Ideas for turning "lemons into lemonade."
Browse this list of money-saving ideas about choices you make nearly every day. We suggest that you try one or two of these ideas at time rather than all at once. Little things, when added together, can make a big difference.
Select a subject area, or scroll down to view the entire list.
- Share a membership with a membership warehouse
- Buy in bulk and portion it out
- Shop together to save gas
- Share your knowledge – barter your expertise for someone else’s expertise (be sure to agree on the values of each other’s services beforehand)
- Rent out that extra room (choose carefully!)
- Host neighborhood/family/friend potlucks – emphasize fun over fancy
- Volunteer to pick up a cancelled program at your child’s school – providing you are able to keep the commitment
- Volunteer at something that is meaningful to you, and take the kids with you if appropriate
- Cooperate play dates, rides to activities, etc. for your children with other responsible families
- Cancel your gym membership and find an exercise buddy
- Adjust, turn off, or distance yourself from droning background noises like the TV or radio
- Respectfully ask co-workers to minimize or eliminate distracting sounds like gum cracking or "unique" cell phone ring tones
- Choose comfortable clothes – avoid itchy or tight clothing
- Clear clutter so items are easier to find and the space appears orderly
- Turn off your e-mail alert and check your e-mail on YOUR schedule
- When feeling overwhelmed, give yourself a break from the stressors – walk, laugh, meditate, do puzzles. You’ll be better able to cope
- When stuff happens, revise negative and self-defeating thoughts to remind yourself that you are a take-charge survivor who can handle it
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- Buy regular gas if possible
- Change your own oil or barter with a friend or family member
- Compare retail prices to bluebook prices before buying a car
- Consider leasing versus buying
- Keep your tires inflated properly to get better gas mileage
- Perform regular preventive maintenance
- Don't forget to use the store gas discounts you've earned
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- Avoid ATMs that charge fees
- Check with your bank or credit union if you need some breathing room. Ask about:
- Skipping a loan payment
- A short-term loan for living necessities
- Loan consolidation
- Loan modification
- Don't carry your debit card or checkbook with you so you won't be tempted to make extra purchases
- Use an interest-bearing checking account
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- Accept hand-me-downs
- Buy clothing off-season
- Designate play clothes
- Don't buy dry-clean-only clothes
- Make your own clothes
- Never buy anything that isn't on sale
- Repair/mend torn items
- Re-wear unsoiled clothing
- Shop secondhand and thrift stores
- Take good used clothing to a consignment shop, or donate it to a thrift store
- Use a clothesline instead of a dryer
- Use slightly less detergent than recommended
- Wash in cold water
- Save up for full loads
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- After you pay off a debt, apply the payment amount to the debt with the next highest interest rate
- Analyze fees and compare
- Ask credit card companies or bank to lower your interest rate
- Consolidate multiple credit cards to avoid multiple fees
- Don't carry your credit cards with you to avoid the temptation to make additional purchases
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- Buy generic brands
- Buy in bulk, and freeze or otherwise store excess
- Cook from scratch
- Grow a garden (plant an extra Row for the Hungry. Contact your local food bank for information)
- Limit eating out
- Plan meals in advance and around sale items
- Save and eat leftovers
- Shop with a list, and stick to it
- Take a brown bag lunch
- Use coupons
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- Ask for generic prescriptions
- Ask your doctor for sample medications
- Moderate your caffeine and alcohol intake
- Have regular checkups
- Obtain services from clinics and the health department
- Stop smoking
- Maintain wellness
- Be physically active
- Eat well
- Get enough good-quality sleep
- Get enough vitamins and minerals
- Take care of your teeth
- Visit your healthcare provider regularly
- Take medications properly
- Have fun, and laugh deeply and often
- Pay attention to your stress levels
- Strive for a balanced life
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- Caulk windows and doors
- Check into refinancing
- Do your own painting
- Learn to do simple repairs
- Make your own cleaning supplies
- Replace 100 watt bulbs with 60 watt bulbs to cut back on electricity usage; better yet, replace incandescent light bulbs with CFDs or LEDs
- Use glass instead of paper cups
- Use worn out towels to make washcloths
- Run the dishwasher only when full
- Recycle, repair, reuse
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- Carry only liability on older model cars because the cost to carry collision may be more than the car is worth
- Carry only the minimum required insurance
- Check your coverage
- Comparison shop frequently
- Increase deductibles
- Purchase all insurance from the same carrier to obtain maximum discounts
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- Buy low-cost cosmetics and hygiene products
- Don't use a pet groomer
- Do your own manicures and pedicures
- Give time, not money, to charities
- Learn to trim your hair
- Make gifts instead of buying them
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- Attend high school sports events instead of more expensive college or professional events
- Cancel magazine subscriptions
- Eliminate or downgrade cable TV
- Instead of using the gym, bike, skate, swim, walk, run, or work-out at home
- Host potluck dinners at home
- Meet friends for coffee and dessert instead of dinner
- Rent movies instead of going to the theater
- Use public parks and free museums
- Use the public library
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- Drop extra services such as caller ID and call waiting
- Limit your long-distance calls and make them at night or on weekends
- Shop around for better long-distance rates
- Choose between a land line or cell phone. Do you really need both?
- Use the phone book instead of directory assistance
- Write letters, text, or e-mail instead of long-distance calling
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- Carpool
- Drive small, economical cars
- Live close to work to save on commuting costs
- Use public transportation
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- Conserve water by turning off the faucet while you're brushing your teeth
- Don't use your dishwasher's drying cycle
- Lower the temperature on your hot water heater
- Lower your thermostat at night
- Set your thermostat to 75 in the summer and 65 in the winter
- Take a five-minute shower
- Use lights only when necessary
- Use low-water flush toilets or similar water-saving devices
- Use the utility company's budget plan
- Water your garden in early morning
- Check with your power and cable companies about special rates or programs for lower income families
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- Carry your expense tracker with you to monitor miscellaneous expenses
- List savings as a fixed expense on your budget
- Look for package deals for regular telephone, cell phone, and Internet service
- Mark your calendar with due dates of upcoming bills so you pay them on time and avoid late fees
- Pay bills the day they arrive
- Prorate and save for non-monthly expenses every month
- Save pocket change
- Save receipts
- Search the Internet for freebies
- Set aside fun money for the entire family
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