16 :: Turn off the Lights – open the blinds for natural sunlight
Such a simple task that will save you money of your electric bill!  During the day open your drapes and blinds to allow natural sunlight to light your home.

17 :: Unplug all Unused appliances
I read an article once about a family who had a short in their electrical system…anything that was plugged into a socket was fried.  I know this doesn’t happen everyday, but it can happen.  I leave all appliances in our kitchen unplugged unless I am using them.  This will help cut costs on your electric bill as well.

18 :: Turn the Thermostat down before leaving for vacation.
Another simple idea…but sometimes hard to remember!  We always try to turn our thermostat down if we are going to be gone for the day and especially when we are going to be gone for several days.  There is no sense is heating or cooling a house when you are not there.

19 :: Say Goodbye to the Dishwasher – wash dishes by hand!
I started washing dishes by hand rather than using the dishwasher last June and it saves us over $30 a month – that’s $360 a year!!  Since there are only two of us it doesn’t take me long, but I realize with larger families a dishwasher is probably needed.

20 :: Laundry

• If we run out to the store to pick up something quickly we usually change clothes once we get home {in order to be more comfortable}.  If you haven’t been wearing your outfit long, hang it back up or put it in the drawer.  There isn’t any sense is washing articles of clothing that aren’t dirty.

• Make sure to only use the amount of detergent you need for each load – using larger amounts of detergent not only cause you to run out more quickly, but makes your washing machine work harder to rinse it from your clothes.

• Instead of drying all of your clothes in the dryer, try air drying some of your clothes.  I do this especially for nicer clothes.

• Wash only when you have full loads.  There isn’t much sense in washing one or two items.  So make sure you have a full load before you stick them the washer.

• Always get your clothes out of the dryer when it signals that your load is done.  Leaving it going on the spin cycle to keep your clothes from wrinkling add to your electric bill!

{Photo Credit: moneysavingtips}

11:: Never Shop without a List
Making a shopping list is a wonderful way to save money.  Not only does it cut down on just throwing things into your shopping cart but also on the spur of the moment purchases.  I make a list for every shopping trip and that alone cut down our food costs by a third.  Instead of walking down isle after isle just grabbing whatever you see, go with a list and make specific purchases!

12 :: Never rush through a shopping trip
I know this isn’t always realistic, but it really will save you money if you take your time when grocery shopping.  You need to make sure to have enough time to properly scan all the prices, get out the correct coupons you’ll be using, make sure you’ve gotten everything on your list and check out.  Rushing through a shopping trip while trying to correspond sales and coupons is never idea.  So make sure you have plenty of time to shop.

13 :: Never buy something you won‘t use…even if it’s a good deal!
You may find cans of Clam Chowder on sale for $0.19 each, but if you {or someone in your household} won’t eat them what is the point?    Never purchases items you won’t use that will just end up sitting in your cabinets until they expire.  That’s wasting money.

14 :: Never Shop on an Empty Stomach
An old rule, but oh so true!   I try never to shop on an empty stomach, in fact I do the opposite.  We usually shop after lunch on Saturday afternoons so that we are satisfied and less likely to make last minute purchases on things we are craving as we walk along the grocery isles.

15 :: Don’t fall for the displays in the middle {or at the end of the} isle
This is often a ploy stores use to get you to purchase products that they have discounted.  Before purchasing the item, find the item on its regular shelf space to check out the regular price.  I’ve seen stores discount products from $19.97 to $19.96 just so they can display a reduced price tag!  Always make sure it really is on sale!

{Photo Credit: moneysavingtips}

In case you missed last weeks tips, you can see how Sometimes It’s the Simple Things that can help save you the most money.

6 :: Write an inventory of the items in your Kitchen Cabinets
We all know that things get lost in kitchen cabinets.  They find their way towards the back of the shelf and we find them a year {or more!} later.   In order to keep from purchasing items you already have at home, keep a running list of what you have in your cabinets and pantry.  This list will help you know what you have on hand when you need to throw a quick dinner together and help you plan your shopping trips better.

7 :: Pay Close Attention at the Checkout Counter
If you are going to shop sales make sure to take note of the prices for the items you are purchasing.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to purchase a sales item only to have it ring up full price.   When you’re shopping sales and wanting to get the best bang for your buck, always make sure to watch prices.   Also, you’ll want to watch make sure that your cashier scans all of your coupons and that  all the coupons  ring up correctly.

8 :: Check your Receipts
I’m realistic…I know that it isn’t always possible to watch the register as each item is scanned.  But I always check my receipts when I get home just to make sure everything scanned for the correct price.  I’ve caught quite a few mistakes since I started doing this.  Even though I do scan my receipts I do not return to the store unless it is something of a significant amount or happened with several items.  But this is a good habit to fall into after each shopping trip.

9 :: Check Billing Statements
Always, always check your billing statements.  I’ve caught several transactions made through our bank and phone company that we did not make.  If I hadn’t review the bills we would have ended up paying hundreds of dollars we didn’t owe.    And take note that some companies automatically sign you up for some offers when you enroll.  Make sure that you are getting only the services you want and/or need and that there are no hidden fees in there.

10 :: Know the store’s policies
Every store is different.  Even big grocery chains such as Kroger have varying policies from store to store.  Most of them will list their coupon policies on the front of their ads.   If you can’t find it there look on their website or call your local store for more info.  It never hurts to ask for information on ways that will save you money.

{Photo Credit: moneysavingtips}

After my husband and I married last March, we moved to a new state and began creating a home together.    Gone were the wedding details, gone were the days that would be… the day was here!    For the first time in my life, I was completely in charge of all the grocery shopping, meal preparations and creating a home for our family.

Once we moved into our house I realized how many things we did not get as wedding gifts.  Things like a broom and mop, cleaning supplies, blankets, and…well, just about every food item that goes into the cabinets and fridge!   So I pulled out my pen and paper and began making a list {I’m a huge fan of writing lists!} of the items we would need.

My first shopping trip to the store, to pick up about a weeks worth of groceries and a few household supplies, I spent a good chunk of change. I really could not believe how much things cost.  And how quickly a dollar here and there added up!   Before I finished loading my bags into the car, I knew we wouldn’t be able to afford many more shopping trips like that one.  Thus began my journey towards learning how to save money.

It took weeks of me pouring over dozens of tutorials in order to learn the things I needed to know.  I soaked it all in and slowly began making changes during our shopping trips.   I’m not going to lie – it wasn’t easy.  But once I started to see how much we were saving, I was beyond thrilled!   I felt as if a whole new world had been opening up to me and I was reveling in it.  And it’s just too good to keep to myself – I want to share the savings!

Take Baby Steps. Over the next few weeks,  as I write more on how to save money,  you may start to feel overwhelmed and think that it’s impossible for you to shop the way I do…but it’s not!    Don’t try to take it all in at once.  Start by reading the articles first and then slowing filtering the ideas into your shopping trips.     It is my hope that through the upcoming articles and implementing some of the ideas I share with you, you will be able to spend less, save more, and share more. Allow me to show you how you can Live Better on Less!

{Photo Credit: Lanuiop}