36 Household Money Saving Tips

When it comes to saving money, the most common complaint you hear from people is that they just don't earn enough to save. Well, we don't really have any control over how much we earn in most cases. However, we do have full control over how much we spend. Managing one's hard-earned money is a skill that most people don't have, unfortunately, and so they spend more than they earn and get into financial difficulties. Optimizing your hard-earned money should be your goal and here is where frugal living comes in. You don't really require any special skills to live frugally. All you require is a willingness to plan, adjust, look at innovative methods of saving and being disciplined and focused on saving your money. With that in mind, let us look at a few ways of saving money.

• Most people who go out shopping usually end up buying more than they planned to, ending up buying things they don't really require. A good way to avoid this is to take out an amount in cash that you intend to spend and leave behind your credit card. You cannot overspend beyond your budgeted amount this way. I do this personally and though it can be problematic at times, generally it works out great. I do this especially when I am out shopping close to home.
• Cut down on the extras such as magazines, movie DVDs, books, etc. Ask yourself, if you really need them, or need to own them? If you do need to get some magazines or movie DVDs, you can just check them out from the library.
• Bake your own breads and baked products.
• If you can, cut your kids' hair.
• Grow your own vegetables. It isn't difficult and can be quite a rewarding and pleasurable experience. So, apart from saving you money, it is good for your health too!
• Pay in cash when possible, for obvious reasons.
• Don't eat out all that often. Cook your own food as much as you can. Curtail the urge to eat out. In fact, eating out is often the main reason for excess spending. You end up spending way more than you intended.
• Choose water over drinks when out. The next time you are out, do the math, and you'd know how much you'd save by choosing water.
• Make your own tea and coffee.
• Shop at thrift stores that offer good deals.

• Raw feed dogs rather than feed them commercial dog foods.
• Wash your own car when possible.
• If you are not using your regular phone and use cell phones most of the time, consider giving it up.
• To heat up things, consider using wood when possible.
• Do your own repairs around the house and paint your own house when you can.
• Turn off lights when no one is around. This is basic common sense, but as they say, "common sense is not all that common."
• Hang your clothes to dry outside or inside depending on the season. Basically, line dry clothes when possible.
• Cut down on your consumption of meat. It won't harm your health in any way; if at all, improve it by eating less meats.
• Walk to do your grocery if the distances are not huge. You'd save money and get good exercise to boot.
• Shop at Goodwill/eBay. Do your research by comparing prices so that you buy at the best price.
• Make your own baby food. It is easier than it sounds and can save you a bundle.
• Have one car instead of two - ask yourself, if you really need that second one. Also, drive only when necessary and use public transportation when you can. Get up and about and walk if the distances are small. It won't harm your health one bit, apart from obviously saving on gas.
• Make your own soaps if you can, especially homemade laundry soaps/detergents. You can find out how by searching for the method online.

• Cut back on your TV and Internet package by determining if you really need specific services. Look for the best deals that work towards meeting your needs.
• Unplug your electronic gadgets, if you are not using them. Electronic gadgets consume standby power - you can make some handsome savings on your energy bill by doing so.
• Use cloth diapers for your babies when feasible. You really require disposable diapers only when you go out. Cloth diapers aren't that much difficult as you might think. Give them a try to see if you manage with it.
• When possible, shop alone. Having kids with you when you shop invariably ends up becoming a costly affair.
• Avoid shopping at Wal-Mart - you usually end up buying more than you need or planned to buy before you went in.
• Put in several things in your oven at a time - if several things need baking.
• Do your laundry when you have a full load.
• Cut down or eliminate expensive vacations.
• Don't go to malls, you won't be missing anything. There is nothing you'd get at the mall that you can't find elsewhere.
• Shop at the farmer's market. It enables you to get the freshest produce apart from being a green and environment friendly alternative. You also support the local farmers that way.
• Switch from your usual bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). These use about 75% less energy than normal bulbs and last 10 times longer.
• Go camping at state parks and the like to save money.
• Buy your meats from the local farmer/butcher. It works out cheaper and you'd be reassured about them not having steroids, hormones, etc.
• These are just 36 easy ways to save money. If you put your mind to it, you may discover hundreds of other ways to save money. If you know where your money is going and are aware of your expenses, you can find out ways to cut back on them. So, be budget oriented, focused and disciplined towards achieving your financial goals. You'd be surprised at how much you really end up saving and how those dollars add up.