These days everyone is looking for newfangled ways to save money and, in the rush to do it, some people overlook “old-fashioned” tips and tricks that have been around for ages. Today’s blog will take a look at some of those old-fashioned money-saving tips that still work and will hopefully give you some new ways to make that old dog do a new trick. Enjoy.
Tip 1) Buying things Used. The simple fact is that, with the Internet connecting us so quickly and easily, buying things used is super easy today. On sites like eBay and Craigslist you can easily find all sorts of used to stuff, including cars, electronics, books and practically anything else you can think of. On smaller items you might not save a lot of money (unless you buy a whole lot of small items) but on things like cars, computers and other high-end products you could save a bundle. Add to that the fact that you can get gently used clothing at your neighborhood Thrift Store (thank you, Mackelmore) and saving money on you stuff has never been so easy.
Tip 2) Saving money on your electric bill. This is about as old a tip as it gets but it’s still a good one. When you leave a room, turn off the light. When you leave the house, close the door quickly so you don’t let out the air-conditioning or heating. During the winter don’t turn the thermostat up too high and during the summer try to use fans more than you use the AC. If you have an electric water heater (and even if it’s gas) take shorter showers and don’t use the dishwasher or washing machine unless you have a full load.
Tip 3) Cut back on eating out for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner. Here’s the thing; it’s okay to treat yourself to an expensive Starbucks latte once in a while, or go out to eat for lunch or dinner every so often. Nobody should be forced to cook three meals a day every single day. The problem that most people these days have is that they go out for food practically every day and, even if it’s just a latte here, a burger there or even a salad over here, it really starts to add up after a while. One of the best ways to save big bucks is to buy your food at the grocery store and bring it with you to work. It costs less, it’s healthier and it will save you an amazing amount of money in the long run.
Tip 4) Carpool or, if possible, ride a bike. Okay, many people will read this and say “how the heck am I going to ride a bike to work?! My commute is X miles!” Yes, many people don’t have the luxury of being able to ride their bicycles to work but, on the other hand, many can certainly carpool. Simply put, if there’s any way possible for you to cut back on using your car you’re going to save money on gas, maintenance and tires. If you can’t we understand but, if you can and you don’t, you’re wasting money.
Tip 5) Learn to do something that will save you money. Plant a garden, learn how to fix your own faucet, refinish your old furniture yourself. There are a plethora of things that you can learn to do that will help you to save money and, in many cases, will introduce you to a new, fun and interesting hobby.
What you have above are 5 excellent Tips that have been around for ages. We’re not inventing the wheel here, we realize, but many people have forgotten that there are lots of things that they can do to save money today that their grandparents also used to save money. What worked back then can, in many cases, still work now. We hope you enjoyed this blog and that may be one of the tips above (or all of them) will help you to start saving money right away.