vacuum cleaner that I LOVE! But the only way I could afford one at the time of purchase was to get refurbished. If you don’t mind slightly used for great products, this can be a huge money saver!
I do recommend doing some research about the brand that you want to purchase refurbished. Read some reviews about the gadgets and appliances, for example,Breville Toaster Ovens before you buy this brand. It only allows you to know better what you are about to purchase.
4. Get name brand clothing at thrift stores, like Plato’s Closet.
I hit my local store recently and got a cute Aeropostale shirt for $3!
5. Find promo codes for online purchases.
You know how when you are checking out, you usually see a box where you can fill in a promo code? A site that I’m liking right now to find online promo codes is Dealspotr.com because they will reward you with Amazon gift cards if you share deals and promo codes!
6. Sell your stuff.
If you haven’t read this already, read how to Earn Extra Cash by Selling Items Around the House. This isn’t to save money directly, but if you sell your stuff, you will have extra cash for an item you have your eye on.
For example: Sell larger ticket items on Ebay.com. Sell books on Half.com. Don’t want to worry about shipping items? Sell locally on Craigslist.com.
Set up your own garage sales. Offer your items to thrift stores that will give you cash for your used goods. Are you crafty? Set up shop on Handmade Amazon like I have!
7. Buy off season.
I have done this all along for clothes for my daughter. When winter ends, I hit the clearance sales, and buy the size she will be in the following winter. I purchase Christmas dresses after Christmas in next years sizes at clearance prices. No way am I paying full price for those “special, possibly wear just once” dresses!
8. Clearance.
Be willing to take the time to scan clearance isles or end caps at stores. You never know what treasure you will find. One time at Bed, Bath & Beyond, I found a half set of dishes that matched the set I already had. I came home with more mugs and plates at a fraction of the cost of the original price.
I also found a broken picture frame clock. I took off the broken clock parts, and still had a very cute picture frame that cost about $3, compared to $24!
9. Shop for gift items all year round!
Whenever I see a deal that looks great, I always think if I can use it as a birthday or Christmas present. I seriously shop for Christmas and birthdays all year round, and usually have gifts months in advance.
You may remember reading about this in Planning Ahead Can Save Big. I’ve had my daughter’s birthday presents for months, and have some ready to go for Christmas as well!
10. Fill Out Online Surveys.
Remember theHow to Save on Entertainment post? That shows you places you can sign up to complete paid online surveys. You an earn anywhere from $5 to $75 for answering surveys online!
11. Do-It-Yourself!
I’m sure everyone is aware that it’s always cheaper to do something yourself, than to pay for someone else to do it. You do have to consider the time trade-off as well. But if you are handy, and the time investment is worth the money savings, then complete projects yourself! Check out all of the craft and DIY projects I have done over here!
12. Get creative – think outside of the box.
Use your freebies for things you may not normally use them for. For example, make a Plarn Tote, Coffee Filter Wreath, or your own Thank You Notes using Shaving Cream and Food Coloring!
13. Buy in bulk and split with a friend.
If you’ve avoided stockpiling, or buying in bulk because your family won’t use that product before it expires, then consider teaming up with a friend or family member and split the costs in half for even more savings!
My sister-in-law has a membership to Costco – and I’ll give her some $ and split some of the food items you can get when you buy in larger quantities!
14. Buy produce in season or grow your own.
We all know buying produce in season makes for a cheaper price. Plus it is just fun to be outside with your family, picking delicious berries that you can freeze and enjoy in the winter! Or be willing to get ugly organic produce for a fraction of the price through Misfits Market.
15. Repair if possible!
I think one way I’m trying to get better at this is with clothing. In the past 6 months, I have had 2 shirts that I really like, but got holes in the armpits. I’ll admit that I’d rather just throw them out, than sew up the stupid hole.
Then I can go shop and replace them. But that’s just lazy – so I sewed up the holes.
This repairing principle obviously applies to many, many things – not just clothing! Or check out my ottoman my cats ruined, but I didn’t put it in the dumpster. I learned how to reupholster it instead!
16. Borrow or trade.
I’ll admit that I like trading better, so I don’t have to keep track of items I may have to give back to a friend in the future. One of my friends used to host a “trade your clothes” party.
We’d all bring items we didn’t want anymore, and then we’d sift through the pile ourselves to see what we wanted. If anything was left over after the party, it was donated to Salvation Army.
17. Go to library.
I take my daughter to storybook hour almost weekly. Last time I went, they showed some really neat kits that had books, puppets, and worksheets for kids. Moms can borrow these kits and keep the kids busy while they are home for the summer. No planning and not a dime spent! Of course there are the movies and books available at the library too. 🙂
18. Be honest about what you need for birthdays/Christmas.
I’m lucky that I have a family where I can be open and honest with and tell what I need/want when it comes to gifts. That way I know I’ll get something I’d probably spend money on myself.
Gifts are usually not a surprise this way, but I never have to worry about putting on that “oh gee thanks” smile when I really don’t mean it. Plus I’m saving money from what would come out of our budget!
19. Drop Cable.
My husband and I don’t have cable TV. Instead we stream movies or shows on Netflix or Amazon(since I have Amazon Prime.) We also jumped on board and recently subscribed to Pureflix.We pay $7.99 a month each for Netflix and Pureflix streaming. We’d have to pay $50+ for cable, and more than half of what is on cable, we’d never watch.
20. At-Home Haircuts.
I have been my husband hairdresser ever since we’ve been married. We have a set of clippers like this one, and I’m the one to buzz his hair every 6 weeks or so. This saves money and time! BUT, I would never let my hubby touch my hair with scissors – so this may not work for everyone in your family. 🙂
BONUS: Have a Budget and Stick to it! This is just another reminder, that keeping track of finances simply just doesn’t work without a budget!
If you keep track of all of your spending by typing in receipt totals into a spread sheet (which is what I do about every other week), you’ll know exactly where your money is going and won’t be shocked when you have less than you thought you did! It makes for guilt free shopping, and a visual motivator for any item you are saving for!
I’d loveloveLOVE to have input from youon even more ways you pinch your pennies! Come tell us what you do over in our Budget Challenge Facebook Group!
