How To Be Cheap

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You can also take advantage of a cash back rewards card that gives bonus cash at grocery stores — just be sure to pay off the balance each month. And no matter what, it is always cheaper to stay in with friends and come up with your own entertainment. Instead of hitting the town, host a fun pitch-in dinner with your friends. Play cards, sit around a fire pit, or watch movies with your guests.

Most basic sewing jobs can be completed by anyone, and a little bit of practice goes a long way. Learning basic sewing skills is a great way to save some money — and extend the life of your clothing. Most children, especially young ones, can be entertained very cheaply. Buy them an end roll of newspaper from your local paper and let their creativity run wild.

Play ball in the backyard. Head to the park. Teach them to ride a bike without training wheels once and for all. Not only do you have the right to negotiate your current interest rate with your credit card issuer, but you have the right to transfer your balance to an entirely different card as well.

In fact, that is perhaps your biggest bargaining chip. Start by calling your card issuer at the number on the back of your card and explaining your request. Go through your closets and find anything and everything you no longer use. You can have a yard sale with it , sell it on eBay or Craigslist, take it to a consignment shop, or even donate it for the tax deduction mark down what you give away so you can get a receipt. Now, I focus on games that can be played over and over and over again, and I focus on mastering the games that I buy.

Good targets include puzzle games and long, involved quest games — they maximize the value of your gaming dollar. Drink a big glass of water before each meal in order to stay fuller longer and ultimately eat less. Even better, drinking more water — whether in a refillable bottle or at restaurants — means spending less money on beverages like soda, juice, and tea.

Instead of eating fast food or just nuking some prepackaged dinner when you get home, try making some simple and healthy replacements that you can take with you. If you want to add years to your life and save a boatload of money, the easiest thing to do is to stop smoking altogether. You can quit cold turkey, try some of the many anti-smoking products that are out there, or switch to an electronic cigarette to buy some time.

Whichever path you choose, you will be much better off. We all know that casseroles are nice, easy dishes to prepare. The next time you make a casserole, make four batches of it and put the other three in the freezer. Then, when you need a quick meal for the family, you can grab one of those ready-made casseroles and just heat it up. Keeping the lights on in your home may not be expensive on a per-watt basis, but it sure does cost money over time. To save as much as you can, turn off lights any time you leave your house — or even when you leave the room.

Turning off lights when you have plenty of natural sunlight can also help keep your electric bill down over time. Yard sales are a great place to score awesome deals on items you need anyway — think housewares, shoes, clothing, or even sports equipment. At your next garage sale, limit yourself to items that were already on your list of things to buy. Energy-efficient light bulbs might cost a bit more initially, but they have a much longer life than normal incandescent bulbs and use far less electricity.

CFLs , which use a quarter of the energy of incandescent bulbs and last for years, are the next cheapest option after traditional bulbs. But they also have some drawbacks: They take a while to warm up to full brightness, and they also contain a small amount of mercury. They light up instantly, are efficient as CFLs, produce a warm glow without getting hot to the touch, and can last for decades. When you need to buy an appliance, do research: Start with back issues of Consumer Reports at the library. If yours is beyond help, also consider changing it out for a new one.

If you have a habit of getting into trouble with credit cards, hide your credit cards and keep them in a safe place in your home, not in your wallet. Look at the biggest sales, then plan recipes based on those ingredients and what you have on hand. Just keep track of the 20 or so things you buy most often, then shop for these items at a variety of stores. Before I tried it myself, I thought making homemade bread would just be a complicated waste of time.

But after I tried it, I found that it was pretty easy and it was actually much cheaper, healthier, and tastier than buying a loaf from the store. We rarely ever buy bread at the store these days, mainly because the bread I make is not only cheaper, but much better too. Figuring out what you can make it home is a great way to save some money — and learn new skills along the way.

Exercise is always a good option, as is meditation and even a good old-fashioned nap. This seems like an odd way to save money, but think about it. If you spend time with the people you love the most and come to some consensus about your dreams, it becomes easy for you all to plan for it. Look behind the appliances, and use your vacuum to gently clear away dust. Check all of the vents, especially on refrigerators, dryers, and heating and cooling units.

Are you paying dues at a club that you never use? Like, for instance, a gym membership or a country club membership? Remember, you can always renew the membership at a later date if it turns out that you actually do miss it. You can often find the exact item you want with a bit of clever shopping at used equipment stores, used game stores, consignment shops, and so on. Just make these shops a part of your normal routine — go there first when looking for potential items and you will save money. Clothes, for example, often cost pennies on the dollar when bought used — even if they were only worn once.

By buying used most of the time, you can save a ton of cash. The best way to break this habit is to simply delete your card from the account. For new parents, give an evening of babysitting as a gift. If you know pet owners, offer to take care of their pets when they travel. Offer up some lawn care as a gift to a new homeowner. Most people use this technique for Christmas , but it works for every holiday.

Wait until about two days after a holiday, then go out shopping for items you need that are themed for that day. Get Easter egg decorating kits the day after Easter, and Halloween decorations on Nov. Get wrapping paper, cards, bows, and gift bags the day after Christmas. The discounts are tremendous, and you can just put this stuff in the closet until next year. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, get some exercise, and involve yourself in a positive project that can lift your spirit.

It is hands-down the best thing I have ever done. Go into a room and go through every single item in it. Do you really need that item? If you can find stuff to get rid of, get rid of it — it just creates clutter and it might have some value to others. Instead of just picking up the ordinary brand of an item you buy, try out the store brand or generic version of the item. Even better, you can easily prepare meals in advance — even handy fast-food type meals. Universal and whole-life policies are much more expensive and offer a subpar investment opportunity.

Enter your zip code below and be sure to click at least companies to find the very best rate. A reliable and fuel-efficient car will save you thousands over the long haul. Reliability can pay the same dividends. It will pay off for you.

Learning some simple strategies for fuel-efficient driving can also help. The mall might be a fun place to people watch, but it can also be packed with temptation. Unburden yourself and find something else to do when you need some entertainment. A walk outdoors, a fun puzzle, or a good movie can easily replace your regular mall shopping adventures. This keeps me from making impulse buys on a regular basis.

Rent it out on a site like Airbnb. If you live near a popular or tourist area, doing so could bring in a lot of extra money. Just make sure you know the risks and are willing to take the steps required to protect your family and your possessions. To put your debt into terms that are easy to understand, make a giant progress bar that starts with the amount of debt you have and ends with zero. Each time you pay down a little bit, fill in a little more of that progress bar. It can help keep your eye on the prize and lead you straight to debt freedom. Do you have a pile of unread magazines sitting around your house?

Not only should you not renew that magazine, but you should give their subscription department a call and try to cancel for a refund.

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You never know — they might even give you the prorated amount back. Eating a healthy breakfast fills you up with energy for the day while also curbing your desire for a big, expensive lunch. Meanwhile, breakfast can be very healthy, quick, and inexpensive. A bowl of oatmeal in the morning is often the one thing that keeps me from running out to eat an expensive lunch later in the day. We live in a neighborhood with dozens of families with young children. Because of that, there are a lot of parents out there willing to swap babysitting nights with us, saving us the money of hiring one for an evening out.

A few families even take this to incredible extremes. Try to find another set of parents or two that you trust, and swap nights of babysitting with them.

Many people feel as if leftovers are just inferior rehashes of regular meals. Chaining — using the leftovers as a basis for an all-new dish. If you have a regular urge to buy clothes, go through everything that you have and see what you might find. Take the clothes buried in your dresser and pull them to the top.

Instead of going out to eat at work, take your own lunch — if not every day, then at least a couple of times a week. With some thoughtful preparation and just a few minutes of time , you can create something quite enjoyable for your brown bag lunch — and save a fistful of cash each time you do. If you have five pants, seven shirts, and seven ties that all go together, you basically have an endless number of options already.

This is exactly what I do in order to minimize clothing purchases and still look professional — I just mix and remix what I wear by using timeless, simple pieces that go well together. Then, pay attention to what they tell you. They might have some personal insights for your situation that will really help. At the very least, they might understand your situation better. Years ago, it was far more difficult to find ways to fix everyday items we have in our homes. But today, it should be a piece of cake. You can find online tutorials and videos that show you how to fix almost anything, and all for free.

Learning a new skill never hurts either. Lewis on February 18, Categorize your spending patterns. Most people's expenses consist of housing, utilities, entertainment, clothing, food, travel, and medical care. Start by reviewing the checks you've written and your credit card statements for the last few months. Add up what you spent in the above categories and any others specific to you. Credit card companies and online banks offer a feature that will summarize your spending for a given period of time, based on the names of the businesses where you spend money.

If you don't use debit or credit cards, keep a careful accounting of your monthly expenses. For example, keep track of your food spending, both at the grocery store and at restaurants. After you have gathered this information compare the totals in each category. Do they seem reasonable, especially as percentages of your paycheck? Set a monthly target for how much money you should allocate to each category. See how to budget your money for more information. Include a target for retirement savings, even if it's quite small to begin with.

Slowly increase that percentage over time. You'll find you can gradually adjust to that allocation. The more you save for retirement, the better your later years will be. If you don't think that's important, talk with someone who is already retired. In some locations, this may not be realistic. If that's the case where you live, it may be necessary to change neighborhoods. Set aside about six months' worth of living expenses in case you lose your job or become incapacitated. Look for ways to save. Once you have created your budget, you will see the areas in which you need to reduce spending.

Find ways to save in those categories. Address your largest expenses first. If you have a mortgage, think about refinancing at a lower interest rate. Meanwhile, look for ways to lower food costs. Don't eat at restaurants. Find recipes utilizing nutritious but inexpensive ingredients. Cooking food from scratch at home is a great way to save money on food. Even when cooking at home, many people buy pre-made meals. These are convenient but relatively expensive. Buy the ingredients and make it yourself.

Buy staple ingredients instead of pre-made meals. You will be able to make much more food for much less money, for instance, by buying a bag of uncooked rice than by purchasing microwaveable rice bags. If you eat large portions, cutting down a little can save you money. Try to save part of the meal for later. Freeze leftovers if you won't eat them right away. A fish fillet or chicken breast can become a more exciting dish with a novel sauce or seasoning.

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Try a spice you are unfamiliar with, or a condiment from an Asian, African, or farmer's market in your area. Shop with a list. Make a list of the food items you need. Buy only the items on that list.

Don't shop while hungry. If you make a weekly menu, use that to draw up your shopping list. Stick to the menu during the week.

A great way to save money is to find store or product coupons and then plan your meals around them. If you find a coupon for bread, it's time for bread pudding or French toast. Certain inexpensive and healthy foods make a relatively small meal larger. For instance, adding more potatoes to a beef stew will feed more people. Other examples include rice, pasta, quinoa, and couscous.

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Cut down on eating out. Restaurant food is usually more expensive than eating at home and can quickly add up. Making your own lunch and going out for meals less often will save you a lot. The same goes for coffee. Brew it yourself instead of going to a coffee shop or a vending machine. View the menu before you go to dinner. Otherwise, you may feel "put on the spot" if prices are more expensive than you anticipated. Take home your leftovers, and turn one meal into two. Look for restaurant specials. Some places offer free or discounted kids' meals.

Others may offer daily specials or discounts for police, senior citizens, or active military personnel. Drinks, especially alcoholic ones, can be the most expensive part of a meal. Cut down on beverages, and you will save on your restaurant bill. Buying non-perishable items in bulk is a great way to save money. This includes pasta, canned items, dry boxed goods, common spices, cooking oils, frozen foods, and household items like toilet paper and paper towels.

Split a membership with a friend. Wholesale stores usually have a small membership fee, and if you split the fee with a friend, it will be worth the money. Another option is to start a food co-op with nearby families. You can save money by combining purchases and buying in bulk. Grow your own food.

The most cost-effective way to save on food, if you have the time, is to grow your own! Simple crops like lettuce and other leafy greens can be grown indoors by a window with little effort. Examples include fruit, herbs, and berries. Take advantage of nutrition assistance in your area. If you can't afford to buy food, there are programs to make sure you and your family don't go hungry.

You may qualify for governmental assistance, or there might be organizations in your area that provide assistance without applications and income restrictions. If you are struggling, don't be afraid to ask for help, even if it's just short-term. Often income requirements are more lenient than you might expect, or there are sliding-scale options to provide partial funding.

Consider moving to a cheaper neighborhood. It can be a pain, but moving even a few blocks can sometimes save you a lot. If you have the chance to move to the outskirts of a major city or even to a cheaper part of the country, you might save significantly. Move closer to work. This could save you money on housing and transportation. Look up prices in various neighborhoods through websites like Zillow. While you're at it, look up your own neighborhood. You may find you're paying too much where you live now. Splitting your rent with another person or more , even for just a few years, can provide major savings.

Imagine cutting your rent in half — or more! Ask friends and family if they have any responsible friends, co-workers, or family who are looking for a room. You can also use ad services like CraigsList to find roommates. Negotiate with your landlord. Use Zillow or a similar resource to demonstrate that your rent is too high. Offer to sign an extended lease for a discounted price. Save on home ownership. A mortgage can be your largest monthly expense.

Finding ways to lower this cost can drastically improve your financial outlook. Buy a bank-owned property. Consider refinancing your mortgage if you've held it for several years. You might be able to find a better interest rate. These homes are short on space, but they're easier on the wallet. Find housing assistance in your area. These services will help you find housing or even pay a portion of your rent. Get rid of cable. Paying for TV can be ridiculously expensive. Broadcast TV is always the cheapest choice though not available in some locations. Check your area for blackouts, but this can be a great way to watch live basketball without cable.

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Save on cell phone bills. Cell phones are another money sucker, but if you're dedicated to saving, there are lots of low-cost options.

Many companies offer pay-as-you-go plans that are significantly less than contract plans, and even if you are locked into a contract, some companies will pay your termination fee if you switch to their service. If you do enough research, you can likely reduce the amount you pay each month for your phone. Insulate your home or apartment. If you live in a cold area, you could be paying more for heating than you really have to. Just hanging thick curtains to keep heat inside your home overnight, caulking gaps in windows, and placing a blanket against the air gap below an external door can save you money on heating.

These investments can be expensive initially but will pay off over time. Use less electricity on appliances. Major appliances like washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators and air conditioners all use a lot of energy and likely make up the bulk of your monthly electricity bill.

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