After writing about my success in money saving I heard a lot of requests for examples. So I have compiled a list of 15 ways to save a little in order to save a lot.
1. Don’t use your dryer
This one is super easy. Your dryer eats up a ton of energy, which in turn costs you money. We hang our clothes on the line for most of the year. I think I went almost a full year without even owning a dryer in my last home. Don’t have space to hang clothes outside? Hang them inside, on the back of doors, chairs, anywhere you can find. If going cold turkey on the dryer makes you anxious, start slow. Next time you do a load of towels, sheets, or blankets, hang those heavy items up instead of putting them in the dryer.
2. Wear your clothes more than once
I understand this one makes people uncomfortable, but I promise, most of us don’t get that dirty in a day. If you sit at a desk all day, or really don’t do much physical activity, there really is no reason to wash your clothes every day. I used to keep two piles. One was laundry that needed to be cleaned, and the other was laundry that could be worn at least one more time. It also results in saving time because I don’t have to do laundry every week. I have enough socks and skimmies (the two items I never wear more than once) that I only have to do laundry once per month. It’s a huge time saver as well as saves money.
3. Buy used clothes
New clothes are expensive. Honestly, I hate shopping, in part because who has $100 to throw away on 4 shirts or 2 pairs of pants? Those are the rates for new clothes these days. While I admit you have to spend some time digging through the selection, buying clothes from used stores or garage sales will save you a bundle. Believe it or not, there are some pretty good finds to be had as well.
4. Buy in bulk
If you have room in your house to store items in bulk, this will almost always save you money. I’m talking dried goods, paper products like toilet paper, and anything else you might want large quantities of. My partner and I are talking about getting a membership to Costco. We are pretty sure that even just buying paper towels in bulk from them will pay for the membership completely.
5. Use coupons
Shop sales and use coupons. It’s as easy as that. Half the time we go out to eat, our destination is decided based on where we have coupons for. If chicken is on sale for the week, plan a few chicken dinners. If you have space to freeze meat as well, buy extra so you can have variety.
6. Cook your own food
I know I just mentioned going out to eat, and we do. We probably go out to eat at least every other week. But buying groceries and cooking your own food, especially if you can buy your groceries in bulk, saves so much money. $15 worth of ingredients for pasta will make you pasta for 32 ($2 per box, 1 box feeds 4 people). $15 worth of pasta in a restaurant is one meal, maybe two with leftovers.
7. Return you cans
This is only applicable in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon, and Vermont. Each can is worth 5-10 cents. While this doesn’t seem like much, it adds up pretty fast. If you bought the cans yourself, you are paying the deposit and returning the cans will get you money back. I also encourage you to collect from neighbors and friends who don’t want to return their cans.
8. Reuse water cups
Similar to running your laundry machine and dryer less often, it’s nice to run your dishwasher (or sink if you hand wash) less often as well. One way to do this is to reuse water cups. I specify water cups because there is no dried residue in it. Water cups are basically clean. I’ll use the same water cup for an entire day instead of washing 5-6 cups.
9. Turn off lights
Using energy when you aren’t using a space is just wasteful. I am crazy about turning lights off. If I’m going to be out of a room for more than 15 minutes, that light needs to be turned off when I leave.
10. Turn your heat down
When my sister visited us earlier this year, I think in February, she was very dramatic. She complained it was freezing the whole time. That’s because I keep my house at 60 in the winter. 64 if we are feeling really chilly and want to indulge in warming up. That’s it though. I’m super against AC unless it is sweltering hot as well. Especially when we are not in the house, there is no reason to keep the entire place at 70 for the cat.
11. Change your shower routine
I know conventional wisdom is to take shorter showers. Except I love showers. So taking shorter ones really isn’t likely for me. Instead, I save water by turning it off while I’m soaping and conditioning. So even if I’m in the bathroom for 20 minutes, the shower is only running for 15 of them. If taking shorter showers is something you will actually do, then great, go for it. But if not, try turning water off for just part of your shower. It will save gallons.
12. Close up empty rooms
We have a guest room in our house that is only occasionally occupied. When it isn’t being used, I close the windows, curtains, vents, and doors. Our heating or cooling system then isn’t wasting energy trying to keep that room at a certain temperature when it isn’t being used. It also is nice because if no one is going in there, I only have to clean it right before we are about to have a guest.
13. Curtain control
Even with the nicest windows around, a lot of heating can be lost out windows. If you take time just twice each day to open or close your curtains you can help regulate the temperature of your house. In winter, I often close the curtains at night to keep cool air out and open them during the day to let the sun in. During the summer, I tend to close the curtains for just the hottest part of the day and open them when the heat has dissipated a bit.
14. Take the bus to work
I love taking the bus. I have a ton of reasons why I take the bus. But of course, one great reason is to save money. This advice is only applicable if you have a bus system worth taking, and I acknowledge that. Living in the Denver/Boulder area of Colorado, we have one of the most efficient and effective public transportation system in the United States. If you have a system worth using, use it. Get a monthly bus pass or if your work provides one, use it. You save money in gas, mileage, car maintenance, the works. Plus, it’s great incentive to leave the office on time.
15. Invest to save in the long run
As you start saving money, set some of it aside. We all have heard you have to spend money to make money. While I’m not sure I always agree, this is true when it comes to your home. Invest in solar panels, which will provide you free energy once you’ve paid them off. Upgrade your windows to help keep heat or cool air in your house. Take a minute each winter to replace your heating filter, which will help your heating system run more efficiently. Look around at your life and determine where investing a little money up front could really save you money in the long run.
