Make your dollar go further

[robby3333]

Are you looking for ways to make your dollar go further. Here's a list of over 100 ideas you can consider to help you manage or lower your expenses.

Staying on a budget can often be challenging. Following is a list of ideas to help with debt and stay on track each month. When reading this list, keep in mind that your budget should be created and managed according to your personal financial circumstances. Some of these ideas may not be right for you, so be sure to think of some on your own.
Auto

* Buy regular gas if possible
* Change your own oil
* Compare retail prices to Bluebook prices before buying a car
* Consider leasing versus buying
* Keep your tires inflated properly to get better gas mileage
* Perform regular preventive maintenance
* Use a reputable mechanic
For an interesting analysis of how much it costs to own a car, see the Get Rich Slowly blog article, The True Cost of Car Ownership.

Banking

* Avoid ATM's that charge fees
* Don't carry your checkbook with you so you won't be tempted to make extra purchases
* Use an interest-bearing checking account.
See the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation article, Avoiding Costly Banking Mistakes, about minimizing fees associated with banking accounts and loans.

Clothing

* Accept hand-me-downs
* Buy clothing off-season
* Designate play clothes
* Don't buy dry clean-only clothes
* Make your own clothes
* Never buy anything that isn't on sale
* Repair/mend torn items
* Re-wear unsoiled clothing
* Shop secondhand or thrift stores
* Take old clothing to a consignment shop
* Use a clothesline instead of a dryer
* Use slightly less detergent than recommended
* Wash in cold water

Credit

* After you pay off a debt, apply the payment amount to the debt with the next highest interest rate
* Analyze fees and compare
* Ask credit card companies to lower your interest rate
* Consolidate multiple credit cards to avoid multiple fees
* Don't carry your credit cards with you to avoid the temptation to make additional purchases
* Pay off high interest rate credit cards first

Food

* Buy generic brands
* Buy in bulk
* Cook from scratch
* Grow a garden
* Limit eating out
* Plan meals in advance and around sale items
* Save and eat leftovers
* Shop only with a list
* Take a brown bag lunch
* Use coupons

Health

* Ask for generic prescriptions
* Ask your doctor for sample medications
* Give up alcohol
* Have regular checkups
* Obtain services from clinics and the health department
* Stop smoking

Household

* Caulk windows and doors
* Check into refinancing
* Do your own painting
* Learn to do simple repairs
* Make your own cleaning supplies
* Recycle newspapers
* Replace 100 watt bulbs with 60 watt bulbs to cut back on electricity usage
* Use glass instead of paper cups
* Use worn out towels to make washcloths

Insurance

* Carry only liability on older model cars because the cost to carry collision may be more than the car is worth
* Carry only the minimum required insurance
* Check your coverage
* Comparison shop frequently
* Increase deductibles
* Purchase all insurance from the same carrier to obtain maximum discounts

Personal

* Buy low-cost cosmetics and hygiene products
* Don't use a pet groomer
* Do your own manicures and pedicures
* Give time, not money, to charities
* Learn to trim your hair
* Make gifts instead of buying them

Recreation and Entertainment

* Attend high school sports events instead of more expensive college or professional events
* Cancel magazine subscriptions
* Drop your gym membership
* Eliminate cable TV
* Host potluck dinners at home
* Meet friends for coffee and dessert instead of dinner
* Rent movies instead of going to the theater
* Use public parks and free museums
* Use the public library
For more money-saving tips related to recreation and entertainment, see Chris Brogan's article, 8 Expenses to Cut and How.

Telephone

* Drop extra services such as caller ID and call waiting
* Limit your long-distance calls and make them at night or on weekends
* Shop around for better long-distance rates
* Stop your cell phone service
* Use the phone book instead of directory assistance
* Write letters or email instead of long-distance calling

Transportation

* Carpool
* Drive small, economical cars
* Live close to work to save on commuting costs
* Use public transportation

Utilities

* Conserve water by turning off the faucet while you're brushing your teeth
* Don't use your dishwasher's drying cycle
* Lower the temperature on your hot water heater
* Lower your thermostat at night
* Set your thermostat to 75 in the summer and 65 in the winter
* Take a five-minute shower
* Use lights only when necessary
* Use low water flush toilets or similar water saving devices
* Use the utility company's budget plan
* Water your garden at night

Miscellaneous

* Carry your expense tracker with you to monitor miscellaneous expenses
* List savings as a fixed expense on your budget
* Look for package deals for regular telephone, cell phone, and Internet service
* Mark your calendar with due dates of upcoming bills so you pay them on time and avoid late fees
* Pay bills the day they arrive
* Prorate and save for non-monthly expenses every month
* Save pocket change
* Save receipts
* Search the Internet for freebies
* Set aside fun money for the entire family

Some of these ideas may be just what you need for a temporary solution and others may be perfect for you long term. If you want to stretch your dollar, try selecting five or more of these ideas and implement them for a few months. For fun, keep track of what you didn't spend and watch the money add up. Remember that creating and managing a budget plays a crucial part in your financial health. For more ideas on spending less, read the Consumer Literacy Consortium brochure 66 Ways To Save Money.

Take control of your finances with our debt help tools. Use our calculators and budget planner to help you manage your money.


Related Money Management Articles:

* Ways to Lower Your Auto Expenses - When managing debt or saving money, your car can be a valuable source of extra change. Perform regular maintenance to prevent costly repair bills. Change your own oil--it's easy and fast. Use regular gas. Price-shop car insurance. Or carpool with friends. There are several ways to use your car for more than just a trip to work!

* Telemarketing: The Unnecessary Evil - While there are honest telemarketers out there, scam artists also use the telephone to find their prey. If you are in need of credit repair or debt consolidation, you should be extra careful who you speak to over the phone regarding those services. Never give out credit card information or mail a check for services you have not received. Know the law and the rules regulating what telemarketers can and cannot do. Do not reveal account numbers and resist any pressure to "act now" or lose the offer. If it sounds too good to be true, or you have to give up something first, then it's usually a bad deal.

* Beating the Post-Holiday Financial Blues - Use that pile of credit card statements as motivation to get rid of them this year. Part of good debt management is identifying your total debt, creating a budget to help pay it down, and choosing not to incur any more debt in the meantime. Figure out how to truly live within your means and trim out those luxuries that have no long-term benefits but eat a hole in your pocket each day. Consider debt consolidation orcredit counseling if your debt level is high enough or you feel you need assistance in maintaining motivation to pay off your debts.

[greenweed]

one thing that is wrong LIGHTS!! don't run 100w or even 60w go with CFLs(the new twisty lights) 100w bulb only runs off of 23w. you can run three of them at the price of ONE 60W!!!! you can go lower if you want but the 100s are bright the lower ones are not as bright you wont like them. you can get 4 packs at wallfart mean mart sorry for $7.00. now what do you save you ask? i put in my house lights for about $30.00(CHANGED ALL OF THEM) i watched my first bill drop $35.00 a month!!! that's around $400.00 to $500.00 a year OR MORE!~!

[flagator007]

Well greenweed you are dead on lighting is 30% of the bills for chain stores and also is a big cost at home !
I made my living 27 years in the lighting Biz I know the cost!
People do not buy anything for lighting except Fluorescent,LED,HPS for outside They are not cheap but last longer and cut you bills.Buy the new T-8 Lamps the skinnie ones and electronic ballast they run cool and last they only consume 60 watts for two lamps instead of 263 watts you do the math !
And turn them off when you do not need them think about it !
Use motion detectors ! I use them for all my lights bathroom and bedrooms. When you replace 1 lamp do them all they may still be lit BUT THEY ARE LIKE THE TIRES ON YOUR CAR!
you just cannot see that the tread is gone!
Have you ever seen those guys changing all the fluorescent lamps out in a chain store at night That was me and that is why the lamps are at the end of they life!
All the best!
Gator!