by Trent Hamm
Available in 24 free installments
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7. Write a list before you go shopping -and stick to it. One should never go into a store without a strong idea of what one will be buying while in there [32] , Make a careful plan of what you'll buy before you go, then stick strictly to that list when you go to the store. Don't put anything in the cart that's not on the list, no matter how tempting, and you'll come out of the store saving a bundle.
A peek at my coupon binder - an effective way to use coupons. [33]
8. Invite friends over instead of going out. Almost every activity at home is less expensive than going out. Invite some friends over and have a cookout or a potluck
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meal, then play some cards and have a few drinks. Everyone will have fun, the cost will be low, and the others will likely reciprocate not long afterwards.
9. Instead of throwing out some damaged clothing, repair it instead. Don't toss out a shirt because of a broken button - sew a new one on with some closely-matched thread. Don't toss out pants because of a hole in them - put in a patch of some sort and save them for times when you're working around the house. Simple sewing can be done by anyone - it just takes a few minutes and it saves a lot of money by keeping you from buying new clothes when you don't really need to.
10. Don't spend big money entertaining your children. Most children, especially young ones, can be entertained very cheaply. Buy them an end roll of newspaper from your local paper [341 and let their creativity run wild. Make a game out of ordinary stuff around the house, like tossing pennies into a jar, even. Collect common household items into a "rainy day" art box [35] , Realize that what your children want most of all is your time, not your stuff, and you'll find money in your pocket and joy in your heart.
11. Call your credit card company and ask for a rate reduction. Take any of your credit cards that are carrying a balance, flip them over, and call the number on the back. Tell them that you want an interest rate reduction or you'll take your business elsewhere. If the first person you talk to won't do it, ask to talk to a supervisor [36] , If you have a $5,000 balance, even a 3% rate reduction saves you $150 a year.
12. Clean out your closet. Go through your closets and try to get rid of some of the stuff in there. You can have a yard sale with it, take it to a consignment shop, or even donate it for the tax deduction - all of which turn old stuff you don't want to use any more into money in your pocket. Not only that, it's often a psychological load off your mind to clean out your closets.
13. Buy games that have a lot of replay value - and don't acquire new ones until you've mastered what you have. My video game buying habits [37] have changed quite a bit since my "game of the week" days. Now, I focus on games that can be played over and over and over again, and I focus on mastering the games that I buy. Good targets include puzzle games and long, involved quest games - they maximize the value of your gaming dollar.
14. Drink more water. Not only does drinking plenty of water have great health benefits, water drinking has financial benefits, too [38] . Drink a big glass of water before each meal, and not only will you digest it better, you won't eat as much, saving on the ol' food bill. You'll also find yourself feeling a bit better as you begin to get adequately hydrated (most Americans are perpetually somewhat dehydrated).
15. Cut back on the convenience foods - fast foods, microwave meals, and so on. Instead of eating fast food or just nuking some prepackaged food when you get home, try making some simple and healthy replacements that you can take with you [39] , like homemade bulk breakfast burritos [40].. An hour's worth of preparation one weekend can give you a ton of cheap and handy meals that will end
up saving you a lot of cash and not eat into your time when you're busy.
16. Give up expensive habits, like cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs. Those habits cause money to flow away from you with nothing in return. Call up your fortitude and work hard to kick the habits and you'll find that money staying in your pocket instead of burning up and floating away.
