miserly tips and tricks for broke 30 somethings

Yesterday was a snow day, so I didn't have to work. I couldn't get out of bed for the life of me, but I decided I could make the most of my piling by looking up ideas for the blog. I did a lot of research and I would like to share some money saving tips. I know that there are some tips that are no brainers, spend less, save more! Don't shower for 20 minutes, turn the thermostat down etc. I am fully prepared to give you some non lame ideas you may not have thought of. Hopefully, one or two strike your fancy and you can adopt them into your lifestyle. Before my miserly list of scandalous money saving tricks I wanted to share a few statistics.

 A four-minute shower uses approximately 20 to 40 gallons of water.

On average in the winter your thermostat should remain at  68°F In the summer, it should remain at 78°F

Studies show that the proper measure for money spent on groceries is $100.00 dollars per person per month. ( Think about how much you spend, bet its a lot more)

Americans spend an average  $2,700 each year eating out. Alcoholic beverages alone contribute almost $500 to that budget.

Now on to the show stopper. How to save money each month, I give to you tips and tricks of frugality and cheapdom. 

At the Grocery Store

1. Commit to shopping less.
Its easy to stop at the store after work to pick up a few last minute items. Truth is, the more you shop the more you spend. All those $10.00-$20.00 odds and ends trips add up. A recent study shows that impulse buys shoot up 23 percent on unplanned trips, and decrease 13 percent when planned.

2. Plan out your meals
Smart menu planning can help save you money at the store. I would try to plan weekly menus. This also helps with the never ending question "What should we have for dinner?" If you are hardcore you can plan monthly menus, but that seems too overwhelming to me. 

3. Leave your credit card at home                            

Experts say to set aside 10% of your weekly salary for groceries and to plan on paying with cash. Shopping with dollars in hand will cut spending by about 25 percent per trip. "It's psychologically more difficult to fork over cash than a credit card," says Jeanette Pavini, coupons.com's household savings expert. When you only have a certain amount to spend, its easy to forgo life's simple pleasures at the store. Leave the Oreos and Kit Kats for the next shopper with less discriminating taste. 

4. Consider another store
Ostyn suggests tracking prices of staples to see which stores offer competitive prices. "Identical items often vary by at least a dollar," says Ostyn, who points out that most people shop at three supermarkets a month. Sniffing out the lower prices on 10 items a week will save more than $500 a year.

Saving money at home

1. Make your own cleaning products. 

Check Pinterest and the Internet for recipes. You can easily and inexpensively make your own Febreeze, Windex, Laundry Detergent and Shower Spray from items you have on hand. Plus you save yourself from all the harsh chemicals in store brands. 

2. Pack lunch/ Eat dinner at home

Eating out each day adds up. Eating out, is even pricier. If you plan your meals you wont be caught up in the we have nothing to eat, I am too lazy to cook web.

3. Invest in a freezer chest

You can use to freeze extra food, which enables you to pay less per pound of it at the store. You can also prepare meals in advance and can stock up when there are good deals.

4. Utilize the Library
Buying books can add up. Check out the local library for some books. Many libraries also have DVD's and CD's. Borrowing them is cheaper then the $5.99 you would pay On Demand. Sharing with friends is also a good way to save some cash.

5. Get Thrifty
My friend Luisa loves to go shopping for what she calls "Treasures" she shops around and gets vases and accessories on the cheap. Thrifting is super fun and you can save a ton of money. However, It doesn't need to be limited to just treasures. You can find gently worn clothing and other household items from blenders to sofas at thrift stores. 

6. Gasoline

You can save hundreds of dollars a year by comparing prices at different stations. Gasbuddy.com will help you compare prices to find the cheapest gas in your zip code. By filling up your gas tank when you have a quarter tank left, you wont be stuck going to the nearest most expensive station if your car is almost empty. 

7. Don't waste money on things you (think) you deserve
Everyone is guilty of a little retail therapy. At the end of a long day, there is nothing more tempting then stopping off at Target to get a new pair of flats or some bath towels. Fight the urge. Its a fact that you spend more when you are emotional or upset. Instead of shopping, treat yourself to some tea and a bubble bath, or a good
 ( free) book from the library. It may sound lame, but in the long run it can be just as if not more relaxing then some good ol' retail therapy.

8. Make A Budget

 When money in a given category is gone, don’t spend anymore. Here are some guidelines for how much of your money should be going towards what:

•30 percent: Housing and debt (mortgage/rent, credit cards, auto loans, student loans, etc.)
•26 percent: Living expenses (food, clothing, utilities, transportation, medical, entertainment)
•25 percent: Taxes (federal, state, local, and property; FICA and Medicare)
•15 percent: Savings and retirement (401(k), stocks, mutual funds, college savings, etc.)
•4 percent: Insurance (life, health, disability, auto, homeowners, etc.)

9.  Create a No Spend Day

One Saturday each month, don't spend any money. This could be interesting and in the long run, you may bond with your man and save some cash in the process! 

10. Cancel a service

Cable is something that I personally enjoy, but not too long ago, I cancelled my service. I was saving about $120.00 a month by not having cable, and I felt like it made me a better person. I was reading more, blogging more, and exercising to pass the time. Plus, if I was really desperate I could throw on channel 3,6, or 10. If you need to save some cash, consider eliminating services you dont need. Cable is one of them! 

11. The thirty day rule

 Whenever you’re considering making an unnecessary purchase, wait thirty days and then ask yourself if you still want that item. Quite often, you’ll find that the urge to buy has passed and you’ll have saved yourself some money by simply waiting. This will also give you time to price check and compare stores to get the best buy.

12. Run Appliances at Night

Run appliances such as clothes dryers and dishwashers at night to avoid peak energy rates and the humid heat they generate. Excess humidity is more than uncomfortable -- it can also be expensive, since air conditioners use extra energy to process the moisture.

13. Unplug Your Electronics

Unplug small appliances whenever you can. Computers, cell phone chargers, and other electronics often continue to use power -- and radiate heat -- even when turned off. To simplify, plug items into a power strip that you can use as a master switch.

More on Budgets tomorrow... Until then, I would love to hear about any money saving tips or tricks you use on the regular! Stay cheap my friends! xo