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Over 50 Ways to Economize
at Home Everyday
- Wash and reuse
foil wrap.
- Save "junk
mail" reply envelopes for filing recipes, receipts, etc.
- Trade things
you don't want with friends, neighbors, relatives.
- Restrict family
between-meal snacks to inexpensive and healthful in-season fruit
and vegetables, home-popped corn, raisins, etc.
- Become a "brown
bagger". Take your lunch to work.
- Save and reuse
plastic sandwich bags and paper lunch bags.
- Tie soap remnants
in a piece of nylon net and use as a body sponge.
- Crumpled up
used aluminum foil is ideal for scouring pots and pans.
- Paper towels
are expensive. Use washable cloth dish towels instead.
- Wash and reuse
transparent plastic wrap.
- Save empty
plastic food containers for storing leftovers & freezer use.
- Attend movies
early when prices are generally lower.
- Don't buy
expensive gifts. Give exotic home grown plants or bake a cake.
- Give yourself
a home permanent instead of paying top prices at a salon.
- Consider cutting
your family's hair yourself.
- Use plastic
bread wrappers and produce bags for freezer use.
- Organize a
baby-sitting club with friends & neighbors. Take turns.
- Think in terms
of doing it yourself rather than hiring someone to do it, such
as home repairs, painting, garden work, cutting the lawn, etc.
- Swap services
with friends and neighbors who can do things you can't.
- If you're
not going out to shop, leave your credit cards at home.
- Learn about
the many bargains at "no frills" discount stores.
- Avoid spending
on "throwaway" items such as disposable razors, flashlights,
pens, toothbrushes, paper cups & plates, diapers, cigarette
lighters, etc.
- For parties,
use reusable plates, cups, glasses, utensils, napkins-instead
of expensive paper and plastic disposables.
- Pay credit
card charges when they become due so interest isn't added.
- When buying
big-ticket items, learn all about them from consumer magazines.
- Garage sales
and flea markets are excellent for both selling and buying.
- Start your
children earning money at an early age.
- When buying
insurance, pay the premium annually. It's less expensive in the
long run than paying monthly, quarterly or even semi-annually.
- Check all
monthly bills closely, including your bank balance. Big companies
can and do make mistakes.
- Examine your
check at restaurants to make sure no error has been make.
- Buy things
out of season for big savings, such as after Christmas.
- Grow your
own herbs and spices in window-sill flower pots.
- Coffee is
expensive. Brew only as much as your family will drink.
- Save and sell
recyclable materials such as aluminum, paper, etc.
- Don't spend
for extra ice cubes. Store them in plastic bags in the freezer.
- Bread becomes
stale more quickly in the refrigerator. Store it at room temperature
or in the freezer.
- Learn about
auto upkeep and how to do minor repairs yourself.
- Don't look
for a new apartment until after the peak renting season is over.
- Instead of
buying house plants, get cuttings from friends.
- If you need
a lawyer, carefully investigate his fees in advance.
- Be wary of
banking gimmicks. Be sure you get the best deal in town.
- Shop at discount
and variety stores for biggest savings on cosmetics.
- Dilute your
shampoo with small amount of water - for easier rinsing.
- Before buying
anything new, ask yourself if you really need it.