Change ShortageMy husband and I save our change. It's quicker and more convenient for us to get change back from the clerk than it is to carry change with us. However, there is a change shortage now so when I get a pint jar full, I roll it in coin wrappers and take it to the bank. They are so appreciative to get it. I turned in $46.50 a couple of weeks ago. I was surprised to see it was that much. It does not take long to fill a pint jar.
Hiding Car Coins in Plain SightI rarely buy coffee out but when I do, I have these cups to recycle. One day, I was throwing my change in the console, and this old cup was in there from the day before.
Start Your Financial Year Off RightI am 65 and on SSD. That means money is always tight. Hence the name Poor But Proud. Most of you know me on here and if you think of my tips, they are all based on saving money.
Take Advantage of Senior DiscountsMy parents have a list of shops in their area that offer senior discounts. Some are valid every day, some are one day a week, some are one day a month. The discounts can vary from 10 to 25 percent off, and most don't require you to sign up for a free membership.
Why a Budget is Like a ShowerI recently read an article from Readers Digest about a writer who decided he and his wife and son should try and not spend any money for a month. Of course the essentials were covered like mortgage and car payments/insurance and the like, but newspapers, videos, lattes, etc were cut. essay.
Give Yourself a Second Payday With CoinsI know everyone is aware of the Coinstar machines in nearly every grocery store, and everyone is aware that saving coins can add up, but are you aware that you can painlessly have enough money to pay your rent after a mere two years or more?
Save Your Loose ChangeThis has saved me a few times and I love it. I made a few shopping totes and had one left over. I found some spare change and tossed it in the purse. I went about my day and weeks, never remembering the money was there. I found some change laying around the house. I quickly thought of my purse and made a deposit.
Starting a Savings AccountI encouraged a friend to start a savings account. She had no savings and had to charge emergencies when they came up. She said she did not have money to start a savings account with and could not afford to add to it if she did. I told her to save her pennies and put them in a clean empty plastic milk jug.
Check Statements for Benefits and DiscountsMost of us have a bad habit of not reading the inserts that are in the envelopes with bank statements and bills. This past month, I did read them, and managed to save several dollars.
Work for DiscountsMy husband recently retired from his job of almost 30 years. He discovered that he could work as little as 10 hours a week at a very popular large national chain hardware store and get the employee discount.
Challenge Yourself to SaveLast Christmas, as part of my Christmas gift, my mom gave me the Money Challenge. The challenge is: Week 1 save $1 and put it away, Week 2 save $2 and put it away, etc through Week 52, save $52.
Save the Money You Saved With CouponsWhen I use coupons at the grocery store, I write my check that much over. When I get home, I put it in my flower pot that is covered with a silk Boston fern. If a crook robs my house, I figure he wouldn't look there!
Insurance DiscountsMost people are aware that you get a discount on your insurance if you bundle your vehicle insurance with your homeowner's or renter's insurance. But, many people are not aware that you can qualify for more than one discount for other reasons as well.
Saving a Dollar at a TimeDollar bills have a letter on the left hand side of each bill, identifying which Federal Bank it is from. Bills are lettered from A to M. Choose a letter or two and every night sort out any bills with that chosen letter to put aside for savings.
Saving for Big Ticket ItemsI am currently trying to save for a new sofa. I feel that by waiting, I'll appreciate it that much more. I decided that I want to spend no more than $700. So I divided $700 by 26 which is how many pay days are in a year for me.
Save Money by Organizing Your RefrigeratorAlways add a label with the date a product was opened to insure freshness. If you do not plan to use leftovers right away, immediately freeze them for future use.
Saving Money While at WorkInevitably, if I go out somewhere during my lunch hour, I spend money. To avoid unnecessary spending, I pack my lunch each day and eat at my desk.
Cutting the High Cost of InsuranceOne of our 2012 family goals was to re-evaluate our homeowners and automobile insurance to see if we could save a few bucks. WOW! This effort netted us nearly $2500 savings annually!
Avoid Funeral Home PurchasesDon't purchase anything from the funeral home that you can buy elsewhere because they mark up the prices.
Round Up To Save MoneyI always keep a log of everything we spend and I always round up the total. For example: if I spent $1.25, I always round it up to $2.00. It sounds small, but after awhile, it really adds up. I never have too worry about being overdrawn.
Banks Can Help You SaveI am currently banking with Wachovia, soon to be Wells Fargo. Every time I use my debit card, $1.00 of my money in my checking account gets transferred to a Way-to-Save account.
Buy Used Jewelry Instead Of NewMy husband always wanted to upgrade my engagement ring to something nicer. A good friend introduced him to a local jeweler. They also buy back jewelry from people. Because they can buy it back cheaper, they can sell it cheaper.
Round Up in Checkbook RegisterHere's a simple way to, sort of, "hide" money from yourself in your checkbook. You simply take the amount you're going to subtract out and round up to the next closest dollar or add on a few extra dollars.
Saving On Service RatesLooking to lower fees for your carriers, like insurance companies, TV, phones, computer, etc.? First, I bundled (calling one carrier such as AT&T to combine multiple services) which is a HUGE savings.
Savings Container for Spare ChangeMy husband and I collect the spare change we find around the house, in the laundry, etc. I found a big antique Ball jar at a thrift store and we use that. It is easily contained and looks nice on the shelf.
Save Lunch Money Instead of Eating OutFigure it up; if you spend $5 per day for 5 days, you are spending $25 per week for lunches. This amounts up to $100 a month!
Save Money by LetterI have an easy and fun way to save money for extras (like a new flat screen TV for my kitchen). I started saving dollar bills by initials in the serial number. In January, I saved "A" bills, in February, "B" bills, and so forth.
Mom's Money JarSince I no longer work outside the home, I've been looking for ways that I have my own money. My husband hands over his check and never questions where it goes, but it is just not the same.
Mark Your Gift Cards and CouponsWhen using coupons or gift cards in restaurants, I've discovered that it is very easy for the server to become confused, as to the ownership of these items. Make it a point to mark them with something that catches the eye.
Save Change Throughout The YearWhenever cash is paid for something and change is given back, save it. Change adds up fast into big bucks. I also save the one dollar bills and group into tens.
Buy Savings Bonds for a Great Savings RateSavings Bonds are now paying over 3% for the next few months. The only catch, they change interest rates every May and Nov. and you must hold them 5 years or pay 3 months of interest.
Keep a Family Piggy BankKeep a piggy bank, and add change to it whenever you have extra. Make it a game with the kids to add "found" change. Save the money for a special outing, maybe a supper at a fancy restaurant or a camping trip.
"Bohemian" Savings PlanBefore I retired, I used to use what was called a "Bohemian" savings plan. Why Bohemian, I don't know. It involved, if you get paid on a Friday, for instance, you would put your check in the bank or enter the deposit in your checkbook on Saturday the first week.
Deposit Change In Separate Savings AccountWhen the vase gets full, I take it to the bank and deposit it into my "special" savings account. Since I only glance at the statement once a month I don't see how much it has accumulated, so I'm not tempted to spend it.
A Handbook for SavingsIf you made a resolution to surround yourself with responsible spending from now on, a set of spending rules can come in handy. Learn them, live by them, and watch them save money.
Ready for the Rainy Day?The irony of saving is that it is more important now than ever, yet it's harder to save today than it was a few years ago. What's the method of savings some extra money without cutting back on the things that you love?
Round Up Debit Card Into SavingsOur bank offers a "Keep the Change" program. A painless way to save $. Every time you use your debit card, the bank rounds it up to the next higher dollar. Works great, and it goes directly into your savings account.
Save Those PenniesMany of us are living cheque to cheque and trying to make ends meet. How are we supposed to save money when we barely have enough as it is now for basic needs?
Saving Your RaisesI recently got my annual raise and have been putting it into savings. If I don't use it, it's like I never got it. A friend of mine read somewhere (not sure where) that a person has been living on the same salary for 10 years by doing this. So yes, it can be done!
Saving Money in the New YearMoney saving tips and strategies for saving money in the new year from the ThriftyFun community. Feel free to post your ideas!
Save Money By Keeping Track and Banking the ExtraI've lived on my own for the last 7 months, and having been around the world, and having attended a community college, I wasn't the least bit frugal with my spending habits!
Subtract Savings FirstIt seems the more I made the more I spent, until I decided to try a special way to save money. Each month, when I get paid, I subtract an amount of money that I am going to try to save.
Christmas Club AccountsConsider opening a Christmas Club account. Some banks still offer them but they may not advertise them. You can deposit money weekly or as often as you'd like; however, the funds are NOT accessible for withdrawal.
Small Savings Add UpI just talked to a friend who has to come up with $1000 every October and she has nothing saved up. I asked her if she could save $19.25 on a weekly basis. I told her if she did that each week for a year, she would have her $1000.
A Change Jar for ChristmasI put all my change in a jar from one Christmas to the next. I always pay with bills, this way I get more change to put in my jar. When I'm ready to do my Christmas shopping, I take my change to the bank and cash it in for bills or put in my account.
Saving for Next ChristmasI noticed today at the grocery store we sell gift cards you can keep loading. Hey, everyone needs groceries! So I decided after Christmas I am going to get one and put $5 on it every payday.
Getting Started Saving Money"I want to start saving some money each month, but don't know where to start. What do you suggest?" Here are answers from the ThriftyFun community. Feel free to post your own ideas.
Saving By the "Windfall" MethodFor years, we have had a leaky roof. Every summer my husband puts another coat of sealer on it (it's a mobile home) and every winter we put buckets under the leaks. I have determined that we will have a good roof before the snow flies.
Help Your Savings Grow With CD'sIf you have money in an ordinary statement or passbook savings account, you are probably getting about 3% less then if you put in CD's (certificate of deposits).
Go On a Money DietOne thing we do when money is tight, say before pay day, is just go on a money diet and spend as little as humanly possible. It's a good habit to get into now and then, as it helps you curb the habit of spending just to amuse yourself!
Found Change Keeps Loved One InvolvedMy husband and I have done something from the very start of our life together. Every time we find money on the ground, we keep it separate from our own and put it in a clear glass piggy bank when we get home.
Making Saving a Part of Your BudgetMake saving a fixed part of your budget. Determine a reasonable amount of money each month and have it automatically deposited into a savings account.
Coins Are Money TooRemember coins are money, too. I have seen kids run away leaving a shower of pennies behind them, which I picked up! Some people have trouble paying with change, but it's currency, too!
Stashing Money To Wait For PaydaySometimes it gets a little tight waiting for payday, so I go into the money stashes I have to ease things just a bit. The stashes include my piggy bank (I do have one), and other coin receptacles.
Saving Your RaiseSaving Your Raise. Saving money is not easy, but years ago I learned an invaluable lesson.
10% Rule for SavingsI was taught the 10% rule and still do this to this day! No matter how much you make a week or bi-weekly, always put 10% of it in your savings account, "out of sight, out of mind".
Saving Overtime MoneySaving Overtime Money. Don't spend your overtime money. Any and all extra money made should go into a separate account (savings account or investment).
Watch the Pennies and the DollarsMy daughter looked at me like I was a little weird when I suggested she should not use a 39-cent stamp when a 24-cent stamp would suffice. So, does 15 cents really matter?
An FSA the Easy WayInvestment strategies and mutual funds are often over my head, but managing my flexible spending account (FSA) is easier than I planned and worth every minute of the effort.
Having Fun Saving and Making Extra MoneyHaving Fun Saving Money. I'm a preschool teacher, but just started a month off of work without pay (we close in August for maintenance and teacher training).
Saving on Professional Services from SchoolsJust got a great haircut at the Vidal Sassoon Academy for $20! (As they say, a $75-$100 value) - by an experienced cutter there to hone her skills. . .
Save for Christmas Money FundOn New Years Day I start my Christmas fund. Everytime I write a check, in my check register, I round it off to the next dollar and forget about it...
Save on Gas at Wal-MartThe Wal-Mart near my house has a gas station on-site. I can buy a reloadable Wal-Mart shopping/gift card for any amount and use it to buy gas at that station. But here's the best part...
Sending Complements to Manufacturersfound that if you write to manufacturers of toiletries and tell them that you enjoy their product, they will often send out coupons for those products for free...
Saving First Even the poorest of people can afford 5% especially if they do that from their first paycheck. I recommend 10%, but for someone making $200 a week, $20 is a lot of money...
Not Buying Scratch Tickets Helps Pay Off DebtsFor every day I don't buy a scratch-off lottery ticket, I put the $2 I would have spent on it, and put it into an envelope and as it builds up I take it and apply it to a debt.
Saving Money - Delay BuyingIf you want something put it on a list and wait a month. If it is still on the list budget for this item and get it!
Saving Up for Special MembershipsI have been trying to come up with a spare $100 to renew my membership to the San Diego Zoological Society but never seem to have the spare cash...
Saving for the VacationWe have never been able to afford a vacation so my family of three have decided to put aside a little each month (equal amounts)...
Saving Energy (& Money) in the KitchenIn a year of high heating bills, finding ways to save energy can really add up to big savings. Because the kitchen is usually one the busiest rooms in the home, it is also one of the rooms that uses the most energy. Follow these simple, inexpensive tips to shave a few dollars off your energy bill.
Vouchers for UK SupermarketsThis is a tip for shoppers in the UK, Asda currently take money off vouchers for any other supermarket, for any item that they stock, even if you have not bought it.
Ask For Teacher DiscountsThe other day I read somewhere if you're a teacher to ask if there are discounts available for you, especially in educational areas, such as museums, movies, etc. We work hard for our money, so might as well stretch it in any way we can.
Save the Diaper Money for CollegeWhen your child finally gets potty trained, put the $50 or so you have been spending monthly on diapers into a college fund!
Just Paid off Your Car?You can save a lot of money if you recently paid off a vehicle. Put the money you would have paid for the car payment in a savings account every month. If you've spent a couple years making the payment anyway, a couple more can't hurt.
Toll for the BathroomTake a empty coffee can and cut a slit in the plastic cover and place near the bathroom door. Tell every house member that there is a 25 cent cover to enter. Watch the cash build up over the year and then use it for vacation fun!
Hold Onto Your ChangeIf it is hard for you to save money, only spend dollar bills and save all the change you get in a jar or container at home. My daughter and fiance' have been doing this for the last 2 months and have $150.00 already. It is easy and fun to watch it grow.
Creative Piggy Banks IdeasOK everybody, collect all those piggy banks and pack them away in a box and put them in the attic. My house has only been broken into twice in my lifetime. The first things that go are the piggy banks.
Teaching Frugality To ChildrenOne thing we have done in trying to teach our children to be frugal as well as teaching them the value of a dollar is to have them each deposit 1/2 of their paycheck from their part-time jobs into a savings account. It's an encouragement to them to see it grow as well as teaching them some frugality when they only have 1/2 of their paycheck to spend for the time between pay periods. You would be surprised how far my daughters can make $50 go!
By Robin
Saving Money on DentistryBrush your teeth and floss after every meal and have a professional cleaning every 6 months! Saves in the long run from having cavities filled, teeth pulled, gum scrapings, etc.
Tips for Saving Money When Income is LimitedRight now we are living on one income as I am unemployed. We are a family of 5: me (41), hubby (38), son (16 no permit), daughter (14), and son (11). It isn't easy but we have made a strict budget and are sticking to it!
Make a Game of Saving MoneyHave everyone in the family join in. You must use "survival skills". Make due with what you have on hand. Be creative in being thrifty. You may want to start with two weeks and see how it goes. Make a game of it!
Save Your CoinsSave all your coins everyday and place them in a container and after a year use that money for something you want to do, like a vacation.
By Carol
Fun Little Reminders to Help You Stay FrugalI am determined to increase the portion of my monthly pay I put into savings. It goes without saying, this is not always easy.
Put That Lotto Money in SavingsEvery day that I don't buy a lottery ticket I put $2 in an envelope and do the same with coffee at work, where I used to buy one or two cups a day.
I Painted My House with Coupon SavingsWhen shopping, I get the total, write the clerk check and then offer the coupons. The cashier then gives me cashback after deducting the coupons which in turn goes to a saving account for special projects.
Save Change for Something SpecialHave everyone in the family put all their quarters, dimes, nickels, pennies into a "bank" on a regular basis. (daily, or weekly).
