There are many ways to save money, but here are the best ways to save money in all areas of your life.
The first edition of my book “Your Money or Your Life” had these money-saving strategies in it. The economic landscape has changed since the strategies were updated.
I wanted to include them here because they have been so powerful. Even if some of them don’t apply to you, try as many as you can. You never know which ones will help you reach your goals.
The savings will really add up!
How To Save Money Every Month
Before we get into the full list of 101 ways to save money, we should start with the basics. Good money-saving habits can be developed through these basics.
The best way to start saving money is to look over your finances and figure out where you are overspending. Tracking your spending is a great way to stay on track with your finances. You need to start saving more money if you want to get the confidence and small successes that you need to. You will begin to see the positive impact they have on your future as you save money and make wise financial decisions. Here’s how to save money today:
Create a Budget
To figure out how you can save money, you need to look at how much money you bring in and how much you spend each month. In essence, create a monthly budget for your household, yes that may seem like a daunting task, but its really quite simple nowadays to create a budget and stick to it if you are in the right mindset to start saving for financial freedom.
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34. Rent houses that aren’t for rent
This strategy can work for long-term rentals as well. It’s good for landlords who want to make sure their rental properties are well-maintained. You can find telltale signs of an empty house by driving around the neighborhood where you want to live. You can ask your neighbors if they know of any empty houses in the area.
You can find the owner through the tax office. If you can locate the owner’s contact information, you can look up their name online. A death, a divorce or a difficult experience with previous tenants are often behind the empty house. This can lead to a period of lack of activity before the house is ready to be occupied again. The owner can be unburdened by your willingness to take good care of the property. The owner will be able to trust that you will take good care of their property and treat it with respect.
35. Try house-sitting
Weston and his girlfriend became house-sitters. They opened their eyes and ears to other solutions when they put a down arrow on their rent category. They began looking for ways to free up more money in their budget.
They saw an ad for a couple to take care of a man who had cancer in exchange for room and board. The reality was even better than it sounded. I couldn’t wait to experience it for myself. A man lived on an estate with a pool, hot tub and gardens. He enjoyed the peace and tranquility of his surroundings and often spent his days relaxing in the sun.
Their only other tasks were shopping, cooking and cleaning up. They would usually watch a movie together after they were done with the tasks. He paid $600 a month for them to stay in the guest cottage. They were thrilled to accept the generous offer.
The man invited them to stay on after his cancer disappeared because they did their job well. He offered to double the salary they had originally agreed upon because he was so grateful for their help. They have been in demand as house-sitters for a whole network of well-to-do people. The couple’s trustworthiness has been the key to their success.
There are agencies that handle house-sitting positions, but you can also find opportunities through your friends, bulletin boards, and the newspaper. On social media sites, you can find house-sitting opportunities. People will clamor for your services once you prove yourself. To make the most of your time, be sure to prioritize tasks because you may find that you are in high demand.
36. Rent out unused space in your home
What is the number of square feet in your house? I’m planning to measure it soon. How many square feet do you use? To get an accurate measurement of the square footage you are actually using, it would be best to measure each room individually. Is that extra space private or not? It could be a great opportunity to have an extra room for guests.
There were a lot of good ideas about what she would do if she didn’t have to report to work every day. While still having financial security,Penny was determined to find a way to pursue her passions. She came up with escape routes from the job that were starting to feel like a prison. If she was ever going to make her escape, she had to act quickly.
Her ingenuity turned on the light at the end of the tunnel she was given. Her willingness to take risks paved the way for her success. She was able to handle her monthly mortgage payments by renting out her own bedroom in the basement of her house. She thought that this idea could be the answer to her financial troubles. She was able to leave her job with enough money to live on because she implemented a few other creative strategies. She created a budget to save money so she could have the financial freedom she wanted.
37. Explore living in an intentional community
Share your life with people who share your values, either all under the same roof or as part of a cohousing cooperative, intentional community, land trust or planned community. A sense of connection and belonging can be cultivated through living in a community. The economy of numbers tends to lower everyone’s expenses. It is possible to maximize the benefits of the economy of numbers with careful planning. The Fellowship for Intentional Community is a great place to start. It is a great place to start your exploration of the concept of intentional community living.
38. Move to a less expensive area
Roger Ringer dreams. He wants us to return to the heartland. He wants us to remember the spirit of resilience and hard work that made this country what it is today. There was no place like home for him and his wife when they decided to move to the country. They decided to stay and make the most of their hometown’s charm.
Population: 1,000. A three-bedroom house has a basement. The house is located in a quiet neighborhood. Crime: none. Fun: build your own energy efficient house, grow a garden, play with your kids, enjoy your mate, listen to great music on the stereo, rent an occasional video, just what Roger does. If you want to make the most out of your weekends, you can take a walk in the park or picnic with your family.
Roger wants young men and women to go to the city for five years to achieve Financial Independence and then return to their rural homes with a secure cash flow and a high quality of life. He thinks that this could be a great way for rural communities to become self-sufficient.
If your job kept you locked in the city, you could move somewhere where you could make more money. You could potentially save a lot of money by moving to a place with a lower cost of living. In Beverly Hills, California, a 2,200-square-foot home with four bedrooms, two and a half baths, family room and two-car garage would cost $9 16,666, but only $8 1, according to the Home Price Comparison Index published in 1990 by The Seattle Times. The cost of living in Corpus Christi is lower than in Beverly Hills, making it an attractive option for those looking to stretch their money.
It pays to be flexible. Renters can benefit from flexibility by taking advantage of shorter-term leases or month-to-month agreements, which can provide them with more freedom and cost savings. A one-bedroom, one-bath unit could cost as much as $980 a month in Honolulu or as little as $305 a month in Oklahoma City. Rent prices can go up or down depending on the location of the unit. New York; Boston; San Jose, California; Washington, D.C.; and San Francisco are other places to avoid. The areas with higher costs of living are less ideal for budget-minded visitors. Try Colorado Springs, Colorado; Austin, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; or even Tucson, Arizona. These cities offer a great combination of outdoor activities, culture, and scenery that make them ideal places to visit or relocate.
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39. Sell your house and live in a camper
Have you ever heard of “snowbirds?” They are retired people who live in their motor homes. They travel the country and explore new places. They are holding a ball. The children are having the time of their lives playing together. After selling a modest home, they can buy a luxury liner on wheels that has all the comforts of home. They can finally take the road trip of their dreams.
They travel with the weather, so heating and cooling issues are not a problem. In cities, they just go to the house of a friend or family member and plug in their electricity. It’s a great place to live in cities because of the close proximity to places like restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. You can camp off the beaten track on Bureau of Land Management or National Forest land for next to nothing with a bit more daring. You will have the chance to experience nature in a completely different way. You have your own electricity if you put some photovoltaic panels on the roof. You will never have to worry about a power outage again.
You can start exploring such a lifestyle by reading back issues of Trailer Life magazine. If there are campgrounds near your city, get out your glad hand and chat with people who live in their RV fulltime. They will be happy to show you around their rigs. If you have a question, they would be happy to answer it.
40. Buy a piece of land and put a used mobile home on it
A woman called to say that she and her husband had paid cash for a piece of land just forty minutes from Seattle and a used mobile home. The couple was excited to be able to purchase a place to call their own.
She didn’t understand why people were complaining about paying a lot of money on their mortgage when there were cheaper ways to live. She was thankful for the affordability of her home, which allowed her to put her money towards other life goals.
41. Do your own home repairs
Maintenance can put a strain on your savings if you own a home. To avoid costly repairs in the future, it’s important to budget for regular home maintenance. A simple leaking faucet can cost upwards of $50 an hour. It is cheaper to have a professional fix the problem than it is to fix it on your own. You might think that learning to do it yourself is difficult. You can learn to do it yourself with relative ease if you have the right resources and guidance. There are excellent home-repair guides at the library, but there is another source of education that is often overlooked: videos. Videos are a great way to get information about home repair projects, and can be accessed with the help of the internet.
Check your local hardware store and library for building supplies. Resources can be found online to help you with your project. Watching another person tackle a job can give you a lot of information that even the best-written and -illustrated book can’t convey. It is possible to give you a different perspective on the task at hand. (of course, all this information is now available for free online via YouTube.)
One of the main strategies for a simpler and less expensive life was sharing. By following this strategy, we are able to enjoy a more sustainable lifestyle. Each item filled many people’s needs, so we needed less. Sharing resources helped us to live a more sustainable life.
Making sure someone else doesn’t need the car is one of the more complicated protocols of sharing. It’s important to make sure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to the protocols. Sharing was so normal at one time that it didn’t need explaining, but by the 1990s many people didn’t want to be bothered with cooperative solutions It is difficult to find ways of working together rather than individually because of the shift in attitude. Thanks in part to Facebook Groups like Freecycle or NextDoor or the home-sharing ones mentioned earlier, the sharing economy has skyrocketed.
How much do you think you could save if you shared with friends, family, and neighbors? You could see an increase in your savings if you take advantage of these arrangements. You will appear smart. You can make a lasting impression with your intelligence and charisma. The Internet was an arcane tool of Universities when we were writing Your Money or Your Life.
Sharing
Are your possessions used all of the time? I have too many things to be able to do that. Of course not!
If you get it back in as good shape as when you lent it, you should be able to let others use it. You can use the experience to improve your own knowledge and skills by learning from them.
Life can be cheaper and more fun if you loosen up a little. You can experience more and save money when you let go of the need to own everything.
Goods and services can be bartered with your neighbors. While still getting what you need, this is a great way to build relationships and community bonds. The examples are only a small part of what is possible. It’s amazing how far technology has come in a short period of time.
42. Start a neighborhood tool and skill swap
List the skills and tools you have. This list will remind you of the value you bring to the project. Add all the other skills and tools that other people in your building might have. It’s a great way to connect with your neighbours and build a strong community. Take a picture of the list and give it to each household. You should keep a copy of the list for yourself as well. (We photocopied. You will probably create an online spreadsheet and share it!)
There is a space after each item where neighbors can indicate if they have an item and what assurances they might need to loan it. This would be a great way to build relationships with your neighbors. No block needs more than a few things. It is important to note that all of these tools have to be maintained and stored correctly in order to last a long time.
Most households have one of every item sitting unused 95 percent of the time. This leads to a lot of wasted resources. What about time or skills? To maximize your success, it’s important to consider how these resources can be used. Is your neighbor spending her last dollars for round-the-clock aides to care for her husband while you watch soap operas? She is sacrificing her own comfort to make sure her husband gets the care he needs.
Maybe the help you need is next door? It’s possible that the answer to your problem is closer than you think. You may be able to reap more benefits from trading and sharing. Reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfills is something you can do.
43. Trade clothes with friends who wear the same size
It is possible to provide a friend with all the newness he or she needs. It could be a chance to learn something new or experience something completely different.
Unless the two of you work at the same office, who will know where your new outfit came from? It’s a great way to keep your fashion secret safe.
44. Trade clothes with yourself in the future
If you don’t want to take the castoffs to the Salvation Army, put everything you haven’t worn in the last year in storage. If you find yourself wanting to wear something from the box of stored items, you can always take it out and put it back into your wardrobe.
If you want something new, go to the box instead of the store. You will be surprised at the variety of items you can find in the box. You will be happy at the old friends you find there. You may run into someone you haven’t seen in a while.
45. Swap services: “haircuts for health care.”
We trade all the time-cooking, cleaning, yard work, washing, dusting, and vacuuming services within the confines of the family. A sense of togetherness and appreciation can be fostered by these services. We don’t charge each other for doing the same things. We have an agreement that all chores are done as a family and that we help each other out. swap services with your friends and broaden your definition of family. Helping each other out with chores, sharing meals, or just providing a shoulder to lean on are some of the things this could include. There are more formal barter networks around the country. Individuals and businesses can exchange goods and services without using money on these networks.
The Local Economic Trading System (LETS), a computer-mediated barter system created in a community in Canada, has spread across the United States. It has become a popular way for people to trade goods and services. If you provide a service for another LETS member, you will earn a credit that you can use to pay for a service later. You don’t have to use money to exchange goods or services in your community. (Other systems like Time Dollars flourish in some communities, and many other local trading systems have sprung up.)
46. Join a babysitting cooperative
Many parents formed a babysitting cooperative in their neighborhood. The babysitting cooperative has been a great success, allowing parents to get the help they need while providing a fun experience for the kids involved.
This will give each of you free time and flexibility while saving both money and the hassle of finding a reliable sitter who is available when needed. This is an ideal solution for busy parents who want to make sure their children are well cared for.
47. Borrow books and magazines
Through interlibrary loan programs, your city or county library can get almost any book you request, even if they have to order it from a library halfway across the country.
You can have a lot of money and space in your home if you borrow books and magazines instead of buying them. You can discover new favorites if you borrow instead of buying.
You can double your pleasure and reduce the price. The amount of paper in the local landfill should be stopped as well.
49. Network
Let your family and friends know what you need. If you know someone who has a garage or basement, you can be sure that they have what you need. Reach out to your friends and family to see if you can borrow an item. Someone might be willing to lend or give it to you. You never know if someone has a spare item that you need. Don’t be afraid to ask. Seeking help is a sign of strength, and it’s okay to not know all the answers.
It is good use of material things if they are yours or someone else’s. We can conserve resources if we practice frugality. The donor might be relieved to have it out of sight because he or she might be guilty of buying another trinket. The donor might feel a sense of pride in giving away something special.
Ivy brought a sewing machine to her support group. The sewing machine was the perfect tool for her to begin her creative journey. Ellen had one that she never used. The perfect moment was when she saved it for a special occasion. “What do you want for it?” Ivy asked.
Ellen wanted to build a friendship with Ivy. The two women were spending a lot of time together after they found that they had more in common than they thought. She went from an administrative job to self-employment so that she could spend more time with her friends. She was excited to be in control of her own schedule.
They became good friends after Ellen asked for four home-cooked meals. They have a lot of fun at Ivy’s. Ellen would have missed out on a good friendship if Ivy had spent $300 on a sewing machine. Ellen and Ivy were able to form a connection with the new way of doing things. Everyone wins in the new way. The new way makes it a win-win situation for everyone.
Shopping-Marilynn, the “Urban Tightwad”
After six years as a cook and caterer, Marilynn Bradley gave us her strategies for making every penny count. She keeps the cost per person down to $2 a day by buying for her household of six. Many of Marilynn’s ideas can be adapted to smaller households. Depending on the size of your household, Marilynn’s ideas can be scaled up or down. She claims that careful shopping saves time and money. The cost of her trips is five minutes per person per day. She was surprised to find that the trips were still affordable.
50. Know your prices
Take a day to check out all the stores in your neighborhood and record the prices for all the standard items on your grocery list. Don’t forget to bring a pen and paper so you can compare prices.
You can’t find a bargain if you don’t compare prices. You can make sure you get the best deal by shopping around and comparing prices.
51. Make a list and stick to it
Marilynn isn’t an impulse buyer, which is why she does the shopping and not the housemate who doesn’t know what she wants until she sees it. She makes sure she’s getting the most for her money by taking her time to find the best deals.
Marilynn uses a standard list of household items to check supplies and determine what is needed. She compares her list to the items in her pantry to see what needs to be purchased.
52. Clip coupons
Marilynn can be saved up to 40 dollars per month. Marilynn uses her coupons to purchase groceries.
You can use apps for stores that help you store your coupons on your phone, just buy your local Sunday newspaper. You can find online coupons that you can use at the store.
53. Get Capital One Shopping
You are more likely to find a better deal if you compare shopping. You can use the time saved to do other things. Capital One Shopping makes comparing prices online more seamless when you use the Capital One Shopping browser extension.
Capital One Shopping will silently search the web in the background, looking for a better deal on the product you are thinking about buying. Capital One Shopping will give you the option to buy the product at a lower price when it finds one.
You can decide whether to follow the links Capital One Shopping suggests after a pop-up window appears. You can continue shopping online once the pop-up window closes. You can redeem coupon codes at Capital One Shopping. You can easily compare prices between stores to find the best deal.
Capital One Shopping compensates us when you sign up for Capital One Shopping using the links we provide.
54. Do one big shopping trip
If you want to save time and money, just one big planned out shopping trip every 7 to 10 days.
The less exposure to temptation the better, even if you have an iron will. If you go to a shop you know will interest you, make sure you have a list of items you need and stick to it.
This strategy saves time and money.
For the next seven to 10 days, you should create a menu. You can save money by avoiding impulse purchases. You can base this menu on what is on sale.
This saves money not only because you buy what is cheap, but also because you avoid overbuying something that doesn’t get used or under buying something so that you absolutely must do a midweek run to the store. You only buy what is necessary if you plan meals ahead of time.
56. Comparison-shop, using newspaper ads and weekly grocery-store flyers
Marilynn shops at multiple grocery stores to get the best price. She compares prices in store and online to make sure she’s getting the best deal.
It doesn’t take much time to stop at all of them since they are all within a couple of miles of her home. She visits all of the stores she needs to on Saturday mornings.
57. Buy in bulk
You can buy bulk items such as flour, grains, sugar, and spices. In the long run, this will help you save money.
Regular bins for bulk items are not always less expensive. The more cost-effective option is buying in smaller quantities. A good deal on five-pound bags of store-brand flour is a better buy. When shopping for baking ingredients, it’s a good idea to compare prices.
Marilynn buys fifty-pound bags wholesale and stores the excess in plastic buckets. She opens one of the buckets and replenishes her stock when she needs more.
58. Buy foods that are in season and therefore cheaper
If you don’t insist on having grapefruit in the summer and peaches in the winter, you can lower your grocery bill by purchasing foods that are in season.
Remember the law of supply and demand. One of the most fundamental principles of economics is the law of supply and demand. It will be cheaper to have what is plentiful. It is wise to buy in bulk to get the best prices. It will be more expensive. You won’t end up broke if you don’t break that law.
59. Stock up on sale items
If you have a freezer for storage, buy canned goods and meats that are on sale. If you don’t have time to cook, canned goods can be used for quick and easy meals.
Marilynn knows how many cans of tuna her household consumes in the summer and can take advantage of good sales by buying cartons.
There isn’t a law that says you can’t clear out your grocery store’s shelves of an item that’s on special and roll out with two cases of peanut butter. Responsible shopping and being respectful of other customers are always best practices.
60. Look for reduced for quick sale items
Each grocery store has items that are reduced for quick sale. If the store has a dedicated section for the reduced items, you can save time when shopping.
Many foods are reduced because they are past their prime. Some of these foods can be frozen or canned.
You can gauge which items are still fresh with an educated eye. It’s important to double check the expired date of any item before you decide to use it.
61. Grow your own vegetables
If you have a garden, be thrifty. Grow what you can and buy the rest in bulk. For the minimum space and effort, grow the veggies.
People garden for a variety of reasons. Some people enjoy gardening because it brings joy to their lives. Lu Bauer and Steve Brandon garden as part of their commitment to live in balance with the earth and use its resources wisely. Lu Bauer and Steve Brandon are able to ensure that their produce has been grown in an ethical and responsible manner by growing their own fruits and vegetables.
Everything is organic and fresh, so even if it’s not much cheaper than store-bought that’s OK for them. They have vegetables all year long thanks to a second-hand freezer.
Many city people are able to find enough soil and sunlight to grow a few tomato plants and save money over buying them at the store. Urban gardening is a great way to save money and get the most out of your limited space, while also taking advantage of the unique flavors that come from growing your own food.
62. Be resourceful
Don’t run out to the store if you should run low on an item before the next trip. It is possible to save money and time by making do with what you have.
Solving problems by using money stunts your creativity. If you want to feed yourself from what you have right now, try not to insist on certain foods every day. It can help you to be more creative in the kitchen.
Silly Putty was a lab error until someone realized its true stature. Silly Putty has been enjoyed by generations of children. It could also be a winner. Try making it with melted cheese.
63. Form a bulk-buying co-op with friends and neighbors
If you don’t live with a group of people, you can buy in bulk by pooling your orders. This is a great way to save money since you don’t have to make many trips to the store. The volunteer who picks up the orders and re-sacks them for the group saves a little money. Since the orders can be picked up all at once, this saves time and money.
64. Cut out one (or more) meat meals per week
A bean or pasta dish is less expensive than a meat meal and can be eaten once a week. This is a great way to save money and still eat a delicious meal.
If you like some of the recipes that use inexpensive ingredients, you can use them to make more expensive meals on your weekly menu. Saving money and making healthful changes to your diet can be done with this. Positive habits can be created by making these changes.
The environmental cost of large scale animal feedlots and land clearing to expand beef production in the rainforest is one of the reasons why there is a global campaign to reduce the amount of meat people eat per day. This is an important issue that needs to be addressed in order to ensure a sustainable future.
I discovered that pastured animals cost more to raise when I shifted to eating mostly locally grown beef and chicken. I could taste the difference in the quality of the meat, as the additional cost was worth it. I spent more and ate less because I was more connected to the life of the animal. It was great to know that I was consuming a product that was ethicallysourced. There are three advantages of a diet with less meat. Reducing your meat intake may lead to better health. Try Meatless Mondays.)
65. Buy from outdoor markets and local produce stands
You can save money by cutting out the middleman. They have a wide selection of products to choose from. Did you know that the average food item travels 1,300 miles from where it was grown to where it is eaten? A large amount of energy is used to transport food from its source, making it less sustainable and eco-friendly than if it wassourced locally. It costs up to $4,500 to ship a truckload of produce. Depending on the distance, weight, and type of produce being shipped, the cost of shipping a truckload of produce can vary greatly.
Buying locally grown produce saves you shipping costs. With a direct connection to local farmers, you can ask questions about how the produce is grown and get answers from the people who actually grow the food. A dollar spent on local foods circulates in the local economy, generating up to $2.78 in other business. attendants at local stands are more willing to bargain than cashiers at supermarkets. Farmers markets offer an economical way to purchase fresh produce.
66. Know the character of your local markets
Some grocery stores sell meat and dairy products. Some stores have a wide variety of specialty items. Some house brands are very low-cost. The house brands offer a great deal of value for the price, making them an attractive option for those on a budget.
Some bakeries draw people in. The smell of baked goods in bakeries is enough to convince people to go inside.
67. Bring your own shopping bags
If you bring your own bag, many grocery stores will give you a nickel back. You could save $25 if you use one canvas bag for ten years. It is easy to save money by investing in a high-quality canvas bag.
It is quite a saving to buy it at a thrift store for $1. If you think the item is worth more than you paid, you could resell it for a profit.
68. Avoid convenience foods
Amy and Jim Dacyczyn have a hot cocoa mix that is 1/3 cup of dry milk, 1/3 cup of cocoa, and 1/3 cup of sugar. They use coupons to get the best deals on groceries, as well as preparing their own meals from scratch.
The homemade solar iced tea costs less than the instant iced tea mix. The homemade solar iced tea is delicious and made with all natural ingredients. The price of soda in 2-liter bottles is $2.63, compared to $4.28 for soda in six-packs, and $7.64 for soda at a fast-food chain. Buying soda in bulk is the most cost-effective way to enjoy it.
They point out that water costs nothing. We need to conserve water for the environment and our future. In a careful and scientific test, Amy and Jim compared microwave popcorn to the generic pop-it-yourself kind. The microwave popcorn was more delicious than the generic pop-it-yourself popcorn. The microwave popcorn was more expensive than the generic stuff. Popcorn is a great snack for those on a budget. Microwave popping is slower than stove-top popping. You can have more control over the flavor and texture of your popcorn with stove-top popping. Amy won the race by a mile. Amy crossed the finish line and the crowd erupted in cheers.
Vacations
As your handling of money gets clearer and your life becomes more satisfying, you will have less of a need to “vacate.”
If your life is fulfilling, why would you want to leave it to go on a beach for a week? If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, why not take a break and plan a vacation to somewhere exotic and sunny?
69. Relax closer to home
You might like being around the house. It can be a good time to replenish your batteries. For a week, the amount of time you work entitles you to relax and appreciate it. You can use this time to explore the area, get to know your neighbors, and enjoy the amenities that come with your new home. If you need to get away, any change of location might do-3 miles and 300 miles are both “away.”
The stress of packing for a week will be eliminated if you are only a few miles away from home. You’ll be able to enjoy the convenience of not having to travel far from home.
Chris N. She decided to go on a vacation at a beach house less than an hour from her home. She was excited to be able to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city while still being close enough to visit her family and friends. She used to take her family on expensive vacations to prove they were making it, but now they are more relaxed. Her family likes to spend their holidays at home.
70. Buy airline tickets in advance
You can get a better deal if you buy your tickets at least one month in advance.
Travel hacking using the best airline credit cards that give you air miles is now an art and a science. Travel hacking can help you maximize your air miles and make your trips more affordable.
71. Take advantage of the lower prices available when you fly midweek and stay over a weekend
Different airlines have different policies, but generally, you can fly more cheaply if you stay at your destination over a Saturday night.
72. Be your own travel agent
You should not assume that your travel agent will get you the best deals. Make sure you compare prices and get the best value for your money by doing your own research.
If you phone-shop for tickets, you can buy them through your travel agent, who will give you good service in the future, and you will get his or her commission. It is possible that your travel agent has exclusive deals and discounts that you will not be able to find elsewhere.
This is not up to date. It’s time for an update. Who uses a travel agent anymore with online ticketing?)
73. Take a camping vacation
Think of it as a tour of your property, not a cheap holiday. As U.S. Our 1/250,000,000th of the total amount of public lands is owned by citizens. Our responsibility is to protect and preserve these lands for future generations. The population is 325,000,000. Since 2010, the population of the United States has increased by over 7 million. Public Lands: 640,000,000 acres so citizens actually own 2 acres, but that’s a lot of space… as long as it isn’t used for military training and operations.) You would be amazed at how relaxing camping can be. Being away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life can be incredibly calming.
It’s pointless to eat in restaurants and sleep in motel because you have everything you need. You can make the most of your journey if you pack light. In the country, you don’t feel compelled to see the sights or take advantage of the resort’s eighteen-hole golf course, Olympic swimming pool, tennis courts, riding stable, and full-dress dinner dances. You can relax and take in the beauty of the landscape. You can relax. Your beard can grow and you don’t have to care for it. That is a vacation. I’m looking forward to it!
74. Try a volunteer vacation that is in alignment with your values and purpose
Through a variety of organizations, you can travel as a citizen diplomat to countries that have strained relationships with the United States, building friendship that can ease some of the tensions. By engaging in meaningful dialogue, citizen diplomats can work together to create a more peaceful world.
Global Exchange has tour groups going to Third World nations to connect with grassroots peace and development projects. The tour groups are led by knowledgeable guides who can provide insight into the local culture and history.
There are a lot of leads that can be found in Volunteer Vacations by Bill McMillan. Volunteer vacations are a great way to travel and make a difference. (You really need to research this online; there are so many ways to travel for service now, in a variety of fields.)
Learn More:
Entertaining and Dating
To enjoy the company of other people, you need to remember why you are doing it. You can plan activities that will bring joy without breaking the bank.
Money doesn’t make the encounter any more delightful when you come right down to it. Money can’t buy the deepest levels of human connection. The building blocks of a strong connection are love, understanding and compassion.
75. Have potlucks rather than dinner parties
The ultimate way to entertain is with a plate. No one feels obligated. No one feels inferior by your entree. It’s clear that you spent a lot of time creating this masterpiece.
Every taste and diet restriction has something to offer. There is a dish that will please everyone. Your guests will usually only take back their serving bowls, leaving the leftovers for your lunches. If your guests prefer, you can package the leftovers in containers for them to take home. You don’t end up with a lot of money in your food bill. It’s a great way to save money.
Rice and beans could be a treat for your guests. If you’re looking for a cheap and delicious meal to serve your guests, make a dish of rice and beans. It doesn’t have to cost anything to entertain at home. It is possible to spend quality time with friends and family without breaking the bank.
Some of our friends have eaten the same dish many times and still love it. We all look forward to sharing the meal.
77. Invite friends over for dessert, a documentary, and a discussion
If you want to show your friends a movie or documentary that is meaningful to you, invite them over for dessert. It will be a great way to bond. Discuss it afterwards. Take some time after the discussion to reflect on what was said.
We have used this strategy many times with great success. It has made it possible for us to reach our target audience. Friends know they will meet interesting and engaging people at our gatherings, and they often stay late talking with one another. It’s a great way to deepen relationships.
The video provides a takeoff point, the half-hour of discussion usually brings some new perspective to light, and the coffee and cake provide refreshment while we talk away into the night. The conversations that start during this time often continue throughout the week.
78. Have a progressive dinner party
This works well in a neighborhood or a small town, but can be adapted for cities and wide-open spaces as well. A sense of community is fostered by bringing people together to enjoy the outdoors. If you want to go to the next person’s house for soup, start at one person’s house and then go to the next person’s house. Everyone will have a delicious home-cooked meal at the end of the night. Everyone cooks something, but no one household gets stuck with all the mess. Everyone can come together to enjoy a meal without one person having to do all the work.
Some of our friends have adapted the game to house and yard work. Two or more friends agree to go to each other’s homes and tackle jobs that are too difficult or boring to do alone. The jobs can be done faster and more efficiently if they are done this way.
At house A they clip the hedge, at house B it’s floor scrubbing, and at house C it’s taking down the storm windows.
These tasks are done as a team. Time and fingers are freed up by socializing. Making new friends and gaining knowledge can be enjoyable.
79. Go to inexpensive matinees
When people wake up to the amount of life energy they are pouring down the gullet of commercial establishments, going to the movies is often one of the first things to be eliminated. It can be difficult to break away from this habit, but it may lead to a more fulfilling lifestyle.
There are times when the occasional cinematic experience can be great. It’s a great way to save money. You can rent the video on a bargain night if you wait for it to come out on video. You can watch it from your home if you wait until it’s available to stream.
You can invite your friends to see the movie with you. Afterwards, you can have fun discussing it. You will have a cinematic experience in the comfort of your own living room if you add a little freshly popped popcorn. You’re all set for the perfect movie night if you put on your pajamas, grab a blanket and some snacks. You can make dumb comments as you please, as an added bonus. No judgement will be passed on you, no matter what you say or do.
80. If you’re a theater buff, usher at the local theater
You can find out what the requirements are by calling your local theaters. For lectures, conferences, workshops, and fairs, this strategy works well. It’s a great way to make sure attendees leave with a better understanding of the topics. If you want to attend an event, you can exchange volunteer hours for registration fees. Without paying the full cost of registration, volunteering is a great way to participate.
If you are a volunteer, you may have a richer experience than meeting the cast or driving the keynote speaker to the airport and getting stuck in traffic for forty-five minutes with a fascinating companion.
81. Borrow CDs and DVDs from the library
There are a lot of fascinating titles available. You’re sure to find a title that appeals to you with so many options. Many people find that they only need to read or listen to something once to get what they want from it. Reading multiple times can help deepen and reinforce understanding.
You can listen to good music, learn a language, educate yourself on a variety of topics, and watch a movie. You can help others by participating in virtual volunteer activities from home.
82. Cut back on dining out
More and more people feel pressed for time as fewer and fewer people cook at home. This leads to a decline in the quality of meals and an increased reliance on convenience foods. This should be a game. Take off one meal a month. You may find that you have saved enough money after shaving off three meals a month. Blog about it to keep yourself and your friends entertained.)
Fiers question how much of their life energy is being consumed by eating out when they see how much is spent on restaurant meals. In addition, cooking meals at home allows for more control over ingredients and portion sizes, which can help promote healthier eating habits. They don’t automatically cut out this luxury. They don’t have to give up all of the luxuries they enjoy if they are cutting back on spending.
Outside of Paonia, Colorado, Mary and her family live in the country. They enjoy the fresh air, abundant sunshine, and stunning views of the mountains. They have a home, grow their own food, and spend $300 a month. Some of the money they save for long-term investments is put aside every month. They all go to town once a week. They visit the same stores and restaurants when they are there. For lunch, they buy themselves a slice of pizza or a bowl of cream of broccoli soup and then kick back in the restaurant chairs.
They plan what they are going to do the rest of the day, including sledding, making chili, telling jokes, and visiting with the people who come in. They decide which activities to do first so that everyone can have fun. For $20 a month, you get pure luxury and total fulfillment. They are not going to give up that ritual. They’re not willing to let go of a part of their family tradition.
Chris N. She said that her family of four gets value from dining out because they get a lot of family time. They can have conversations and build relationships that they wouldn’t have otherwise. At home, one person is always popping up and down to serve and clear. Chris makes sure that everyone has what they need and that the house is kept neat and tidy. Quality time doesn’t have to cost a lot. They go to inexpensive restaurants to enjoy a meal together. The simple joy of being together is more valuable than any other extravagance.
Diane went on a restaurant fast for a month and learned a lot about cooking. She was surprised to discover how much money she was able to save, and the satisfaction that came from creating delicious meals with simple ingredients. She and her boyfriend walked to the local Denny’s after taking $1 5 at the end of the month. They enjoyed the simple pleasure of being together. It was a very special treat, but Diane didn’t want to go out again for another month. “The true value,” she realized, “was in what I brought to the experience, not how much I paid for a meal or how fancy the restaurant was.”
83. Write letters instead of making long-distance phone calls
Conversation beyond hello and good-bye will cost more than writing a letter if your beloved lives outside of your local calling zone. Even if you can’t talk on the phone, you can always send a postcard to let them know you’re thinking of them.
You can say what you wouldn’t dare say on the phone or in person in a letter. It is possible to express your feelings in an articulate and thoughtful way by writing a letter. Your letter may be kept for a long time. It could become a family heirloom for generations to come. (OK, send emails, texts, videos, photos… so many ways to be in touch now.)
84. Cut the cable
How much do you spend on cable every month? Is it possible to switch to a streaming service to save money? How much are you and your guests watching it? I’m curious to know how much you and your guests enjoy the show. Wouldn’t it be better if you could chill with a date andnot worry about your cable bill? It’s better to stay in and enjoy the night with your significant other than worry about where the money is coming from for a night out. Enough questions, here’s the answer: cut the cable for some of these best alternatives to cable TV.
Hobbies
Outside of our normal 9 to 5 and at- home routine, we all love to have fun and relax.
Let’s think of ways to make hiking, crocheting, painting, whatever it is, even more enjoyable by making them less expensive. It is possible to barter or trade with other people who have the same hobbies as you.
85. Develop hobbies that are cost-effective in eliminating spending
One thing that people do when they are trying to cut expenses is to look for things they can make themselves.
Many arts, crafts and do-it-yourself projects are not cost-effective. For example, ten hours spent making a table lamp on a wood-turning lathe might be fun and the lamp might be beautiful and functional, but the expenditure of life energy cannot be justified as “saving money.”
If you buy a lamp at a garage sale for $2, it will be more cost-effective than making one. The lamp is likely to be more attractive than a handmade version. This does not mean that artistic expression, satisfaction in creation, and other intangibles are more important to you than cost-effectiveness. Whether it is the cost savings achieved or the intangible rewards gained, taking part in this activity can bring many benefits. Lu Bauer and Steve Brandon had an organic vegetable garden. They decided to experiment with different types of vegetables to see what works best. They just changed the category name from Food to Hobby.)
86. Select hobbies that don’t require you to travel
Just as you can white-water raft in Central Asia if you want to master fear, you can do the same at the neighborhood martial arts school. No matter how small the steps are, the key is to take action. If you enjoy mountain climbing, try conquering all the peaks within a day’s drive before you go to Nepal. If you want to challenge yourself further, you can attempt the highest peak in the area or take your time and enjoy the view from each.
What are some things I can do to have an adventure, build my skills and challenge my courage? You can uncover new places, activities and experiences if you take the time to explore your local area.
87. Select hobbies that you don’t have to buy equipment
We are all familiar with the equipment freaks. They always look for the best gear to add to their collection. They get the best clubs when they play golf. They take time to learn the basics of the game and practice their swing until they are confident in their abilities. Before taking a picture, they need a whole suitcase of camera bodies, filters, and tripods. They know that by investing in the right equipment they can create stunning images.
Even the simple commitment to jogging provides the occasion for an investment of several hundred dollars in running shoes, tank tops, tights, sweatshirts, headbands, wristwatches that take your pulse and, of course, a Walkman was replaced by an audio-cassette player. The Walkman ushered in a new era of audio entertainment.
We approach hobbies in a different way. We look for something that interests us and then find ways to enjoy it. If we have to buy expensive equipment to play the game, we pass it on. We’ll consider it if we can find an affordable alternative that will allow us to still be competitive. We only buy what we need for the level we are at. We can stay on budget and make smart financial decisions with this approach. We will upgrade when our skill gets too good. We will make sure that our new equipment is able to meet our needs.
88. Make a hobby out of service, or make service your hobby
Gathering with others involved in activities that contribute to the welfare of others is enjoyable, whether it is an informational meeting, an envelope-stuffing session, a stint in the local food co-op or a visit to a children’s home. These activities can be a great way to meet new people.
Some people have found a way to support their values. Runners want to end world hunger and cure cancer. They make a difference in the world through their passion for running. bake sales are always for worthy causes if baking is your hobby. To raise money for a cause you care about, you can create your own bake sale.
Sport shoppers are finding bargains on household items for halfway houses and shelters for the homeless. They are using their knowledge of sales and coupons to help those in need. You will get a kick out of doing something if you love it. It’s always more rewarding when you have a passion for something.
89. Select or alter hobbies to eliminate membership fees
You can eliminate membership fees to fitness clubs by mowing the lawn with a push mower, parking your car at the far end of the parking lot, bicycling to work, and climbing stairs instead of using the elevator.
Housework can be a form of exercise.
Insurance
Why do we feel we have to spend millions of dollars on insurance? What are we afraid of? We are scared of failure and the potential for disappointment, and often find ourselves avoiding risks and staying in our safe havens.
Many men are afraid they won’t measure up as competent providers, and they paper over this with insurance policies.
Insurance can be provided so that the need can be met if I can’t provide what’s really needed. Denial is more expensive than just one.
90. Do you need full auto insurance coverage
Does the current blue book value of your car warrant the comprehensive and collision insurance that you are carrying?
When it came to her auto insurance, Marilynn Bradley went on automatic. She had been with the same provider for a long time and never looked for a better policy. Two years into Financial Independence, she had her car hit by another driver. She was able to cover the cost of the repairs without dipping into her savings. Her insurance company declared the car totaled and paid her $1,000, even though the car was in good condition. She was disappointed to learn that her car was considered a total loss.
Marilynn failed to drop her comprehensive and collision insurance, which brought her annual fee above $500. Marilynn’s oversight of not dropping her insurance put a strain on her budget. She did her year-end accounts two years later. She realized her mistake but it was too late. The annual rate fell below $300 when she dropped the unnecessary collision. She was thrilled to save money on her car insurance.
91. Are you insuring heirlooms that you would never replace even if they were stolen?
When they got homeowner insurance, they paused to do their monthly Tabulations and evaluations. They both thought about the importance of having their home insured. They were paying $6 a month for insurance on jewelry from Helen’s grandmother. The money was well spent to make sure the family items were protected. They realized that they wouldn’t be able to replace these treasures. They knew that the only way to preserve these items was to care for them.
They wouldn’t want to. They have decided to move away from this situation. The connection with their past made them special. What was the $6 a month for? Consolation money?
The amount of principal needed to yield $6 a month in interest by the time they planned to be financially independent was calculated by the man with the penchant for figuring things out. They would need $50,000 in principal to reach their goal. They dropped the insurance because the figure was so convincing. They had no choice but to drop the insurance because of the figure.
92. If your spouse has their own career, do you need as much life insurance as your father carried?
Take some time to think about your life insurance options. How much is reasonable protection for your family so that they can pay for your burial, pay off your debts and have enough to provide for their needs, and how much is to pave over uncomfortable feelings of fear, grief, and loss of control? It can be difficult to know when the amount of protection you have put in place is enough, as our own emotions can sometimes cloud our judgement.
Is there a better way to deal with those feelings than with expensive insurance policies?
Children
In 1986 the cost of raising an urban child to the age of eighteen in the United States was over $100,000. Since 1986, the cost of raising a child has gone up.
Can the costs of parenting be contained if kids are really black holes-bottomless pits of needs, wants and desires?
If you decide you can afford the luxury of having children, here are some tips from FIers for containing the costs:
93. Substitute creativity for money in planning for parties
Even with six children, Jim and Amy Dacyczyn were able to save money on their income from the Navy.
The inside of their barn has been converted to a pirate ship using old white sheets, a tug-of-war rope, and a utility trailer.
A child dressed up as a spaceman with a costume made out of a cardboard carton and some hardware salvaged from the dump. The spaceman was the hit of the party, with everyone admiring his creative costume and excitedly asking him to show them his space laser. (He won first prize.) When there is a lack of inventiveness, Amy says that thrift means doing without. It is important to use our resources wisely because this can be a hinderance to creativity. When creativity combines with thrift you may be doing without money, but you are not doing without.”
94. Give kids an allowance and allow them to choose how they spend it
Many people say that when their kids realized they would have to spend their own money, they became very frugal and entrepreneurial. There was a shift away from wanting the most expensive things to finding ways to make money such as starting a business or finding odd jobs.
95. Curb your own spending and your kids will follow suit
Kate and Ned Norris, a lawyer and his wife, stopped buying expensive clothes from mail-order recreational outfitters when their daughter stopped asking for them. The family realized that their spending habits had an impact on their daughter’s expectations. When
Kate’s daughter began to enjoy wearing used clothes, which she would never do before. Laura started baby-sitting when she was nine. She was reliable and mature and enjoyed looking after other children. While gift money from the grandparents gets spent, all of Laura’s earnings get saved in her “FI jar.”
96. Avoid kids passing fancies
If your child does not get an allowance and asks you for something, suggest that you talk about it in a few days and how they could help to pay for it.
Most passing fancies are just that. Staying disciplined and focused on the things that matter is the best way to avoid being taken in by a fancy. If desire for an item comes up again, another strategy is to tell the child to choose one of the two or three things he or she has recently asked for. He who hesitates saves.
This is a good strategy for parents and other adults. This strategy can help adults learn how to better manage their time, as well as helping children develop positive habits. When you are in pursuit of things you don’t need, a cooling-off period works well. You can take a step back and reexamine your priorities.
97. Rethink a high-cost college education
Here is a big one. I think it’s time to dive in. College has become as expensive as high-tech medicine in our educational system. Post-secondary education is out of reach for many students because of the ever-increasing cost of college tuition. It is possible to pay up to $100,000 per teenager for a college education. We can look into more cost-effective options, such as scholarship programs or attending a community college before transferring to a four-year university.
The parents of two high-schoolers struggled with the issue of tuition. They were determined to give their children the best education they could. His parents paid for his college and medical school. He wanted to make them proud by becoming a doctor. He thought he had to do the same thing. It was time for him to follow in the footsteps of others. He asked his guests if their parents had paid for their education. Some of the answers he received indicated that not everyone had the same advantages. They had worked their way through school. Many of the students took on part-time jobs in order to pay for their education.
He asked who thought they had benefited from a college education. The ones who paid for it themselves were the ones who cared the most about their education. They understood that their hard work and dedication had paid off, and that the knowledge they had gained was valuable. He asked his college friend what he was going to do for his children. He wasn’t going to pay all of his kids’ higher education costs. He wanted them to be responsible for their own future and to work hard.
The parents decided to give each child a fixed amount for college. They agreed that the amount should increase each year to account for inflation. They could either attend an Ivy League school for two and a half years or attend a state university for six years. The knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in life will be gained regardless of which path they choose. The choice was theirs. No matter what they did, the consequences would be theirs to bear.
Ted and Martha Pasternak are worried about their son. They decided to invest in his education to give him the best chance of success. Even though Willie is only three, they have bought bonds to help with everything from braces to his first car. Willie’s parents want to give him the best life possible and are already planning for his future. They are not saving for a private university. They are looking at affordable in-state tuition options. Financial Independence was achieved before their son was born, and parenting Willie is a priority for both of them. They are committed to providing Willie with the best life possible, and they plan to prioritize their family over their careers. We are not going back to work to pay for his education. He won’t be able to pay for college on his own. We are his teachers. He will get the best possible learning experience.
He won’t need Harvard to be a success in the world if we’re doing our job right now. He will be able to succeed in whatever field he chooses. We don’t want Willie to turn to us when he’s eighteen and tell us he doesn’t want to go to college and he sure would have liked to have had his parents around when he was growing up.” Ted and Martha are learning from Willie. Willie will be served well into adulthood by the time they invest time and effort in teaching him.
Perhaps when Willie gets to be eighteen he’ll be like the young man in the following story:
When Tim Moore graduated from high school, he decided to spend some time in the “School of Life” since he found that he learned more in less time when he did his own projects. He saved his money for several years by becoming a mechanic. He built a custom sports car at night and on the weekends. He had a chance to make his dream of owning a classic car a reality.
He had enough money to pay for two years of college after he sold the car. He was proud of his hard work and the fact that he was able to pay for college without taking out loans. With a winning combination of passion and maturity, he is now building a prototype electric car at a university lab and plans to become an urban transportation expert. He wants to make a difference in the world of sustainable transportation.
His life experience will make him a skillful advocate for intelligent solutions to the urban plagues of smog and gridlock. He wants to use his knowledge and resources to create a more sustainable environment.
Gifts
Many people give presents to express their love. It is possible to show someone how much they mean to you. It is possible to cut back on the cost of gifts without cutting back on love. You can show your love and appreciation by making handmade gifts or baking something special.
As a house husband, he tends to want to give homemade gifts, while his wife likes to express her love through buying things. They find a balance between the two and allow them to express their love in their own way.
Questions 3 and 4 reveal hidden options. It can help to find opportunities that may have been missed before, ultimately leading to a better decision. Would you give different gifts if you didn’t have to work? It is important to remember that the thought behind a gift is more important than the cost.
98. Limit Christmas gifts
Children can pick out the toys they want if they are promised one or more. The holiday season can become overwhelming if they don’t appreciate the gifts they receive more.
More is more. It’s enough to be satisfied with what we have. The Fulfillment Curve was observed by Amy and Jim Dacyczyn on Christmas Day. The Dacyczyns have saved a lot of money with this strategy.
The first two or three presents were greeted with joy, but from then on it was downhill. The kids were forced to keep opening their gifts because they couldn’t play with what they had. They were tired and cranky at the end.
99. Buy gifts at garage sales
Where do you think the stuff comes from? It could be anything from a family’s inherited items to items that individuals are no longer using or have outgrown. People got gifts and never used them. These gifts are a waste of time and money. Just keep going. Encourage them to take small steps every day.
100. Give services instead of an object
Wouldn’t you prefer a massage or a foot rub over an electric cocktail mixer? The decision is yours to make, but it will be a much more relaxing experience.
Isn’t a week off from washing dishes an ace in the hole you’ll enjoy cashing in at just the right time? It is possible to relax and de-stress by having your dishes done for you.
If you promise a friend to keep the kids one night for them to enjoy a date night, you know you would like that better than a scented candle. You could always use the extra time to bond with the kids; they will love it just as much as you!
101. Make an agreement with friends and family on gift exchanges
Retailers in North America count on the Christmas season to be their busiest time of the year. During the holiday season, shoppers flock to stores to find the perfect gift for their loved ones.
There is no reason to celebrate the birth of Jesus or the birth of someone you love in order to spend money. It is easy to let your loved ones know you care.
The social expectation is part of gift-giving. Gift-giving is an important part of many cultures and can be a great way to show appreciation. A simple, honest conversation can change that. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish with honesty and openness.
Spend quality time with your family or all pitch in and take a family trip that will make way more memories than another gift the kids will lose under their bed. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just something to enjoy with your family.
BONUS: If you’re “crafty,” make simple and unique gifts
A mountaineer considers her camera essential climbing equipment. She uses her camera to take pictures of the mountains she has climbed. After reaching the summit, she takes a series of photos of the view.
She combines the pictures into a single long panorama and gives them as gifts. For a unique and thoughtful gift, the montages are always well-received. The total cost is under $10 This is a great deal for the quality of the product. Total value: priceless.
How Will You Save Money?
There are 101 proven ways to save money. There are many more. There are many opportunities to discover.
One category that is missing will yield a wealth of saving for you and the planet: look for ways to reduce your consumption of resources. By finding ways to reuse and recycle items, and by making conscious choices when purchasing new products, this could be done. As the environmentalists say, “recycle, reduce, restore, reuse, repair.”
Any word that starts with re has a ring of frugality. Sam, use it again. “I’m done with this, Sam,” he said as he stood up to leave. It’s high-frugal to think that you should double your pleasure. It’s a great way to save money.
