Save Money in the Home - Reusing Tips

One great way to save money in the home (and help the environment) is to reuse things once you are finished with them. For example, you can refill small water bottles again and again (just make sure to clean them in between); you can use newspaper for shipping padding or to build a city out of newspaper in which you are the ultimate emperor; you can reuse old sandwich bags a few times. There are so many possibilities for reusing things around the house when you think about it.

The Three R's: Reduce - Reuse - Recycle

I believe that these are ranked by importance -- to reduce how much you use or consume is the most important thing to do because it prevents the need for those things to ever be manufactured, etc. Think of how much energy is saved this way!

Reusing is something we can all easily do, and it effectively reduces how much you consume, since you are getting more use out of the same things. It also can save lots of money over time if you are consistently reusing things around the house.

Recycling is great and I always recycle anything that I can, but there is energy consumed in gathering, crushing and processing of recycled materials. So, always recycle when possible (otherwise your recyclable items may end up in a landfill -- or worse, in our lakes, rivers or oceans), but why not lean toward the reduce/reuse side? It can make a big difference for the environment as well as for your bank account :)

Save Money :: Easy Tips for Saving Money

Save Money on Groceries!

Here is a top 10 list of easy ways to save money on groceries:

1. Clip coupons to save money - Bringing coupons to the grocery store can add up to save you a lot over time... Just don't buy things you don't need simply because of the coupon.

2. Wait to buy things until they are on sale - You'd be surprised how often things go on sale such as 'buy one, get one free' at many grocery stores.

3. Buy larger packages of food and drinks - Buying in bulk can help you save a lot of money on groceries!

4. Buy generic brand items - Most generic brand grocery items are practically the exact same as many leading brand name items. Read the ingredients if you don't believe it!

5. Consider drinking more water than other more expensive beverages - It's great for your body and costs much less than most other drinks.

6. Buy ingredients to make meals from scratch instead of buying tv dinners - For example, instead of buying expensive breakfast meals, try your hand at making from scratch pancakes. Taking the time to make from scratch pancakes will save you money, and it's fun, too!

7. Eat food samples - If your local grocery store offers food samples, take advantage of it and maybe knock out one meal for the day (if there are enough different food samples). They may not like it if you go back for thirds. :)

8. Find groceries cheap - Most people looking for groceries buy them from the most convenient store to them, but looking around at a couple of different stores can help you save money on food.

9. Reconsider your tastes - If you are used to eating fresh lobster and delicious steak (am I making you hungry?), think about limiting yourself to once a month for these treats. Try to buy cheap foods more often and you'll also appreciate the good stuff more when you have it!

10. Make a monthly card limit - Try using one credit card at the grocery store and make a monthly card limit for yourself; divide that by 4 and you have the weekly card limit. This will help you reach your goal for saving money on food so that you can keep more money for yourself.

Plan First

When you plan first, you create a clear vision of the plan in your head and it will then be easier to carry out to completion. It's best to plan first and then act, because without a solid strategy, you are more likely to become distracted and not meet your goals. Make a list of your top 10 goals for saving money and review it often, just to make sure that your plan for smart spending and saving is on track for success.

Be Consistent and You Will Save Money

Remember to always keep your goal in mind and don't stray from your plan. If you stay consistent, keep track of what you are doing and work toward being great at it, you will succeed at saving money!

Home

Spring Cleaning Tips :: Make it Fun and Profitable!

It's that time of year again. The cold air has retreated, the trees are budding and we're rolling up our sleeves to do some spring cleaning! Yes, it's a dreaded time for many, as a big cleanup is often disorganized and tiring... but it doesn't have to be! Here are some tips for freeing up some cash as an extra bonus to getting your home and yard straightened up, as well as some ways to make spring cleaning fun for the whole family!

Spring Cleaning Tips:

• Sit down with the family and brainstorm about changes you want to make around the house; make a good list and stick to it.

• Challenge the kids to see who can rake up the most leaves -- the excitement of competition may make them forget they're doing work!

• Organize a garage sale (AKA yard sale or tag sale), giving each member of the family a chance to put some cash in their pockets, and remove clutter at the same time.

• Consider painting or redecorating certain rooms to give a great new feel to the house.

• Think of ways to make your home more environmentally friendly. Going green can make you feel better and save a lot of money over time as well!

• Don't make spring cleaning a grueling marathon-like event... break up the day by playing some games outside or having a picnic together.

• Take the opportunity to fix any water leaks or insulation breaches that may be hurting your home's energy efficiency. Free money!

• If you live in a rural or wooded area and have dogs or cats, this is a good time to treat them for ticks and fleas since they will probably be spending more time outdoors. Being proactive can save your pets' health, not to mention money on veterinarian bills!

• Search your sofas, love seats and recliners for loose change and other treasures. Ditto underneath your car seats. You may even find other lost items you've been missing.

• Replace old light bulbs with energy efficient low-wattage units to save money in the long run.

• You might even want to install a solar panel or two if you can afford it. There are very durable and potent panels available today, and it's possible to completely eliminate electric bills (even get a check from your utility company for energy you return to the power grid).

So you see, spring cleaning doesn't have to be a pain in the neck... Be creative and make it a productive and memorable bonding experience with your loved ones! Your newfound tidiness will be a welcome bonus.