4 Money-Saving Tips

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Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Amid the challenges of mounting credit card debt, finding ways to cut-back or save are things you always want to have your eyes open for. Here are four tips that may be of value to you.

1. ALTERNATIVES – Look for alternative solutions before you spend. Often there are generic brands of the products you want (yes it may mean giving up the designer brand, but at least it will be paid for!) Search the net for home remedies rather than purchasing individual products for each household challenge you face. Ask your local pharmacists for alternatives to expensive medications and treatments, or once again search the net for some. Many places offer discounts for package deals, like fitness centers and things like family haircuts. Visit your local library instead of buying a book and/or buying or renting a movie. Books from there will read just as well.

2. COUPONS – I know many of your reading this are turning green right now – but coupons can save you lots of money. These are not just for food! Check online, in print media and in your postal and email boxes for money saving coupons to use with your next computer, software, bookstore, office supply store or any store purchase. Enjoy a social life, too. Head to the fitness center, take your spouse out to eat and get your pet groomed – all with coupons. Plan ahead and keep them in a drawer or specially marked container. Purge them monthly or quarterly as many have expiration dates. Trade them with friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. You may be the one starting it, but others will enjoy the benefits as well.

3. INCENTIVES – Many credit cards, restaurants, movie theaters, stores and other places offer incentive programs. Find one or more that fit into your purchasing plans and earn things like free air travel miles, movies, gasoline, meals. Some even offer a percentage back in the form of a check or gift certificates in exchange for your participating in their program. Keep up with the times, too. If your child is grown, no need to use your Toys-R-Use Visa and get back certificates for toys any longer. Call the bank and see which other programs they have, ask your friends which ones they use, surf the Internet for new offers - and switch.

4. ATTITUDE – Don’t focus on what you “don’t have.” Instead, focus on what you “do have.” Make lemonade out of those lemons; recycle what you can, reuse what you can, donate what you can. No need to have “new” things all the time, or even part of the time. Be happy with what you have now and make it work for you! Head to the library for free help in thousands in books that can show you step by step how to get exactly what you want.

So the next time you’re heading out the door to do some shopping, take a minute to determine what you absolutely need to buy and can’t find an alternative for, what you could buy cheaper if you used a coupon and what you could simply borrow rather than buy. By not spending you’re giving yourself a raise!

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