Money-Saving Moves to Use Today  

Ingenuity and savvy drive the money savers of today’s world. Whether you’re putting aside funds for a big investment, or just want to tuck away a couple extra dollars, there are some surprisingly easy ways to put a little extra cash in the bank account.

1. Get in a Free Workout Session
Many gyms offer a trial run with a free class or gym session without having to sign up, and others offer passes on a weekly or class-by-class basis. Fitness classes are also available online for free or for a small fee. Even with a fee, these are usually cheaper than a class at the local gym.

2. Score a Free Haircut
Keeping up with the latest hair trends and nixing the split ends can be expensive. An appointment with a student in training at a local beauty school, however, is often available at a huge discount or even free.

3. Avoid ATM Fees
Many ATMs charge a service fee for using a card that is sponsored by another company. Avoid this by planning ATM trips and using only the ATMs belonging to your bank.

4. Use the Library
It’s tempting to buy the latest 50 Shades novel as soon as it comes out, but before it goes on the charge card, try borrowing from a friend or locating it at a local library. For no fee at all, library card holders have access to thousands of books and resources, with even more available through interlibrary loans. Amazon also has a great selection of free reads for e-reader devices.

5. Look for Free Events in the Area
Scan the local paper, whether online or in print, for free events in the area. Or spend a little time at the nearby visitor’s bureau to get an idea of what festivals may be coming up. These are often very entertaining events, often with music, and most with free food and drinks for attendees.

6. Use Less Laundry Detergent
Often, it is easy to fill the cap of detergent without really considering just how much soap is going into the machine. Save money by following the recommended guidelines for gauging how much is necessary for the size of the load being washed. Usually this is less than the top line on the detergent cap. Good Housekeeping offers some excellent tips for keeping laundry detergent usage in check.

7. Use a Clothesline
Save money and electricity by drying clothes the old-fashioned way. During the winter months, a clothesline or drying rack set up in a heated laundry space should do the trick. When the weather warms up, move them outside, and get that delicious sun-soaked smell while drying your garments quickly.

8. DIY Household Cleaning
DIY cleaners are often much less expensive than their brand name counterparts, but with the same cleaning power. Everyday household ingredients like baking soda and vinegar are commonly used in cleaning products anyway, but making the DIY version leaves out all the harsh chemicals and the hefty price tag.

9. Map Out Errands
It can be easy to just jump in the car at the first sign that an errand needs to be run. If, however, this becomes a habit, an increase in gas and mileage use can be expected.  Instead, group errands together to knock out as much on the to-do list as possible without making extra trips.

10. Be a Savvy Driver
In addition to saving gas, taking care of vehicles can keep operating costs down and save hundreds each year. For instance, maintaining optimum tire pressure up can save $100-250 a year. That’s a huge savings yield for something that costs only a couple of dollars to do.

11. Cut Back the AC
Turning back the AC – or even better, turning it off – can seriously save some cash. In place of expensive air conditioning, try these AC-free tips to staying cool.

12. Set Up Automatic Deposits
Many payroll companies offer the ability to deposit a paycheck into multiple funds. Send a little every month directly into savings to keep it out of a checking account and away from potentially useless spending.

13. Keep a Jar of Change
Loose coins can get lost. Individually, the monetary value of coins may seem small, but together they add up quickly. Use a jar to throw in any “extra” change lying around. When the jar gets full, take it to the bank and make a deposit.

14. Cook Meals at Home
Eating out can drain a bank account, so try planning meals, getting the groceries needed — following a list, of course — and making the dishes at home. Not only will it save money, but it’s likely that your homemade fare will offer more nutrition. Not sure what to make? Check out these lists of healthy, inexpensive meals and tips for eating healthy on a budget for some inspiration.

15. Beware of Coupons and Sales
Coupons are great when wielded correctly. But, wielded incorrectly, you could walk home with four boxes of cereal you’ll never eat. If a coupon exists for an item normally of interest, use it. If it’s not routinely on the list, don’t.

Similar to the dangers of couponing (which, again, is a great way to save if done properly), sales have a tendency to lead the consumer to purchases that are not necessary, by giving the customer the (backwards) impression that they have “saved” simply by buying something.  So use a list when going to the store and stick to it to avoid any extra expenditures.

16. Try Not to Use a Shopping Cart
A cart is necessary on some shopping excursions — but certainly not all. Empty carts seem to have a desire to be filled, and when they are, an assured expense is created. Use a recycled tote bag, a shopping basket or carry the items you need. A heavy basket is a great deterrent for extra items!

Building a monetary cushion doesn’t have to be a hard or exhausting process. Make it easy by following some or all of these tips, and see your money-saving cache grow.