Simple Steps to Saving Money (A Few Ideas)

If you're like most Americans, your budget is getting tighter and tighter. Despite a few signs that the economy might be looking up (at least for a little while), it's still a great idea to save money as often as possible. You might be eating out less and taking advantage of coupons more, but there are still quite a few more ways to save money for you and your family. Here are a few examples:

D.I.Y.

There are so many ways to save money around the house. With a little hard work, you could save hundreds of dollars a year by doing little things around the house that add up over time. Messy house? Try cutting back on the use of a housecleaner and doing it yourself. Need to cut the grass? Polish off the lawnmower and do it yourself instead of paying a landscaping company. Broken appliance? Go online and see if you can fix it yourself instead of paying a repairman or buying a whole new appliance. All you're really doing is paying for convenience, after all, most household expenses can either cost you time or money. If you're looking to save, trying spending some time maintaining your home.

Taxes

Take the time to educate yourself about paying taxes. It's often expensive to have someone else fill for you, but most people are too reluctant to do their own taxes. However, education on the subject is free and readily available. You can have the best of both worlds with free tax software, and invest the time to learn about refunds and deferments that might be available to you. Remember to keep receipts in one location and keep a solid, up-to-date financial record.

Thrift Stores

These days, there is no shame in utilizing thrift/consignment stores to save a bit of money. With a little effort (and luck) you can find an entire wardrobe for pennies on the dollar. You can invest in a nice sewing machine and alter clothes that don't quite fit or even have them tailored if you'd like. You'd be surprised how many name brand clothes you can find in thrift stores today. Don't be confused though, "vintage" stores may be just as expensive as retail.

Biking/Public Transportation

Have you seen the price of gas these days? It's only getting more expensive too. That's why you should cut back on driving as much as possible. Set up a carpooling schedule with your colleagues, walk to work, invest in a bicycle, or use public transportation. It's better for the environment and easier on your wallet too. And try to take care of errands en route to other destinations. It's much easier to cut back on how much gas you need when you multi-task your errands as much as possible.

You may have thought you'd exhausted all of the potential ways to save money, but with creative thinking (and some elbow grease), you'll find ways to save even more money than before. With today's economy, every little bit counts, so stay frugal and carry on.

Paul Lynch is a freelance writer that enjoys writing, living, and saving money whenever possible.