25 ways to save an extra $1,000
Learn some simple ways to save an extra $1,000 this year.
Here are 25 simple ways you can save an extra $1,000 this year, according to Money Talks News.
Here are 25 simple ways you can save an extra $1,000 this year, according to Money Talks News.
25. Go Meatless -- Even going meatless three days a week can save you up to $21 a week, factoring in the cost of a pound of ground beef. That adds up to just more than $1,000 a year.
24. Use Household Products -- Use that baking soda in the cupboard as a facial scrub or break out the vinegar to clean your windows -- rather than buying commercial products -- and you can save a big chunk of change in one year.
23. Turn Off The Advertising -- Avoid TV commercial and magazine ads to cut down on the temptation to buy new -- yet mostly needless -- products.
22. Buy Used -- You can save 50 percent or more by combing Craigslist, garage sales and resale shops for furniture and other items.
21. Stop Buying New Books -- Buying new books is costly, especially when you can get them for free at the public library or by using a book swapping service.
20. Haggle -- Ask for a discount before you buy anything, even at a major retailer. You could get a reduction in price just by asking.
19. Buy Last-Generation Electronics -- Electronics, like smartphones, are updated so frequently that the changes are barely noticeable to the average user. Buy year-old devices and save a lot of money.
18. Find Free Fun -- No matter what you like to do, there’s probably a free or cheaper version, such as free city concerts in parks or downtown compared to big-name (and costly) shows.
16. Do It Yourself -- Hiring a pro is expensive, especially when you have the Internet to teach you how to do it yourself. Check out sites like This Old House, Bob Vila and The Family Handyman.
15. Stop Paying For Pricey Shipping -- Look for sites with free or discounted shipping and just wait the few extra days. Ordering $19.99 overnight shipping once a month costs $239.88 a year in delivery fees.
14. Reduce Your Energy Use -- Install a few compact fluorescent light bulbs, turn up (or, when it’s cold, down) your thermostat, and flip the switch when you leave the room to save money on electricity and heating costs.
13. Quit Smoking -- Kicking a pack a day habit can save you up to $1,700 a year -- or even more.
12. Use Coupons -- Always try to use coupons, and not just on your groceries. You can snag deep discounts at local retailers with deals from sites like Groupon and LivingSocial.
11. Buy Generic -- Many products are the same, regardless of the brand name. Money Talks News suggests skipping the name brands for pain relievers, water, milk, margarine, bleach, cleaning products and spices.
10. Sell What You're Not Using -- Go through your house and toss everything into a box that you haven’t used or worn this year. Then sell that stuff and put the money you make into savings.
9. Buy Out Of Season -- Buying swimsuits in January or Halloween decorations in November can save you a ton of money.
8. Cut Out ATM Fees -- Switch to a bank with more free ATMs in your area to do away with convenience fees that can quickly add up.
7. Brown-Bag It -- A survey by staffing firm Accounting Principals found that more than 66 percent of workers spend around $2,000 a year on lunch. Brown-bagging it every day could easily cut that by 50 percent -- and save $1,000 a year.
6. Turn Off Premium Channels -- HBO, Cinemax and Showtime each cost about $13 a month or $39 for all three. If you cut them out today, in just six months you’ll be $234 richer.
5. Drop The Gym Membership -- You don't really need fancy equipment to exercise, just a good pair of shoes, some hand weights and a DVD player.
4. Raise Your Deductibles -- Raising your car and auto insurance deductibles will actually lower your monthly payment.
3. Take A "Staycation" -- If you’re trying to stash away an extra grand this year, consider staying home and living like a tourist in your own city for a few days.
2. Ditch The Landline -- If you primarily use your cell phone, why keep two services that do the same thing? Getting rid of your landline can save you around $300 a year.
1. Cut Your Cellphone Plan -- Comb through your cellphone bills and ditch anything you're not using or switch to a plan with fewer minutes.
Read the full list by Money Talks News here.
