Simple money saving ideas

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Saving money through smart shopping and eco-friendly practices can offer simple solutions for a tight budget. Obvious money-saving ideas such as taking your lunch to work or not buying an expensive cup of coffee each day are smart ways to stretch your budget. Other simple money-saving ideas may not be so obvious, but they can have a definite impact on your finances.

1. Save Energy

   • A few of the simplest money-saving ideas also conserve energy. Adjust the thermostat in your home or apartment up or down to reduce energy costs. Invest in a programmable thermostat -- use it properly and you can save around $180 annually in energy costs for an average single family home, according to the United States Department of Energy.

   Shop Around

   • Take the time to research purchases before spending your money. Thanks to the Internet, shopping around for the best bargain is simpler than ever before. You can compare savings on everything from local groceries and drugstore deals to automobiles. Look for coupons or coupon codes on specific items or from specific stores that can save you money. Coupon codes are used for online purchases- printable coupons are used for in-store purchases.

   Repurpose

   • Rather than purchase new furniture, repurpose used furniture from a thrift store, yard sale or your garage. If the furniture piece has good bones and the design fits your lifestyle, you can alter its appearance with a little sweat equity. Break the old finish with light sanding, repair imperfections with wood fillers and then paint or stain it to suit your dé-cor. You can save hundreds of dollars by refinishing old, sound furniture. Recycling old furniture is also better for the environment.

   Trim the Fat

   • Take stock of your monthly expenses to find ways to reduce the cost of necessary services or to eliminate unnecessary expenses. For example, cancel the gym membership and work out at home or cancel your home phone and use your cell phone instead. Look into bundling services such as cable television and computer access. Compare prices for homeowner's and automobile insurance- don't become complacent because you've been with a company for years -- look around for a better deal.

Source: www.ehow.com

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