How to Save Money Without Changing Lifestyle
In today's economy, everyone is looking to save money. At the same time, no one wants to give up his or her creature comforts---especially when work is getting more and more stressful. There are many ways to cut corners without giving up comforts, as long as you're willing to apply a bit of effort.
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Instructions
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Change Your Bills With One-Time or Little Effort
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Compare companies. Investigate your options as far as cable, Internet service, gym membership, cell phone service, credit cards and car insurance go. Can you get a better deal with a competitor?
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Keep track of your cell phone minutes and other services as well as which TV channels you use on a regular basis. Can you downgrade to a cheaper plan without giving up the perks you use regularly?
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Use it or lose it. Still paying for a barely used gym membership? Get rid of it. Got a pile of unwatched Netflix movies or unread books from the bookstore? Try the library instead.
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Use less electricity. Put all of your electronic equipment on power strips that you can turn off when they're not in use. Switch to compact fluorescent lightbulbs. If you have electric heat and/or air, turn your thermostat down or up 1 degree, as appropriate.
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Pay more attention to your groceries. Try generic brands for everything. Then continue using the ones where you didn't notice a difference. Pay attention to sales and stock up when your favorite items are on sale.
Change Your Bills With Ongoing Effort
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Clip or print those coupons. Check the local papers and circulars for coupons for groceries and local stores. Use Internet coupon services for shopping at national chains.
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Clean out your closets, basements and attics regularly and sell unused items on Craigslist. You can also find gently (or sometimes even new) products on Craigslist or at garage sales.
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Maintain your home. Fix drafts, leaks and other resource-wasting problems.
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Keep up with your car. Make sure tires are properly inflated to improve mileage and do regular maintenance to prolong engine life.
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Shop thrift stores and garage sales. If you love to shop, this is an easy way to get your fix without spending too much money.
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Join free rewards clubs. Most hotel chains, for example, have free rewards clubs that allow you to earn points toward free nights or other perks.
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Form a babysitting or pet-sitting collective. Instead of paying someone to watch your kids on nights out or walk your pets on trips away, trade off with another family.
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Have even small deductions removed from your paycheck automatically so that you don't have to be responsible for taking the money out yourself.
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Tips & Warnings
Forget about keeping up with the Joneses. Just worry about keeping yourself content.
Don't look at saving money as a chore to be survived; look at it as a game to see how much you can save without feeling deprived.
