Brew your own coffee
Believe it or not, this small luxury can take a big toll on your wallet. Someone who purchases a cup a day from a coffee shop for $1.75 is spending over $600 each year on coffee. A 1lb bag of coffee grounds or beans will make approximately 35 cups of coffee, but only costs around $8. That adds up to a savings of over $500 a year!
Pay yourself by keeping your change
“Find a penny, pick it up…” That old rhyme doesn’t only end with good luck, it also results in savings. Start by giving your house a once over and collecting any change that may be stuck in couch cushions or at the bottom of old duffel bags. Put anything you find into a large container somewhere you’ll see daily. If it’s easier, put smaller containers in several places around the house, so you can drop change from your pockets into them whenever you remember. Over time, these bits of change that would otherwise likely get lost will add up to a sum that you can literally take to the bank.
Take advantage of free online TV and movie sites
Cable bills have gotten to be outrageous. Americans are paying an average of $71 a month just to watch TV. Basic cable can be found at a much lower cost, sometimes even as low as $10 a month. Premium channel shows can often be found online for free (at sites like hulu.com) after the original episode airs, and services like Netflix that cost as little as $4.99 a month, will either mail you a DVD of the show or movie you want to watch or even allow you to download it on you PC.
Return recyclables to save money and the planet
Many states require consumers to pay a deposit when they purchase plastic, glass or aluminum cans or bottles. These deposits can then be gotten back by returning the empty containers to the store. If you live in CA, HI, OR, CT, DE, ME, VT, MA, IA, MI, then you are in luck, as these are the ones who charge a deposit. The usual deposit is five cents, but in some states is ten. Break yourself of the habit of throwing away bottles and cans and get those nickels and dimes back!
More tips to save money…