13 Unique Ways To Save Money

Are you tired of being in debt? Maybe you just want to save some money for something special. Well, there are many ways you can save a bit of cash that may not be your ordinary way to save money! Ways to cut the budget that people don’t normally think of.  Here are 13 unique ways to save money that you can implement right now:

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I’ve tried to think of ways to save money that aren’t the norm for most people! Just remember, it doesn’t have to be forever. You can make budget cuts and implement these ideas for the short term to get you out of a bind. Or you can embrace these ideas and just keep them as a way of life.

13 Unique Ways To Save Money

#1. Skip Couponing (if you’re an over spender)
If you are an over spender, sometimes couponing can lead to you spending more money than you would without couponing. Those $10 off of $20 coupons can save you money if it’s something you’ve planned on buying anyway. But it can also tempt you into unplanned spending because you’re “saving” $10.  You’re really spending $10 that you hadn’t planned on spending! Only coupon for what you need or use a price book for your groceries instead.

#2. Leftovers (not just your own)
Make it known that you are willing to accept any one’s leftovers. This leftover thing doesn’t need to be weird. Just take leftovers when people offer them to you (after holidays and family gatherings, work functions, church functions). Better you use them than to have them thrown out.

#3. Cut Back On Washing Your Hair
If you usually wash your hair every day try every other day or every third day. You’ll save money on hair care products and water. (this also applies to hair cuts/hair color/manicures etc.)

#4. Go With a Store Bought Phone
In today’s day and age, you can save a ton of money by going with a store bought phone. Republic Wireless or Straight Talk has the same service (in most locations) as the bigger brands, like AT&T and Verizon.

#5. Hang Around Thrifty People
If you are spending a lot of time with people who spend money, then you will probably spend a lot of money as well. Hang around thrifty people and you are less likely to spend money.

#6. Be “Stingy”
Americans spend way more money than they really need to. It’s time to get a little stingy with your money. You don’t need to go out with your friends every weekend or leave the house every day (unless you work of course). Stay home and watch the dollar signs add up.

#7. Go to Bed Earlier
I know some of you have to stay up and work so this doesn’t apply to you. However, going to bed at reasonable time will help improve your health AND is one way to save money on electricity. Not getting enough sleep makes you feel tired and cranky. When you’re tired and cranky you don’t make good choices.

#8. Detail Your Own Car
You probably ignore this part of your car anyways, but in case you get the itch to pay someone to do this. Don’t do it. Simply wash, wax, and detail your own car to save some money in the long run. If you’d like to make extra money, you could even start a little side business in the car detailing department.

#9.Use a Clear Jar
Every time you get some change –  a penny, quarter, or dime put it in the clear jar. It’s amazing what you can save over a short (or long) period of time. The clear jar helps you see your progress a little better.

#10. Clearance Section
Have you ever stopped and looked in the clearance/markdown section of the grocery store? It’s not just old food that’s sitting there to be bought. Most of the time this is food that is simply changing labels (companies decide to upgrade branding from time to time). They put it in the clearance section to make room for new stuff or a new meat sale starts and they have to get rid of meat to make room.

#11. Get Rid of Not Only Cable but Your Internet
If you need to really save money (like you have a lot of debt or a not enough income). You may need to a way to keep more of the income you do you have.  Consider getting rid of your internet. Yes, this seems radical!  It seems drastic. But drastic measures may be what you need to do in this season of your life.  It  might take some getting used to. But you do what you have to do. You can go to the library and there are plenty of free WiFi spots all over town. If you still have a smart phone you can check to see if using it as a hot spot is cheaper than paying for internet with your cable provider. It doesn’t have to be forever!

#12.  Unplug Stuff
Look up the concept of vampire power/standby power. Even when your TV is off it’s still drawing power. Same with keeping your phone charger plugged into an outlet or your coffee maker plugged in. These phantom loads are making your electric bill higher than it needs to be. Some people like to plug their electronics into a energy saving power strip (making it easier to turn stuff on and off).

#13. Recycle/Upcycle Everything You Can
No joke, recycling  or repurposing can help you save a lot of money. Extending the life of an object or thinking of new ways to use something you already have keeps you out of the stores. However, you don’t want to be one of those people on a television show because you decided to collect every single piece of paper you came across (trust me).

I hope these tips for little things you can do to save money help you! What out of the ordinary things do you do to save money?

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