36 Simple Changes That Add Up to Save Money

Quick money saving tips from are sure ways to save money with minimal hassle and sacrifice. As I always say, it’s about making frugality a lifestyle and mindset. It’s an on-going thought process to find more ways to reduce, reuse and recycle for savings — without feeling deprived.

Saving money can start with just a small change to your normal routine. Over time, these small changes really add up and can have a significant impact to your net worth.

We have put together a list of some of the easiest ways to save some extra money.

Reuse Household Items for Greater Good

1. Reuse an old plastic orange juice container, or any other container with a wider opening, to save your loose change. Empty pockets nightly and once it’s full you can roll it and bank it. It all adds up.
2. Use old plastic bread tabs to mark and organize all your electric cords behind the TV, for example. Simply use a permanent marker and write on each plastic tab to identify each cord and item. Then just attach one to each cord and instant organization and minimized frustration.

Reduce Electric Bills with Some Easy Changes

3. When cooking in the oven, turn it off a few minutes early. The heat will continue to cook your food for several minutes without the continued power use. A few minutes a day adds up over a year.
4. You use less energy with a warm dryer. So, it’s more efficient to wash and dry loads back-to-back so that your dryer doesn’t completely cool down when it needs to heat up for the next load.
5. Closing off an unused room in your home can actually cost you more in comfort and energy savings. It’s best to keep air vents and doors open so that air can circulate freely and properly.
6. Want big savings with little to no effort? Raise your thermostat! You can save up to 10% of your cooling costs for each degree above 78.
7. Speed up clothes drying & save energy by adding a dry towel to the load to absorb water. Better yet line-dry on a nice day.
8. The start of Summer is a great time to replace your air conditioning filter. By doing this every 2 – 3 months you will maximize your air flow and energy efficiency and save money.

Stop Wasting Water and Start Saving Money

9. Save water and money by turning off the faucet when brushing teeth. An estimated 2.5 gallons of water are used when kept running x 2 brushes a day x 7 days a week x 52 weeks = 1,820 gallons WASTED!
10. Save water by taking a shower (uses 8 gallons) versus a bath (uses 21 gallons). Also turn the tap off while brushing your teeth to save another 2-1/2 gallons.
11. As water restrictions ramp up over the hot Summer months, a good tip is to pull your car in the grass when washing it so you can wash and water at the same time. Saves water & money.

Simple Suggestions for Household Savings

12. Think before you print. The average consumer spends $240/year on ink cartridges and paper. Instead print only the text you need, save information and files electronically, reuse old paper and print on both sides if possible.
13. If household items or toys require batteries, use RECHARGEABLE batteries. They can be reused hundreds of times which saves money and reduces waste over time. This savings quickly out weighs the cost premium for the initial purchase.
14. Get rid of extra landline phone features such as caller ID, call waiting and call forwarding that are really not needed and may not be used often. Or, better yet, get rid of the landline all together.
15. Relieve red eyes by placing a chilled cucumber on each eye for 10 – 15 minutes. Puffy and red, use chilled used tea bags with caffeine. Both are anti-inflammatory.
16. Save money on dry cleaning by purchasing a hand-held steamer. Simply hang, steam and save big. Steam 4 – 5 pieces & it’s paid for itself.
17. Extend the life of your razor blades by drying them off after each use to prevent rusting.
18. Save money by coloring your own hair. I can color my hair 20 times for the same cost as 1 time at an expensive salon (20 x $7 = $140).
19. Save money by giving a gift from the heart. They cost less and mean a whole lot more. Make: a card, dinner, memory box, coupons to redeem for car washes, chores, etc.

Modify What You Buy at the Store

20. Stop buying bottled water and drink from the tap. A 24-pack cost $4.00 – $6.00 depending on the brand. The equivalent water from the tap costs PENNIES! If you don’t like the taste, install an inexpensive faucet filter.
21. Stop buying paper towels. Paper towels produce 3,000 tons of waste per DAY and wastes money. Use a dishrag instead and toss it in the wash. If you must use paper towels use 100% recycled paper towels which saves landfill waste, energy and water.
22. Stop buying certain vegetables and instead grow your own vegetables and start with seeds. A packet of tomato seeds equals the price of ONE tomato but can yield 20-30 plants per packet. While time is required, the saved money and great taste are huge.
23. The greenest products that you can buy are the ones that already exist. Buying a “pre-loved” sweater, for example, saves the energy equivalent of 68 loads of laundry.
24. Spend less by using the library. A library card is free and you can rent books, music and even DVD’s. Mine has a used bookstore attached – $0.10 magazines and $0.50 books.

Travel Smart and Save Big

25. If planning a plane trip, pack light to avoid the escalating baggage fees: $15-$25 for the 1st checked bag, $25-$35 for the 2nd, and up to $300 for overweight, outside the U.S. bags on Delta!
26. Save money by flying at the right TIME. Flying off season to a destination, flying overnight, or scheduling departures and arrivals on a Tuesday or Wednesday will cost less.
27. Budget your vacation and bring traveler’s checks versus credit cards so there is no temptation to overspend. You can track what’s spent and what’s remaining and there’s no big surprise bill later.
28. Have your cable switched off while you’re away. Some cable companies will turn off your cable for the week(s) you’re away on vacation. It doesn’t hurt to ask and it could be an easy way to save money.
29. Improve your cars fuel economy by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. This improves fuel efficiency up to 5% & can save you $75-$100 a year based on mileage and gas prices.

Be Smart About Your Food

30. The best way to get cheap organic produce is to grow your own. Grow your own garden and consider hanging plants, if you don’t have much space.
31. Wrap lettuce in paper towel & place in a plastic bag in veggie bin to extend life. The paper absorbs water & prevents mold.
32. Take only what you will eat … and eat all that you take!
33. Save money by knowing the best time to buy. Start by purchasing fruits and vegetables when they are IN season. Save money on clothes when they are OUT of season (on clearance).
34. Reheating last night’s dinner? Use your microwave or toaster oven to reheat and save up to 30 percent of the energy required to cook in a standard oven.
35. Save money by grating & chopping your own fruits, veggies and cheese. You pay a premium (almost double) vs. what you pay for whole items.
36. If you’re wanting to dine out – go midweek when the restaurants typically run specials to drive customers in during slower periods. You can also dine early and get the early-bird specials.