Creative Ways to Save Money

By Donna (Guest Post)

I am fortunate enough to have direct deposited paycheck. I have it set-up to put $7.00 a week,or $1 a day, into a savings account. It isn't much, but at the end of the year, I have $365.00.

By

monica5

That's a great idea JoJo!! I may have to use it, if you don't mind! I've been saving little jars, glass and plastic, here and there, so have plenty I can save in, hehe. For grocery shopping (I wish I would have started this 5years ago when first getting married!) I first go to Aldi's, get all my main things I can get there, then go to the next store for name brand, or other things I can't find at Aldi's, even if I spend the same amount that I thought I would, by shopping at Aldi's, I probably save $20-30 each major trip! (Also bring your own bags/boxes to Aldi's will save you some cash from having to buy their bags.)

By

Beth

I shop the grocery market in the reverse order they intend it to be shopped in. Most markets have you start in produce and end in dairy. It always seems like I don't have much in my cart at first so I will buy extras I didn't intend to. Then when I'm all done I have spent way more than I should have. By shopping the store in reverse, just saving frozen foods for last, I don't fall into their traps.

By jojo (Guest Post)

This year (end of April) I decided to make a 'Christmas Treat Jar' for myself. I used a cleaned out empty coffee can and decorated it in a Christmas theme with recycled bits & bobs I found around the house: an old red slipper-sock of my son's turned inside out, a cuff top & bottom from an overstretched white sock, a few buttons and an old bra-strap for the belt! It 's supposed to look like a 'Santa coat'! :)
I've been putting $5 every payday into it and I keep a pen and sheet of paper in there too so I can keep a running total. So far I've got $100!
The idea is so that I can treat myself to something nice at Christmas 'guilt-free' because I've budgeted for it. It's just for me and I can spend it on whatever I like...a haircut, perfume, clothes, chocolate (lots of it)...whatever I like basically.
Next year I'll start right after Christmas so I should have about $250 at the end of the year. It all depends on how much you can afford and I don't really miss $5 every week.
I reckon this would be a neat idea for each member of the family...especially kids...they could decorate their own. I was going to make a snowman one too but haven't got around to it yet. It's just a fun way to save a little, it soon adds up though :)
Not sure if this is exactly what you meant by creative saving but there ya go! :)

By farmgirl (Guest Post)

One of the easiest ways to save money is to pay your credit card bill as soon as you receive it, if you are unable to pay it in full. Many credit card companies calculate the finance charge on the average daily balance. When you make a payment early in the billing cycle, you have reduced the average daily balance for the month, even if you are only able to make a minimum payment.This will reduce your finance charges for the month. If you are able to pay off the balance, put the balance due in an interest bearing account and then pay the bill out of the account just before it's due (DON'T BE LATE).