Money Saving Tips

- Compare prices online. There are several sites where you can compare prices to find great deals on everything from household goods to insurance. Check out Shopzilla next time you're looking to buy and see what kind of deals you can get online. Even if you decide to purchase offline, these sites can help you see whether you're getting a good deal or not.

- Look online for great deals. Smart shoppers are using the Internet to get great deals on items they purchase regularly. Look for deals on gifts, books, household items, pet supplies and even clothing. You may be surprised at some of the deals you can find. And with the trend towards lower shipping fees you'll find that you save quite a bit even if you have to pay a little for the delivery.

- Purchase gifts online and save on shipping. Need to send a gift to someone out of town? Instead of purchasing something at a local store and then paying to ship it, buy it online and have it shipped directly to the recipient. Nowadays more stores are even offering free shipping, wrapping and gift cards so you'll save even more! And an added bonus is that you won't have the headache of taking it to the post office and mailing it.

- Don't be overcharged at the cash register. With everything being computerized nowadays, it's not uncommon for products to scan at the regular price when they've been advertised as a sale item. Avoid paying more than you have to by watching the price for each item that comes up when it's scanned. If a sale item is missed be sure to point it out. Once you start watching you're likely to see that this happens much more frequently then you ever realized! Some supermarkets actually have a policy that if you are charged the wrong price that you'll get the first item free and the others will be price adjusted accordingly. Check with your supermarket to see what their policies are.

- Beware of items that are on display. Many stores display more expensive items on end aisles and in center displays so they'll make more money if you decide to make an impulse buy. If you're interested in the item, check the store aisle where the item is usually kept. You'll often find less expensive alternatives.

- Plan to shop when the stores are not busy. If you go when the stores are busy you'll feel rushed to get in and get out as quickly as possible. Instead, choose a time when you will be able to comparison shop and can ask a sales associate for help finding a sale item or getting a rain check. For most stores, early in the morning is the best time. And you'll also find that the shelves are fuller because they were restocked over night.

- Take a list when you grocery shop. A lot of people spend more then they need to on food because they don't shop with a list. As a result they buy items they don't need. Planning a weekly menu and creating a shopping list that only includes the things you need are excellent ways to save money.

- Don't shop with your kids. Sometimes it may be unavoidable, but whenever possible leave your kids at home when you go on shopping trips. You'll be much less likely to buy items not on your list and it will take you a fraction of the time.

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- Wait until you have a full load before running your dishwasher. Did you know that the average dishwasher costs between $60 and $100 every year to run? Cut back this cost by only running your dishwasher when you have a full load. This tips also applies to your washing machine - wait to run it until you have a full load!

- Microwave it instead of using the oven. There are a lot of things that are not pleasant when cooked in the microwave. But whenever possible, opt to microwave vegetables, leftovers, baked potatoes, bacon and other foods that cook just as nicely when microwaved as they do in the oven. This simple change can cut the amount of energy used to prepare that meal by 50%.

- Install energy efficient light bulbs. You'll pay more upfront for energy efficient light bulbs but they do save a significant amount over their lifetime. And most come with guarantees on how long they'll last. Keep your receipt and packaging and if they burn out before they're supposed to you can get a new one at no charge.

- Minimize the amount of water your toilet uses. You can save an astounding amount of water - especially in older toilets - by putting half of an ordinary brick inside your tank. Simply wrap it in a plastic bag and place it in your toilet tank. This stops the tank from filling completely and is a change you probably won't even notice. If the flushing power does decrease, try a quarter of a brick instead.

- Be sure to replace or clean your furnace filters monthly. Having a dirty furnace filter restricts how much air can flow through the furnace - as a result you pay more because more energy is being used. Take a few minutes once a month to clean or replace your furnace filter and you can reduce your heating costs by as much as 5%.

- Change the temperature in your house. Your thermostat should be set no higher than 68 degrees in the winter and no lower than 78 degrees in the summer. Did you know that every extra degree you raise your heat in the winter can cost you an additional 3% in heating costs? And in summer, each degree cooler that you go can cost you 6% more

- Don't keep cash in your wallet if you can help it. It's too easy to spend cash if you have it available. A few dollars here and a few dollars there quickly adds up and you suddenly realize you've spent $20 and you have nothing to show for it. Instead, only take out cash for a specific purpose. Or, if you need a discretionary spending fund then limit yourself to a reasonable amount each week and when it's gone, it's gone.

- Do your banking online. Banks charge a premium to use the in-branch services. Avoid these extra fees by doing your banking online or by telephone. It also makes it quicker and easier to get things done so you'll be sure to avoid missing bill payments, which could cost you late fees or NSF charges.

- Make use of your local library. When was the last time you visited the library? Well, if you're looking to save money it's a great place to do so! You'll find books on everything from cooking to self-help to new release fiction. You can even take out magazines and movies. All for nothing! If you buy a lot of books or subscribe to several magazines this is a quick and easy way to reduce your spending.

- Look for free ways to workout. Are you paying for an expensive gym membership that you hardly ever use? Cancel it immediately and look for other ways to get your exercise. You can walk or run home from work, get together with a friend for power walks or even set up your own home gym with weights and a stationary bike.

- Eliminate extras that you don't need. Do you really need your cell phone? Can you live without all the movie channels? By taking a hard look at all of the extras in your budget you'll likely be able to identify some extras you can easily give up - and save yourself a bundle every month. That's not to say that you have to deprive yourself. But look honestly at a few things you can live without and the savings will add up.

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