10 Simple Money-Saving Tips You Can Use Today

Written by Tom Drake

Everyone these days wants a better idea of how they can save money. Most of the time, though, the best savings come on everyday purchases, or on regular expenditures that you make. If you want to save more money over time, and if you are ready to improve your finances overall, looking for ways to save money regularly can be a big help.

Here are 10 money-saving tips that have helped me and hopefully you can benefit from doing these as well.

1. Don’t pay an annual credit card fee. There are many cards that don’t have fees and still include the extras like warranty extension and travel insurance. You can get great perks that can save you money overall, and you don’t even need to pay an annual fee. The warranty extension can be great because then it saves you money on extended warranty costs as well.
2. Cut back on going to restaurants. Instead, plan your meals. You’ll save money on your food bill, and you’ll eat healthier, too. If you like to go out to eat on occasion, you can save money when you consider getting your local Entertainment Book. This book includes a lot of 2 for 1 deals at restaurants. It can pay for itself in a couple of outings!
3. Consider switching your local phone to a VOIP provider like Ooma, Primus or Vonage. For $30 you can have local, long-distance, caller ID, messaging and all the other bells and whistles. It’s a much better deal than many of the “traditional” telecommunications providers.
4. Get a quote on your home and auto insurance to make sure you’re getting the best price. Staying with the same insurer can get you loyalty discounts, but if someone else is cheaper it might be time to change. At the very least, shop around once or twice a year, and if you find a cheaper rate, let your agent know and give your current insurer a chance to match the rate.
5. Switch to LED or CFL lights. While the bulb will cost more than a regular bulb, one $3 bulb can provide you with $15 to $50 in energy savings over the 5-year life of the bulb. Over time, that starts to add up. It’s a long-term win.
6. If your cellphone contract is up within the next few months, call the company and ask to speak to their retentions department. If you let them know you’re considering switching to another provider, most are able to give you a deal better than you’ll find advertised. It’s an awesome way to get a good deal on your service.
7. Instead of buying coffee at Tim Hortons or Starbucks, make it at home and bring it to work in a thermos or travel mug. This will also save you some time in line ups and gas since you aren’t making the detour on your way to work!
8. Review your cable TV package. Are there any channels you can do without? You might be able to save $20 a month by downgrading one tier. And, if you realize that you aren’t watching much TV at all, you might do better ditching the cable. Plenty of online services can offer you access to your must-see show for much less than buying an entire package.
9. Using a water filter at home instead of buying bottled water can save quite a bit. I have a water cooler, but instead of buying the large bottles, I have a refillable bottle and just replace the filter every 3–6 months.
10. Install a Nest programmable thermostat. The thermostat can be programmed to reduce heat or air conditioning when you’re away or asleep. Energy Star states that homeowners can save $180 a year by properly setting their programmable thermostats and maintaining those settings, and the Nest makes it even easier with its own smart automation.

This certainly isn’t everything you can do but it’s a step in the right direction to keeping more of your money. I’d love to hear your best money-saving tips as well. How do you save money each day?

10 Simple Money Saving Tips You Can Use Today was originally published on MapleMoney on June 29, 2015.