As the back-to-school rush continues and we start to settle into the new school year, we can all use some quick easy tips that can save hundreds of dollars over the course a year. Some are probably familiar. Others though- ya’ll might not be on board with them, and that’s ok. Choose what you like.
In no particular order, here are some of my favorites:
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Make your own coffee at home and put it in a travel mug. I love a huge caramel big-box store coffee as much as anyone, but the (almost) $4-$5 per drink really hits where it hurts. For what it costs for 2 gourmet coffees out, you can buy a huge can or bag of coffee (and buy some flavored creamers) that will last you a month.
Can’t squeeze out anymore toothpaste? Cut open the tube. There will be enough for a few more days in there.
Use about half the laundry soap the instructions recommend, especially on dark clothes. Soap stays in the clothes- you might be surprised just how much. I have a load of darks that I’ve washed 3 TIMES since I last used soap on them, and they STILL suds up.
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Wash dark and colored clothes at the Laundromat. No, it’s not convenient, since you have to leave the house. But, I can get 12 loads of laundry done in around 90 minutes, including drying. It costs about $10 a week, but saves over 12 hours of doing laundry one load at a time, plus our gas, electric, and water bills have decreased by a combined total of about $60- $80. This might not be true for everyone, but it’s worth a try. I would recommend washing white clothes at home, though- they often need to soak and that option is not available at the Laundromat.
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Many Laundromats are near grocery stores- shop while the clothes spin and get two chores done at once.
If you wash at home, dry outside on a laundry line. Saves a lot of gas and electricity, plus the clothes are super fresh and there is no lint to speak of. Your clothing will last much longer, as the fibers do not get broken down by the extreme heat of the dryer.
Wash clothes with cold water whenever possible.
Keep your furnace and dryer vents clean and lint free. Not only do they use more energy if they are clogged, they can be a fire hazard.
Run electrical and gas appliances after 7pm, if possible. It’s cheaper.
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Go around and turn off lights and electronics. If you are like me, your kids (and *other* household members…ahem…) leave lights on like they are trying to support the electric company. If you are not using it or in the room, turn it off or unplug it.
Extra refrigerator in your garage? Huge energy user. Turn it off when empty.
Turn off the AC and open the windows. Some days it’s totally justified to have on the air (like the 106 degree days we’ve experienced in SoCal lately) but most days, some fresh air (especially at night) is all it takes to cool off the house. Just dress a little lighter, or run around with no clothes like my 4-year-old.
To keep the heat out on summer days, close the curtains or use blackout blinds.
Lower the thermostat on your water heater.
Use lemon, vinegar, and baking soda as home cleaners. Cheap, green, and economical.
Water lawns and plants in the early morning or late evening. The water will not evaporate as quickly, so the vegetation will get a better soaking.
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Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. Seriously. Why just look at it run down the drain? Picture it as money heading down the pipes. Jingle, jingle, jingle….
Slipcover old furniture or pillows, and refinish old wooden pieces. Rearrange your furniture and get rid of clutter. You might discover that a room feels brand new after that.
Re-use plastic bags. Each box of bags can cost $2 or more. If they are not torn -and haven’t held anything particularly nasty- wash them out with hot water and soap, and maybe a drop of bleach, then rinse carefully. Dry by hanging over wooden spoons (or other tall items) in a rack. My grandmother has been using the same 4 bags since about 1970, I think…not that I’m recommending using them THAT long.
There are loads of other ways to save money- these are just a few of the tips we use in our household. Used regularly, you might save enough for that much-needed family vacation. Viva la savings!
Find of the week: After all that hard work pinching pennies, it’s time to relax with some Fresh & Easy Big Kahuna wine, only $1.99 per 750ml bottle!
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Justine is a biological anthropologist, deal seeker, and stay-at-home
parent to a
rambunctious 4-year-old boy. She digs bones. And donuts. You can follow
Justine for more frugal fun and other anthropology tidbits on Twitter: @JustineBurgess1.
This is not a sponsored post.
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In no particular order, here are some of my favorites:
Make your own coffee at home and put it in a travel mug. I love a huge caramel big-box store coffee as much as anyone, but the (almost) $4-$5 per drink really hits where it hurts. For what it costs for 2 gourmet coffees out, you can buy a huge can or bag of coffee (and buy some flavored creamers) that will last you a month.
Can’t squeeze out anymore toothpaste? Cut open the tube. There will be enough for a few more days in there.
Use about half the laundry soap the instructions recommend, especially on dark clothes. Soap stays in the clothes- you might be surprised just how much. I have a load of darks that I’ve washed 3 TIMES since I last used soap on them, and they STILL suds up.
Wash dark and colored clothes at the Laundromat. No, it’s not convenient, since you have to leave the house. But, I can get 12 loads of laundry done in around 90 minutes, including drying. It costs about $10 a week, but saves over 12 hours of doing laundry one load at a time, plus our gas, electric, and water bills have decreased by a combined total of about $60- $80. This might not be true for everyone, but it’s worth a try. I would recommend washing white clothes at home, though- they often need to soak and that option is not available at the Laundromat.
Many Laundromats are near grocery stores- shop while the clothes spin and get two chores done at once.
If you wash at home, dry outside on a laundry line. Saves a lot of gas and electricity, plus the clothes are super fresh and there is no lint to speak of. Your clothing will last much longer, as the fibers do not get broken down by the extreme heat of the dryer.
Wash clothes with cold water whenever possible.
Keep your furnace and dryer vents clean and lint free. Not only do they use more energy if they are clogged, they can be a fire hazard.
Run electrical and gas appliances after 7pm, if possible. It’s cheaper.
Extra refrigerator in your garage? Huge energy user. Turn it off when empty.
Turn off the AC and open the windows. Some days it’s totally justified to have on the air (like the 106 degree days we’ve experienced in SoCal lately) but most days, some fresh air (especially at night) is all it takes to cool off the house. Just dress a little lighter, or run around with no clothes like my 4-year-old.
To keep the heat out on summer days, close the curtains or use blackout blinds.
Lower the thermostat on your water heater.
Use lemon, vinegar, and baking soda as home cleaners. Cheap, green, and economical.
Water lawns and plants in the early morning or late evening. The water will not evaporate as quickly, so the vegetation will get a better soaking.
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. Seriously. Why just look at it run down the drain? Picture it as money heading down the pipes. Jingle, jingle, jingle….Slipcover old furniture or pillows, and refinish old wooden pieces. Rearrange your furniture and get rid of clutter. You might discover that a room feels brand new after that.
Re-use plastic bags. Each box of bags can cost $2 or more. If they are not torn -and haven’t held anything particularly nasty- wash them out with hot water and soap, and maybe a drop of bleach, then rinse carefully. Dry by hanging over wooden spoons (or other tall items) in a rack. My grandmother has been using the same 4 bags since about 1970, I think…not that I’m recommending using them THAT long.
There are loads of other ways to save money- these are just a few of the tips we use in our household. Used regularly, you might save enough for that much-needed family vacation. Viva la savings!
Find of the week: After all that hard work pinching pennies, it’s time to relax with some Fresh & Easy Big Kahuna wine, only $1.99 per 750ml bottle!
About Justine
This is not a sponsored post.
