“A penny saved is a penny earned.” or “Take care of the pennies, and the dollars will take care of themselves.” These sayings from previous generations offer an essential piece of wise advice.
When we think of saving money or reducing expenses, we often think of significant amounts of money, but the reality is, it’s the little savings that add up to become substantial savings over time. When we begin a plan to become debt free, we ask ourselves, “Where can I save money?” And it might seem that everything is shored up tight and there is nowhere to cut spending. It may seem that we have made all the cuts we can possibly make.
That’s when remembering to save your “pennies” comes in handy the most.
To help you successfully save your pennies, when dollars seem impossible, we’ve collected some of our favorite ideas for putting the pennies in your piggy bank instead of someone else’s pocket.
Buy used
This may not be the best plan to save on groceries, but from clothes to cars, tools to books, buying gently used items instead of new off-the-shelf items will help you save money and the planet.
Reevaluate your subscriptions
We have all fallen prey to it. A magical Facebook add convinces us that we need a subscription, to make life easier and increase our cool factor. Or maybe you got a screaming introductory deal on a package, and now you can’t be bothered to cancel. Whatever it is, now is the time to take a hard look at all of your subscription services (talking to you 10,000 channel cable package) and determine if it’s something you need, or only something convenient.
Unplug
Whenever a gadget is plugged in, even if it is turned off, it uses standby power. That means, everything plugged into the walls, right this minute is costing you money. The solution is simple. Unplug it.
Put larger electronic items like tv’s and game systems on a power bar and turn off the power bar when you are out or done using them for the day.
For small gadgets like mobile phones, coffee pots, and handheld vacuums simply unplug them when not in use, and plug them back in when you need them.
Ditch the gym
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Everything you do in the gym, you can do at home. Take a walk, a run, a hike, or use any of the million YouTube workouts from home. It’s more convenient, and you drive and people less. It’s a win-win.
Combine rides
Gas is expensive. Make sure you plan and schedule your drive time to group many errands together, instead of impulsively going out for single errands multiple times a day. Also, paying attention to your drive route and mapping out your destinations with the furthest away from home being your final one, makes for minimal drive time and saves on gas.
Watch your water
Pay attention to local watering schedules and only water your yard as long as necessary. Lawn roots are shallow, and most people water far longer than necessary. Also, having a yard that is a lighter shade of green is worth saving more green in your wallet.
Save on each flush by putting a brick or filled milk jug in the back of your toilet tank (carefully!) The space that the brick/jug takes up will reduce the amount of water needed to fill the take, but still, keep the pressure required to flush the toilet. This could save you many gallons of water each flush.
Time your showers. For each minute you are in the shower, a LOT of water is streaming down the pipes. That means money down the drain. Keeping your showers at 10 min instead of 15 or 20 will drastically reduce your water consumption.
Keep it minimal (sell it!)
Nothing clears the mind and eases the heart quite like a tidy house with minimal clutter. Are you finding it hard to be productive? Clearing the clutter is sure to help. The bonus? Selling the things you don’t need can also help make a more robust savings account. Haven’t been in your storage for years? Chances are you don’t need it. Not only will you make money on selling the items, but you’ll save on the monthly storage cost as well. No matter how you choose to sell it, online, to a brick and mortar shop or by having a yard/garage sale, let it go and cash in on your clutter!
Keep the change
When you make a purchase with cash, don’t just haphazardly throw the coins into your center console, instead, make a place to save your change and treat it as valuable as your bills. Before you know it, it will add up to substantial savings.