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Step 1
Unplug your appliances! I keep my electric bills to a bare minimum by unplugging all appliances when they are not in use. The toaster, lights, the radio/sound system, computers, etc. You would be surprised how much energy they use combined!
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Step 2
Turn the temperature up on your Air Conditioner (A/C) or down during the winter on your heat. These types of bills ad up quick and a few degrees can make a big difference in your total at the end of the month. If you keep your A/C at/around 73-75 degress (F) in the Summer it will still feel cool inside. In the Winter keep the heat around 60-62 degrees (F), and you will be warm enough. It will be comfortable AND you won't have to panic when you see your bill at the end of the month!
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Step 3
Get rid of that cable and definitely the "add-ons!" This is especially for people who work all day and are only home for a few hours at night and on the weekends. Chances are your favorite shows are either on channels you can get for FREE just by plugging your TV into the wall outlet(or into a cable outlet in your wall)! If you miss some of your shows, try hulu.com to sign up to watch them for free.
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Step 4
Order water instead of soda/pop when you go out. This really adds up too! If you order two soft drinks at $2 a piece, that's at least $4, plus you have to tip on that. Figure you save $20/month just by drinking that free (and healthy) water. Caution: This can have the added benefit of losing weight :)
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Step 5
Check out sites like Craigslist.com or Freecycle.com for free or cheap things. Most of the time I can find what I am looking for WAY cheaper on those sites than anywhere else. GREAT DEALS (and you can't beat free)!
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Step 6
Find a Redbox near you on movie night! Around here, they are located just inside the entrance to most grocery stores. All DVDs (new release and older flicks) go for about $1 per night. With a trip to the movies priced at about $10/adult who can afford that? Not to mention all the sweets and treats that will only cost you your firstborn (haha), the movies add up to one expensive night out.
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Step 7
Shop around! Whenever you do need to buy something, compare prices! Don't impulse buy, especially on big purchases. Many times I have found a deal by searching for "coupon codes" or "discount codes" on google to enter when purchasing something online.
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Step 8
Drop your gym membership while the temperatures are right for exercising outside. Gym memberships aren't cheap even if you do get a good rate. Check with your gym, but many times you can either "freeze" your account for a few months when you know you aren't going to use it, OR you can "sub-let" it for a few months to someone in the area through a site like Craigslist.
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Step 9
Bring your own meals and snacks to work or school. Eating only one meal out everyday for a week can quickly add up to $50. Get a group of friends together together and designate certain days as "bring a meal from home day" and pick a nice spot to eat. The savings will add up quickly and you don't have to be a hermit to do it! Others have probably been hoping someone would suggest this idea- they will be relieved too.
