30 Practical Ways to Cut Expenses

Are you feeling overwhelmed with the high cost of living these days? If you think it is impossible to cut back any more than you already have think again. Here are 30 different tips to cut expenses. Even if you followed a few of them you could find that it is possible to make your money go further.

1. Save on energy costs. Use power saving CFL lights. Hang your clothes instead of using the dryer, Only run things your dishwasher when full. And don’t leave lights or appliances on unless you are using them.

2. Skip the movies and rent or borrow dvds. You will also save money by making your own popcorn.

3. Instead of meeting friends at the coffee shop or bar, call them home. Potluck dinner parties are a good idea.

4. Do you eat out at work? Plan ahead and pack your lunch.

5. Carpool to work whenever possible.

6. Go generic on prescription and over the counter drugs whenever possible.

7. Do you see a good sale for a product you use anyway? Stock up whenever possible! If you have coupons for the sale item you can save even more.

8. If you make a lot of long distance calls then it may pay to go with a plan that offers free long distance. Otherwise, limit calls to nights and weekends when rates are normally cheaper.

9. Start saving your spare change. You will be surprised at how fast it adds up.

10. Buy clothing off season and never pay full price. Often what you find at one store full price will offer something similar on sale.

11. If you smoke quit! Not only will you save a ton of money but your health will greatly improve.

12. Install a water saver type shower head.

13. Save money by working out at home. Rent or borrow an exercise dvd before buying to make sure you like it.

14. Keep your vehicle well maintained. That way you will hopefully get many more miles out of it well after it is paid off.

15. Shop in discount stores – even Warren Buffet does that!

16. Do you have high interest credit cards? Consider refinancing or making power payments each month (making more than the minimum payments).

17. Eat out less. Try to keep stocked up on the ingredients for quick meals to keep from going through the drive-thru on days you are just too tired to cook.

18. Don’t be afraid to ask for a deal when buying large ticket items such as cars and furniture.

19. Is rent high where you live? consider getting a roommate or move if you have to.

20. Try Freecycle.org for getting and receiving unwanted items for free. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

21. Stick with the cheapest cable plan you can get. Check your local library to borrow video tapes and dvds for free.

22. Don’t waste money on manicurists and pedicurists – you can do their work yourself at home.

23. Open a savings account that you use just for emergencies. If possible have just $5.00 per week taking right out of your paycheck and work your way up. This will come in handy the next time you have an emergency car repair.

24. Save on dry cleaning costs by purchasing items that can be washed at home.

25. Shop around for cheaper car insurance, homeowners, etc.

26. Drink more water. Sugary soft drinks should be an occasional treat instead of an everyday staple.

27. Reduce clutter and earn some extra money with a garage sale.

28. Don’t be late in paying your bills – the interest can be killing.

29. Plant a vegetable garden. If you don’t have a lot of space you could try container gardening.

30. Know when to splurge. Cut back on the trivial things that eat up your paycheck and you can splurge occasionally on something fun.

Whether you implement some or all of these tips or even come up with a few of your own, finding creative ways to stretch your budget will really pay off financially.