Spinoff to budget question - what tips do you have to save $

Since almost everyone's new year's resolution is to save $ to buy a house or to start a family.... I figured we could share tips or tricks to save $? Maybe we can learn something new.

Like clipping coupons, etc. (I'm still trying to get the hang of clipping coupons and remembering to take them with me to the supermarket lol i'm in full wife mode now)... I try to be really concientous (sp?) when I'm grocery shopping I try to buy what's on sale, use coupons, and when DH's not looking sometimes I buy generic items when it's not crucial to have the brand name lol..... but I still have alot to learn lol

If I go to like costco, I'll split some of those big items that I know we'll never use with my parents, costs less that way lol

If I know I'm going to a store like macy's or BBB beforehand, I'll go online and search for printable coupons, sometimes I can find like $10 off or 20% off..... that's always fun lol

I have like every rewards card that exists so when I make purchases I get points lol

i DEF need to start using coupons everywhere i go i hate being bothered with them but im sure if you use them all year it saves quite a bit....

when i get paid i move as much as i can into savings - i leave just enough for bills to clear and for gas money - then if i want to buy something i have to transfer money - so its not easy to buy things on a whim - and i dont carry around cash either - b/c ill spend it....when your money is limited you can't spend and that works for me...

i eat cereal and yogurt for lunch at work the majority of the time....that saves A LOT during the week and it keeps me thin ...

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Posted by Future Mulligan

i DEF need to start using coupons everywhere i go i hate being bothered with them but im sure if you use them all year it saves quite a bit....

when i get paid i move as much as i can into savings - i leave just enough for bills to clear and for gas money - then if i want to buy something i have to transfer money - so its not easy to buy things on a whim - and i dont carry around cash either - b/c ill spend it....when your money is limited you can't spend and that works for me...

i eat cereal and yogurt for lunch at work the majority of the time....that saves A LOT during the week and it keeps me thin ...

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Yes I def try to limit the amount of cash in my wallet, if it's there I'll just spend it all and I won't even know on what afterwards!!

come up with a set amount to put away each month. Even if its $100-200 or whatever you want to put aside. What i did was always keep the money in the bank, when you have cash on you it just goes so quick. But i knew i only had x amount to spend each paycheck and would not go over it since the rest i would keep in there bc it was the set amount i saved each month.

Open up an ING savings account and put the money you save in that.

Before buying anything think to yourself 'do i really need it' then think about if those clothes or shoes are worth it or is saving for a house more important, when you compare those items to your goal such as the house, then it wont compare.

Here are my tips - but I am still learning!

We both have money direct deposited into a money market savings account and we try not to ever touch it.

Also think long term savings - 401k, etc. We both put alot of $$$ in there too and take advantage of our company match.

Set yourself a limit like: Only spend $200 a month on clothes or shopping. Or only buy something if it is an absolute deal and cannot live without it. Like i ask myself if I can go on with my life without this shirt. Will I ever find a shirt like this again? LOL - silly but it works. OR just stay out of the mall and out of stores completely. If you dont go, you wont buy! (This works for me).

Another shopping tip is I buy all my shoes at TJ Max etc. I like Nine West, BCBG, etc and I hate spending $90+++ on them at Macy's when I can get them for like $30 at TJ Max, Marshalls, etc.

Limit how much you eat out

Only buy things at the food store that are on sale...like if waters are on a good sale we will stock up. Same with other things like granola bars, yogurts, etc.

Coupons, coupons, coupons

We try and save money on heat/gas/ac by setting our thermastat on a timer to only go on at certain times during the day.

Ok that is all I can think of now!

We eat out less often. When we do eat out we use coupons from restaurant.com

I go to stores a lot less so I'm not tempted to buy anything.

I save my GC from the holidays. I used to spend them right away but now I hold onto them. If I need an outfit for something I can go to Macys and pick up a new shirt. IF we want to get out of the apartment and do something low key we can spend an afternoon at barnes and noble etc...

Automatic savings with ING.

Automatic payment. Even if they recieve your payment a day late you interest skyrockets and you pay an insane amount of interest

Also...

You have to talk about financial goals with your spouse... alot.

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Posted by BeccaJo

One of my friends has her paycheck directly deposited into 3 different accounts, one for their combined checking, one for their savings and one for her checking - it automatically forces you to save that way. I can't really do that but I always put money right into savings after i get paid, even if its just $100, its something and then i wont spend it.

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This is what I do and it really works.

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Posted by eleven29bride

i try to bring my lunch at least 3 days a week.

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Yes that's a good tip. And we eat healthier because of this too!

Bring your lunch to work and make coffee at home-save a TON

And if you are in my boat-quit smoking, even more moolah saved!

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Posted by BeccaJo

One of my friends has her paycheck directly deposited into 3 different accounts, one for their combined checking, one for their savings and one for her checking - it automatically forces you to save that way. I can't really do that but I always put money right into savings after i get paid, even if its just $100, its something and then i wont spend it.

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I have part of my paycheck diverted into a money market account and I don't touch it. When you don't see it, you don't miss it and you get used to how much you can actually spend .

Bring lunch from home or part of it (my school has a salad bar so I will bring my own sandwich etc).

Use coupons...but only if the price after the coupon is deducted is less than buying the generic brand w/o a coupon. A lot of times the generic brand is cheaper than the brand name even after double coupons on the brand name.
Certain things it doesn't pay to buy the generic brand though-like mayo and pigs in a blanket lol

Combine your errands so you use less gas...I never go out for just one thing and I plan my errands acc to where they are.

We also turn down our thermostat when we leave to go to work in the AM.

I can't think of any more but I'll try to think about it before DH comes home and post more if I come up with anything else

Hibernate and dont leave the house lol

I get paid once a month, so I really learned how to budget and not to go overboard.
Most important thing is to take money out of your paycheck and immediately put it into a savings account. Don't do it after you've paid bills or it won't get done. Keep a list of your fixed monthly expenses and the rolling ones - credit cards, hair, nails, etc. If it's on paper, you are more apt to take control of your spending.

I shop the sales at the supermarket. My pantry and freezer are stocked well, I buy what I need to replenish what I've used. I spend a bit more on fresh produce but I use it instead of letting it go to waste. I use a shopping list to keep from making impulse buys.
Supermarkets rotate the sales items on a weekly basis. I like Charmin bath tissue - it goes on sale at Waldbaums every three to four weeks, and usually I've got a coupon for it. Much cheaper than buying at BJ's. Same thing for laundry detergent, coffee, OJ. Keep an eye out and you'll notice the trend.

I also bring my lunch to work at least 4 times a week. I like the coffee and bagel from the corner roach coach and I can also get free Keurig coffee in my office.

I'm frugal with some things, but it lets me enjoy other things without feeling guilty. It's like a scale, you have to balance things.
DH sees what I do, and starting this month, we've combined our accounts and bills and now I take care of everything. DH has to live on an allowance just like I do. It's the only way to get out of debt and to live comfortably.

First I think you need to total up how much you are spending on items that are not necessary - going out to eat, nails, hair (that kind of stuff). Now I don't mean to stop doing it, but those are things like groceries and gas. Do you buy your lunch everyday? What about that morning coffee?

If you don't have time in the morning, make your lunch the night before. You'll be less likely to forget to put stuff in it. I make one for me and one for DH.

Take you morning beverage to go or drink it at home. DH sets the coffee for when he wakes up so it's ready for me when he leaves.

If you can live on X amount of money per month, put the rest of it into a savings account. I have my pay check direct deposited into 3 different accounts.

When you are out to eat, don't order 2 appetizers plus 2 entrees. Since I don't eat that much and I always bring home leftovers, we started ordering one appetizer and one entree. DH gets most of it and we actually end up saving money.

Do you pay for HBO or any other channels you don't watch? Get rid of them!

DH is a beer connoseur. I am always finding him coupons to bring to the beer distributor

Don't think that costco or BJs is cheaper than the supermarkets. Browse through the circulars for the sales. I rarely buy anything full price.

Sign up for coupons for your favorite stores. Aside from clothing stores, I have ac moore, michaels, everywhere I like to shop and I'm saving a lot of money on things.

Caculate everything you spend cash/debit card on. See if you can reduce it a little bit.

If you know you'll spend the cash or use your debit bc the money is there, move it to an account that isn't so accessible. I keep money in my savings so I am not tempted to buy something. If the money isn't readily available to me, I can't buy it!

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Posted by SusiBtoM

I get paid once a month, so I really learned how to budget and not to go overboard.
Most important thing is to take money out of your paycheck and immediately put it into a savings account. Don't do it after you've paid bills or it won't get done. Keep a list of your fixed monthly expenses and the rolling ones - credit cards, hair, nails, etc. If it's on paper, you are more apt to take control of your spending.

I shop the sales at the supermarket. My pantry and freezer are stocked well, I buy what I need to replenish what I've used. I spend a bit more on fresh produce but I use it instead of letting it go to waste. I use a shopping list to keep from making impulse buys.
Supermarkets rotate the sales items on a weekly basis. I like Charmin bath tissue - it goes on sale at Waldbaums every three to four weeks, and usually I've got a coupon for it. Much cheaper than buying at BJ's. Same thing for laundry detergent, coffee, OJ. Keep an eye out and you'll notice the trend.

I also bring my lunch to work at least 4 times a week. I like the coffee and bagel from the corner roach coach and I can also get free Keurig coffee in my office.

I'm frugal with some things, but it lets me enjoy other things without feeling guilty. It's like a scale, you have to balance things.
DH sees what I do, and starting this month, we've combined our accounts and bills and now I take care of everything. DH has to live on an allowance just like I do. It's the only way to get out of debt and to live comfortably.

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BJs accepts manufacturer coupons plus they send you coupons biweekly for their store.