In a time of high tech, many of us are surprised to find that the old ways are still the best ways when it comes to saving money. The same things that helped our great grandparents through the Great Depression can help us now. Our troubles today are nothing compared to life then, so imagine how much more powerful their techniques can be for us now. Here are five time-tested, proven ways to save money that will probably never change.
Make Things Last Longer
Most of us have developed wasteful habits during a time when resources were more plentiful. We put too much toothpaste on our brushes, over do it on the deodorant, apply unnecessary perfumes, lather in too much shampoo and conditioner, slather on lotions and that’s just in the bathroom. Try using just 1/3 of what you normally use on your personal care products. Some items you won’t be able to cut back that much, but experiment and find out how much less you can get by on. Successfully cutting back by just 1/2 gets you twice as much product for the money, in effect cutting the price in half.
Laundry detergent is another item we often overuse. We put in a little extra when the clothes are extra dirty. But the extra detergent doesn’t rinse out properly and the clothes come out dingy. So we add even more the next time to try to get our clothes whiter, but it really just makes them dingier. When it comes to laundry detergent, less is truly more. Cut back to the amount recommended for a small load, even when you’re washing a large load. Your clothes will come out brighter and whiter and the detergent will last longer. The less you need to buy, the more you save.
Eliminate Unnecessary Bills
Do you really need all 150 channels on your television? How often do you really watch the premium channels? Think about your cell phone bill. Do you come anywhere close to using all the minutes each month, or do you need unlimited texting? See if there is a way to cut your bill down to just the things that you need.
Use Free and Low-Cost Resources When You Can
The library is a fantastic place to save money. Check out books, magazines, movies, video games and more from your local library instead of buying or renting from somewhere with a price tag. If it’s convenient, you could even drop your Internet service from home and use the library’s computers and Internet instead.
Other great money-saving resources are websites like Craigslist and Freecycle. People list things on these sites that they are selling or giving away, and you can find many useful items at great prices, or for free in your local area. Garage sales are another great place to look for items you may need at low prices. Consignment shops are also available but may not save you as much as other available options.
Use Coupons and Shop Clearance
People can save loads of money through coupons. Some would even consider themselves “professionals” when it comes to using coupons, and are able to save 80-90% off their grocery bills using coupons. Using coupons effectively often comes along with paying attention to sales and knowing when certain stores will put specific items on sale, and then saving coupons for those times. It’s even possible to get items free or get money back for items that are less than free by using coupons. There are many websites available to teach you coupon techniques and tips and to maximize the use of your coupons.
Even if you don’t have the knack for coupons (and there really is a lot do doing it well) the clearance rack should be the first place you check when you enter any store. You will be amazed how many times the item you came in for is marked down by 50% or more. Look for staple foods that you can always use. The grocery store puts out bread one or two days a week at 75% off. Make sure you’re the first one there, buy a few loaves and stash them in the freezer.
Dented canned foods are just as good as non-dented ones. Who cares if the cereal box is a little sunken? Isn’t that what storage containers are for? By paying close attention to the clearance rack at the grocery store, you can save hundreds per year. Combining the practice with smart meal planning, portion control and coupons will save you thousands.
Re-Use Everything
Try to think of a use for things before you throw them away. If you could possibly use them, hang on to them for six months or so before throwing them away. Old clothing can be made into any number of household necessities including rugs, rags, toys, or hand-me-downs to younger children. Any fabric you can salvage is good for making something useful.
Don’t have a pitcher to mix iced tea? Use the empty orange juice carton that you saved. An old potter makes a great trash bin. There are endless uses for many items that you might otherwise throw away. When you make use of these, it’s like getting free stuff.
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