For 30 days, we shared a series of budget tips with readers that we personally use in our lives. Hopefully these tips will give you some ideas and inspiration for saving money.
You can also download the tips as a PDFs to hang around your home for reminders.
Budget Tip #1: Think Before You Dine Restaurants are expensive. If you eat out less and cook your own food, it’s healthier and you’ll save money.
Budget Tip #2: Go Old School with Lunch Make a pact with a co-worker to be lunch buddies and bring your lunch to work each day.
Budget Tip #3: Find Your Inner Barista We all love a good cup of Starbucks. But save yourself some money and learn to brew your own coffee.
Budget Tip #4: Can You Hear Me Now? Shop around for cell phone companies and see what kind of money you’ll save.
Budget Tip #5: Resist the Temptation Recycle the shopping catalogs. Looking at all the items only invites temptation.
Budget Tip #6: Cash is King Studies show that people pay less money when paying with cash versus a credit card.
Budget Tip #7: Plan, Plan, Plan! Plan your meals on Sundays. You’ll have your dinners planned and will save money during the week.
Budget Tip #8: Don’t Be Selfish Consider splitting subscription costs with another person. You’ll both get something of value and will save money in the process.
Budget Tip #9: Things That Go Beep in the Night Buy slightly-used electronics rather than new ones to save on sticker shock.
Budget Tip #10: The Dewey Decimal Deal Read all the books you want by checking them out at your local library.
Budget Tip #11: Movin’ on Up! Sell your used moving boxes or buy slightly used ones. You’ll not only save money, you’ll save the environment too.
Budget Tip #12: It Doesn’t Hurt to Ask! Need something you may not end up using much? Ask your friends before buying it new.
Budget Tip #13: Go H2O Cut out soft drinks and liquid that comes in a bottle. Water is healthier and free.
Budget Tip #14: The More, The Merrier! Buy in bulk and save money. This is especially helpful if you buy online. But several things at once to avoid multiple shipping charges.
Budget Tip #15: Whistle While You Work Don’t spend money on a housecleaning service. Spend time as a family and clean together. You’ll save money and do something together.
Budget Tip #16: Do Your Homework! Before you buy, ask yourself if it’s of value and whether you can find it cheaper somewhere else.
Budget Tip #17: Sharing is Caring Split bulk purchases with a friend. You’re doing a good thing and saving money.
Budget Tip #18: There’s a Difference Know the difference between a need and a want. It will help you tremendously in the long-run.
Budget Tip #19: More Than One Way Before buying something, see if there’s a way to get the item for free, used or borrowed.
Budget Tip #20: Freecycle! Look for a “freecycle” program in your neighborhood when you need to buy something.
Budget Tip #21: Be Kind to Your Car Regular maintenance will go a long way staving off expensive fixes and car payments down the road.
Budget Tip #22: Waste Not, Want Not Be mindful of what goes in your trash can. Can you use those items for something else?
Budget Tip #23: An Apple a Day … Plan for unexpected medical expenses by saving an amount equal to your annual deductible.
Budget Tip #24: Ho Ho Ho! Save for holiday spending all year round.
Budget Tip #25: Make a List and Stick to It Make a list before you enter the store and resist the urge to browse the aisles.
Budget Tip #26: Cold Hard Cash If you over-spend on credit cards, try using only cash for one week.
Budget Tip #27: There’s an App for That Check to see if things you need can be done via apps.
Budget Tip #28: Holiday Road Pack snacks and lunches before you head out on your road trip.
Budget Tip #29: One Size Smaller Get one size smaller when you order food. It will save you money and calories.
Budget Tip #30: Cut the Cable Do you really watch all those cable channels? Why not drop down a package?