There are several simple shortcuts to cut spending in uncertain economic times and line your pockets with a little extra cash. Here are five quick ways to save money now without turning your life upside down. These steps are easy, and the savings begin immediately.
Laundry
A couple of simple ways to save money are when washing and drying your clothes. The majority of cleaning comes from the agitation of your washing machine. One way to save some extra pennies is to use half the detergent as suggested on the label. The articles of clothing will still come out as clean, but you save money with every load.
Secondly, if you use a dryer sheet, place a pair of scissors next to your box of dryer sheets. When it is time to dry your clothing, cut the sheet in half. The effects are the same, there is no static, your clothes are fresh, and the wrinkles are gone.
Between the washing detergent and the dryer sheets, your clothes will come out fresh and clean, yet you’ve saved a couple of dollars by extending the life of both products.
Buy Meat in Bulk
When buying meat, buy the family pack. The family pack costs less per pound, and you can split the meat into smaller quantities before freezing.
Use freezer bags to divide the meat into portions your household will use. This reduces the possibility of leftovers going bad once cooked and keeps your freezer stocked for less money.
And this concept isn’t only limited to meat. You can buy other foods in bulk wherever possible, using smaller portions, freezing if necessary, and saving money.
Travel Coffee Mug
One of the easiest ways to save cash is making your coffee at home and using a travel mug to take with you to the office. Travel mugs come in various styles, from plastic to stainless steel. You can purchase a personalized cup to accentuate your style. You might even be able to find an inexpensive coffee mug from Dollar Tree.
As another option, some convenience stores will give you a discount on coffee if you provide your own insulated coffee mug. Since you are only buying the coffee, you save money because you are not purchasing the disposable cup. Depending on the amount of coffee you are buying weekly, the savings on this small step can be significant.
Make A Travel Circle
Daily errands can take a toll on your wallet. Before running out to accomplish your tasks, take a moment to assess all you need and where you need to go.
In other words, make a circle when it comes to your driving. Taking this step keeps you from backtracking, and having a travel circle will keep you from going back out when you can accomplish your errands in one outing.
Use Kitchen Ingredients to Clean
Some of grandma’s cleaning recipes are the best to save money. One of the most effective is cleaning with vinegar and water. Vinegar disinfects and cleans almost anything, from kitchen counters to windows. The cost of vinegar is a quarter of what commercial cleaners cost. And while cleaning with vinegar does have a unique smell, it dissipates in a few moments, so your neighbors won’t be able to tell you used something inexpensive.
The Big Picture
Each step listed will save small amounts of money, but over time they add up. Every penny counts, and these suggestions will ensure a lot of pennies over the long haul.
Need help sticking to your grocery budget? Follow these tips on how you can stick to it!
