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When I first started blogging, I wrote a couple of posts on how to save money in various areas. As I probably only had one reader (me), I figured I’d highlight some of them just in case you missed it.
Housing and Transportation often takes up a big chunk of a budget, so check these out to find additional ways to save money in these expensive categories.
How to Cut Transportation Costs
How to Cut Housing Costs
Buying groceries is one of the things that you can’t avoid doing. It has also been a popular topic, so check out how I save money on groceries.
How to Save Money on Groceries
And for the days that you decide to eat outside, you can save money by checking out these tips.
How You Can Save Money When Eating Out.
Now on to more ways you can save money:
Communication:
Cellphone- If you have an expensive cellphone plan, consider splitting a family plan with family members or even friends. For most plans, you can split a family plan even if you do not live together or even if you live in different cities. A cellphone bill with data, text messaging and voice will costs approximately $90 or more for a single person. When split up in a family plan, the costs can go down to around $60. It may get complicated if the people you share the plan with are not responsible people who pay on time. Also check to see if you qualify for a discount. I get a discounted rate for being a government employee. There are also discounts for service members, students, and various other organizations and companies.
Land line- You have a cellphone so you might not even need a land line. However, some people do want a separate phone line. I didn’t have a land line for a few years, but my phone and my wife’s phone would sometimes be on vibrate and we’d miss certain calls. Plus, for people with a family, it’s nice to have a phone at home. I bought the Ooma device which you connect to your high speed internet to get free calls in the U.S. You have to pay applicable taxes which come out to about $4.00 a month depending on your location. If you want more features, you can pay for premier service which is still probably less than most phone bills. The Ooma Telo Free Home Phone Service
Library: This is an obvious one, but so many people overlook it. Many haven’t been to a library since they were in school. They have books, DVDs and CDs. Many libraries are pretty high tech now, allowing you to reserve and renew things online and to borrow books for your e-reader.
Television: Cut the cord already! There is plenty to watch on over the air television. If that isn’t enough, there’s always Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. You can also sometimes watch episodes of your favorite shows on its website. Plus, watching television makes you less productive.
Haggle:
Services- I’ve gotten my bills reduced just by asking. Well, actually I had to threaten to switch providers and I was transferred to the retentions department where they seem to have more flexibility to give you a discount. I received $10 off my cellphone bill because I told them that I don’t text that often and do not want unlimited text messaging, which was the only plan available. The customer service reps were not much help until, I said that I was cancelling. I was transfered to the retentions department and they were ultra friendly and gave me the discount. With my cable internet provider, they also gave me a reduction and it was less of a hassle.
Merchants- People will haggle at a car dealership or when purchasing a house, but many rarely do so when buying other products. Well, if you don’t ask for a discount, you won’t get it. Now, I’m not haggling over a stick of gum, but for bigger purchases, it pays to negotiate. When we were buying a mattress, I didn’t even intend to haggle, I just wasn’t ready to buy. But the salesman dropped the price $100 and I took it.
Pay Cash:
I love using cash back cards. I’ve also discussed using coupon codes, shopping portals and discounted gift cards in a previous post to save money. However, cash sometimes is king. If you offer to pay cash, many places will offer you a cash discount.
What other things do you guys do to save money?
Oh yes, cable goes!
In terms of transportation, I walk if its a short distance, bike if its medium and carpool whenever I can manage.
On utilities I have adopted more energy efficient bulbs and appliances and invested in a device that cuts off the power to some of the devices when they are plugged in and not in use.
Simon @ Modest Money recently posted…Personal Capital Review – Taking Investing To The Next Level
Yes the vampire suckers…I don’t have that device but I should get it. However if I go on a long vacation, I unplug the TV/computer etc because it sucks electricity even when it’s not own. Good tip! And I definitely agree about walking short distances…people are so lazy that they have to drive everywhere.
This is another use for your local library — some lend out Kill-A-Watt devices that help you identify the biggest energy suckers in your home, so you know what to prioritize in terms of unplugging.
That is good to know Rebecca…thanks for the comment.
Great tips Andrew and good recap. With regards to cable we have cut the cord long time back and it saves us a lot of money every year. Planning and following budget is very important. Also I use coupons a lot to save more money as well
Rita P @ Digital Spikes recently posted…Become rich now or never
Good…cable TV sucks time and money away. Where do you usually get your coupons?
We haven’t been to the library in forever! I would like to change that. We could save so much money!
Michelle recently posted…Is A House Right For You?
Yes you should definitely check it out.
Ahhh, I love to save money. I like that you mentioned haggling as a way to do it. Some of my friends may look at me funny when I negotiate price at a flea market but, they paid $20 for what I paid $15 for! Thanks for the great post!
Josh from CNAFinance.com recently posted…I’ve Finally Started To Invest…Off To Betterment!
I’m not a great haggling, but I will ask for a discount! Depending on where you are or what you buy, the merchant is usually pretty flexible.
You totally nailed it on the library. I ignored the one that was six blocks from my house for years until finally getting off my butt. Now my entire music collection has been refreshed for free and we’ve watched countless movies and TV shows all for free. I feel like such a fool for forgetting about it for so long!
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I know, it is often overlooked. When my wife worked as a preschool teacher, she was there all the time getting children’s books, DVDs, and CDs. They have events for kids there too so you can bring your son there.
I don’t think we will ever use a landline; I alternate between using my cell phone and skype, otherwise I would go through my minutes pretty quickly. We have cable included in our rent, and even though it’s the entire package, it gets so boring! They play the same movies over and over again. I would never pay for the extras (or for cable in general).
I use my library for everything. I am lucky that they have a huge selection, and if they don’t have something, I can request it from another library. It’s usually convenient, except for when you’re watching a popular show and 18 people are ahead of you in the queue :(.
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Yea, Skype is good but I wanted something where I could use when the computer was not on and where someone can call me. That’s a good point about the library…even if the library closest to you doesn’t have it, you can request it.
I take full advantage of my local library for free books and DVDs. Additionally I have an unlimited plan through Walmart and T-mobile where I have talk/text/data (2 gb – throttles after that) for $50 a month (you can do $40/month if you only want 1gb of data before throttling.
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted…Have you had a Quarter Life Crisis?
Interesting…I’ll have to look into that plan. It sounds pretty good. How’s the service? I had some problems in my area with T-mobile though.
I really like the idea of using a library. I don’t have much time to read these days but if I ever do, I usually buy a paperback from the local supermarket. Why though, when libraries have lots of great books on offer? Great tips, thank you!
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Thanks! I used to love the library…this was back in the day before the internet so it was the only place where I could find information (no google!). It is still a great resource and has free books! My wife borrows books that she doesn’t have time to read and she just renews them online so it’s pretty convenient.
These are all great ideas! And really, all of those little things do add up quick!
Holly@ClubThrifty recently posted…Why I’m Glad I Have an Emergency Fund
Thanks Holly! Yes the little things do add up to a lot of savings.
Great advice here Andrew. We haven’t found a need for a home phone yet but I could see how it might be valuable once the kids get into school and we start getting more calls around those kinds of activities. If I could add one thing to your list it would be your investments. I know you’re already well-versed on this topic, but people pay so much more for their investments than they have to and it’s so destructive to their long-term wealth. And it’s so easy to pay less.
Matt Becker recently posted…You Have to Allow Failure in Order to Promote Growth
Thanks Matt and yes you’re right it is so easy to pay less for investments. I think that might deserve its own post!
We save hundreds of dollars each year on library books! Especially with two young kids who love books, we’re able to take 5+ new ones out each week for them to read, which is great.
We also save a lot of money by utilizing the freezer we bought for our garage. Two ways:
1) When we see sales we’re able to buy in larger quantities.
2) Having a freezer actually makes us cook more often and saves money on fewer pizza or Thai takeout nights. The way this works for us is my wife will take an hour and fry up 5-10 dinner portions of chicken cutlets (for instance. Could be pasta sauce, lasagna, etc.) and freeze them in individual meal portions. It’s so easy after a long day to just take one of those out to get a delicious home-cooked meal instead of ordering food.
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Oh yes it’s great for young kids. My wife was at the library all the time when she worked at the preschool. My wife and I also cook left overs and put it in the fridge…but probably not as many portions. We have a small apartment so don’t have room for an extra freezer.
Haggling is the key, I often ask my providers for discounts. We have a home phone because the cable company gave it for free so I wouldn’t switch my internet. Its important to haggle especially when you buy your fist property, including getting something back from the agent. I was able to negotiate 1% back on my purchase from the agent.
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I’d be interested to know how you got the agent to give you back some money. There is a service called Redfin where the agents will give you a portion of the commission and I might use them when I buy my first property.
I just ordered a Republic Wireless phone and can’t wait to try it out! I don’t think anything can beat a $19/month plan! As for the rest of my budget categories, they are pretty low. Especially housing I only pay $226 a month right now.
I’ve heard about Republic Wireless…I’d definitely be interested in how you like it after you try it out. I might make the switch too…along with everyone in my family plan.
Good tips! I’m using Republic wireless now and it’s working out pretty well for us.
I also would like to try Ting. That might be cheaper for me because i don’t use the phone all that much.
retirebyforty recently posted…Baby Expense – The Cheapest Month Ever
Thanks! I’ll definitely have to look into Republic Wireless. I’ve never heard of Ting though.
Retentions is a big one, I make a date in my calendar to call them every time my deal runs out, 12 months usually and make sure they keep the discount.
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Good idea, I should put an alert on my calendar too because I automate a lot of my bills and sometimes I don’t realize that the promotional discounted rate has gone up.
Recently downgraded my cable and internet, I ride my bike to work sometimes, take cash back instead of paying ATM fees
Demaish @ Borrowed Cents recently posted…The three paycheck month equals winning
I wish I could ride my bike to work…I work too far. I don’t understand it when people pay ATM fees, it is so easy to avoid. I’ve seen people pay a fee and only take out $20. So when they need more, do they pay the fee again and take out another $20? Odd.
You are right on about the whole haggling thing. I do this every six months with my internet provider. I have been on special “introductory” offers for like 3 years now.
Michael | The Student Loan Sherpa recently posted…Obama’s Swings and Misses Again on Student Loans
Haha, yea I’m on the “promotional” rate. If you don’t ask for it, they won’t give it to you.
Amazingly, I’ve been trying to cut my cord on XM Radio for over a year. Every time I go to end it, they give me a rate of $8 for the next four months. $8! I’m not even trying to haggle, I just want out, and they’re handing it to me. We take lots of long trips, so I’ve kept it…..
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Everytime you want to get out, they find a way to pull you back in! Yes, whenever you try to cancel is when they give you the best deal.
It is so true that sometimes you get a good discount when you haggle around. If we do not ask for discounts, you may end up paying the entire amount for the item. You can also give a try to get the best discount when you are going for big purchases which is worth negotiating.
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Big purchases are definitely worth negotiating. When we moved to our apartment, we bought almost all of our furniture from one store. We negotiated a little and got a cash discount but thinking back I think we could have haggled more since we were buying so much. I’m need to work on my haggling skills.
We cut cable nearly a year ago and don’t miss it a bit. And just yesterday I called our phone/internet provider and haggled our bill down a bit. It really does work!
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Good for you! I think it’s time for me to call my internet provider too as my discounted rate has ended.
I walk short distances. I no longer watch TV. I wear my natural hair. I eat natural foods. Those are the ways I save money. Great share, by the way!
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Thanks! Walking is great…too many people drive even when it is short distances! And no TV is also great…makes us so unproductive!