How to Be Richer One Year From Now: Simple Ways to Build up Big Bucks
Unemployment, prices and taxes are all going up, but you can beat the increases — by following these simple penny-pinching tips.
1. Take your lunch to work.
Eating out adds up.
2. Clip coupons!
You'll be astounded by how much money you can save at the grocery store each week.
3. Watch for the expiration date stamped on dairy products.
Items with the latest dates stay fresher longer, so you'll waste less.
4. Don't go to the grocery store hungry.
Fill up before you shop. Food will look less appetizing and you won't buy more than you need.
5. When grocery shopping, always watch the cash register for mistakes.
Check your receipt carefully.
6. If you wear glasses, ask your optometrist if they can fit new lenses into your old frames.
It can easily save you hundreds.
7. Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator.
It will stop the wasteful practice of running the tap water for just a glassful.
8. When you meet your health insurance deductible, have additional medical checkups or dental work done before the end of the year.
If you wait until the following year, you'll pay the deductible again.
9. Ask your doctor for samples of the medications they want you to use.
You can save some cash at the pharmacy.
10. Wrap a fiberglass insulation blanket around your hot water heater.
It will cut your electric bill.
11. Use your washing machine only for full loads.
Your machine uses 30 to 35 gallons a cycle, too much for just a couple of blouses or shirts.
12. Don't throw out unused ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper or any other condiment packages from fast-food restaurants.
Keep them to use at home to save.
13. Find a cookbook at the library (or look up recipes online).
Look up low-cost recipes for families on a budget.
14. Prepare your own tax return.
Take an inexpensive or free class at a local community college.
15. Be sure to weatherstrip and caulk around windows and doors.
It helps stop the heat from escaping.
16. Buy term insurance.
Do this instead of whole life for lower payments.
17. Have your local utility company perform a free energy audit on your house.
They can recommend different ways to save big on your energy bills.
18. Buy cosmetics at a chain drugstore or supermarket.
They're cheaper there than at a department store.
19. Shut off that tap water.
When cutting and washing vegetables, don't keep the tap water running.
20. Don't speed.
Driving faster than the speed limit uses more fuel.
