Easiest Ways to Save Money

Slash Your Grocery Bill

Generally, your grocery bill is the first place to look when you want to start saving money. For example:

• Shop with a list. Having a plan for your purchases reduces the waste associated with impulse buying. It’s also a good idea to avoid shopping when you’re hungry, since you’ll be tempted by unnecessary treats.
• Buy items your family uses frequently in bulk. Whether you’re shopping for peanut butter or cereal, the larger size is usually the best deal.
• Swap fresh produce for frozen fruits and vegetables. They’re just as nutritious, but much cheaper.
• Try store brand products. Staples such as flour, sugar, pasta, and rice have little difference in quality among brands. Don’t pay extra for advertising!
• Plan meatless meals one day per week. Meat is the most expensive component of many meals. While it's a good source of protein, the average American consumes much more meat than what is necessary for good health.

Pay Attention to Energy Use

If you’re like most people, you probably haven’t given much thought to your utility bills. However, this is a simple way to reduce your monthly expenses. For example:

• Use small appliances to cook whenever possible. In addition to being a convenient way to prepare meals, microwaves and slow-cookers can use up to 75 percent less energy than a large electric oven.
• Adjust your thermostat. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that you’ll save about three percent on your energy bill for every one degree that you lower the thermostat setting in the winter or raise it in the summer. Change the temperature by one degree each day until you find a setting that’s comfortable for you and your family.
• Turn off lights and appliances that aren’t in use. For example, powering down your computer at night saves $70 per year.
• If you need to buy a new appliance, look for the "EnergyStar" logo. This designation from the Environmental Protection Agency indicates that the appliance exceeds minimum federal energy-use standards, thus reducing your monthly utility bills. Shop during the off-season if possible to take advantage of the best prices.

Take Good Care of Your Possessions

As you might expect, one of the easiest ways to save money is to simply take better care of the items you already own. For example:

• Follow through with your vehicle’s scheduled maintenance. Regular oil changes may seem like a small thing, but they can add years to the life of your vehicle.
• Clean your vacuum. You will generally burn out the motor of your vacuum in less than one year if you fail to remove stray hairs and threads from the beater bar on a regular basis. These bits of debris will eventually form a strong cord that prevents the bar from turning properly, thus straining your vacuum motor.
• Pre-treat clothes for longer life. If you seem to be constantly buying new clothes to replace stained items, buy every person in your house a set of laundry stain removal products and teach them how to use them before they throw their dirty clothes in the hamper.
• Preserve storage dishes. When you’re storing spaghetti, lasagna, or other tomato-based dishes in plastic containers, spray the inside with a thin coat of vegetable oil to prevent the formation of unsightly stains.

Additional Information on the Easiest Ways to Save Money

If you’re looking for more of the easiest ways to save money, check out the following helpful resources:

• Easy Ways to Save $5,000 a Year
• Small Ways to Save Big
• 101 Ways to Save One Dollar a Week
• 30 Easy Ways to Save Money

Also read LoveToKnow Save's interview with Deron Beal of Freecycle to find ways to save money through the exchange of free items.