Painless Ways to Save Money

Here are some tips on how to save money courtesy of the book One Paycheck at a Time:

• Cut your dryer sheets in half, and use a ¼ less of laundry and dishwasher soap.
• Save your change. Any time you receive change from a purchase, put it in a jar.
• Eat out only when you have a buy-1-get-1-free coupon.
• Iron your own pants/shirts instead of taking them to the dry cleaners.
• Move to a state with no income tax, if you're considering relocating. Seven states have no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Two others, New Hampshire and Tennessee, tax only dividend and interest income.
• Increase the length of time between haircuts.
• Turn the temperature down on your water heater one notch, and be more conscience about turning off lights when you're not using them.
• Take home a doggie bag; eat half of what you normally eat in a restaurant or share an entrée with a friend.
• Use plastic containers when storing food instead of expensive zipper plastic bags.
• Double recipes when cooking and freeze the extra meal for another time.
• Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when you have full loads.
• Get free bank online service and save postage by having all your bills sent via the bank.
• Request generic medication whenever possible.
• Use your library card for your reading hobby.
• Gently wash sheets of tin foil that you use when cooking and store for a second use.

Comments

[Phillip]

There are some decent ideas in here, but when I have to delay haircuts, cut my dryer sheets in half, and wash aluminum foil, it's time to increase the income a bit!

[Terry]

Good ideas if you are living paycheck to paycheck. The goal here should be to get to the point of living like you want. I am at a point in my life I keep the house much cooler than I used to, water the lawn a bunch, eat out when I want – and I don’t cut dryer sheets 

The idea here is not to “waste” money, but to enjoy all of the hard work of the past. It is important to have a good balance (within reason) or just like a crash diet, you will revert to your old ways.

[Chris]

I know what you mean, Philip. My wife used to wash ziplocs, and she still saves grocery bags like they were gold! But the thing about increasing the income, is that when you do that, Uncle Sam's gonna get a bite. But when you save money, he gets none! I believe in paying taxes, but no more than I have to...