Thrifty Tips to Save Money

Coming up with thrifty tips to save money that you actually can and want to implement is difficult. One of the benefits of economic recession is that people learn to cut back on their needs and focus on their wants. However, sometimes the tips for extreme ways to save money are too much to undertake, while other little ways to save money don’t add up to much.

Being thrifty is, by definition, the careful management of one’s money or resources. Managing your finances is a skill that you need to master before you can begin to implement any ways to save money.

Create a household budget based on your current expenses and income. Then, look at areas that you could cut back on in order to save money. Focus on the areas with a little wiggle room, like groceries and entertainment first. Implement a few thrifty tips to save money in each budgeted category and see how the savings add up.

Just because you are looking for frugal ideas for living on a budget does not mean you want to eat plain noodles and live in sub-zero temperatures for the next year. Instead, try following the thrifty tips listed below to save a lot of money without sacrificing (too) much.

While you may not be in a position to refinance your home mortgage or move to a cheap place to live, you can cut down on some basic household expenses. Try the following:

• Internet, Television and Phone: Reserve a computer with Internet at your library twice a week in order to make room in the budget for your cable bill. Alternatively, keep your home Internet, but watch downloadable episodes of your favorite shows online, as most major networks offer their newest shows in this format. Cancel your home phone line and rely on cell phones; look for prepaid cell phones if you do not use the phone often.
• Heating and Cooling: Turn up the air conditioning temperature and use fans to stay cool while you cut your electricity bill; in the winter, turn the heat down two or four degrees and add an extra layer of clothing. Check your water heater; turn your temperature down to the lowest setting recommended in your owner’s manual.
• Furniture: Look for chair and sofa slipcovers to give your old styles a new design. Check yard sales, consignment stores and the free section of your newspaper for items that are free for pickup.
• Decorating: Try rearranging your room before you purchase something new. Practice thrift store decorating and look in your own home for accent pillows, rugs and end tables that could work in other areas of the home.

Saving money on groceries is more than simply learning how to save money with coupons. To really cut back on your grocery bill and get healthy in the process, plant a garden. Not only do you get exercise and fresh produce, but you will save hundreds of dollars a year if you learn how to can and jar your produce. People with a deep freeze can even make a few pie or tart fillings to freeze for later, too.

If you do not have the time or yard for a garden, you can save money by combining couponing, sales, generic brands and comparison shopping at the grocery store.

Individuals and families who enjoy eating at restaurants can find thrifty ways to accomplish that, too. Sign up for loyalty and birthday clubs at your favorite chains; usually you receive a coupon for a free appetizer or dessert during the week of your birthday. Look for places that advertise certain days where “kids eat free.” Split a large entrée with your friend or spouse.

If you are planning on getting pregnant, revise your savings plan and inflate your budget before the baby arrives. This way, you have extra money in your savings to cover unexpected expenses and you are prepared for your budget differences when the child arrives.

Think thrifty when it comes to sports camps and summer activities. Rather than send your child to a pricey week of soccer camp, search for a workshop or weekend “bootcamp” nearby that often costs less than half the price of the regular camp and offers your child just as much fun.

For 'tweens and teens, shop the end-of-season sales in the spring to get that awesome winter coat on a massive discount. Youngsters can often wear clothes their older siblings have outgrown and children’s consignment stores often carry gently worn clothing at a reasonable price.

Just because you’re looking for ways to be more thrifty does not mean you have to cut out all of your family’s entertainment. Try doing the following for some thrifty fun:

• Visit free art or history museums in your area
• Take advantage of free movies during the summer and holiday seasons at local movie theaters
• Attend the practice/training sessions of your local sports teams (often free or very cheap) or go on their media night
• Hike on trails at nearby parks and recreation areas
• Enroll your children in the local library’s summer reading program
• Visit area shopping centers (sans credit cards and checkbooks, of course) when they have events, like show choir performances, dance recitals, karaoke contests or meet-and-greets with local athletes

Incorporating thrifty tips to save money does not mean you have to stop enjoying your life in order to afford your life. By implementing a few of the thrifty ideas mentioned, you can begin to save money while continuing to enjoy your favorite television shows, eating at restaurants and finding some entertainment.

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