13 Ways to save $100 per month
1. Bag your lunch and bring it to work.
This is a goldmine so to speak. Personally, I spend about $7-20 a day on lunch while I’m at work depending on what I feel like eating, the fact that I work in downtown Manhattan doesn’t help. Let’s make the average to $10.
I could save a bundle if I were to make a sandwich for about $2-3 from home and bring it to work (buying coldcuts at the local grocery store), along with a $1 soda thats about $3-4 spent on lunch everyday as opposed to an average of 10$.
Savings: $36 per week.
2. Institute a ‘tax’ on your household.
We all hate taxes. No, let me rephrase that, despise taxes. However this is a little different. What about getting you and each person living in your house to put $2 a day in a savings jar? You can then use this money towards anything. Clothes, food, movies, a long needed vacation, a car, anything basically, be as inventive as possible!
Savings: ~$20 per week (based on 2 family members).
3. Change adds up quickly, don’t let it disappear under your couch.
You’re at your local StarBucks and you order a cappuccino for $3.42. You get an ugly $0.58 cents back. I used to forget about this change, lose it, or stuff it down my pants pocket for it never to be seen again.
A week ago I started saving all my change, I mean every single penny and dime. Then at the end of the week I went to a coinstar machine at my local grocery mart. How much did I save? $9.87. I was shocked really, I didn’t know it added up so quick. I was well on my way to an easy extra $100 a week.
Savings: $5-10 per week.
3. Give yourself a pay check every two weeks.
Whether you get your pay every week, bi-weekly, or daily, take a percentage and save it! Whether you put 15% of your paycheck in a money market or 2% in a small savings account you’ll be surprised as to how quickly all of it adds up. Set a percentage and deduct it as the first thing that you do with your paycheck.
Savings: $10-100 per week (depending on your salary).
4. Turn off your AC, TV and other appliances when you’re not home.
Seems really simple and basic but you’d be surprised how much you can save and how many people don’t do this. For more information on exactly how you can save money by conserving energy, check Get Energy Smart out.
Savings: $5 per week.
5. Don’t drive if you can avoid it.
Gas prices are nearing around $3 per gallon these days, its ridiculous. Dump the car (if you can) and use a bike, run or take public transportation to work. You’ll also save a ton on tickets ;-).
Savings: $20-50 per week.
6. Brand name household products will burn your cash, buy cheap and buy wholesale.
Why get 9-ply super-duper-fancy-ass-toilet-paper when you can get the no-name brand for 3/4th the price? Run through Costco and BJ’s to get your household needs at a wholesale bargain that will last you a lifetime.
Savings: $5-10 per week.
7. Make your calendar work for you.
Haircuts, pedicures, manicures, massages, car wash, etc. If you do one of these activities (services) every 2 weeks, why not make it every 3-4 weeks? You can save a bundle by stretching these out over a longer period of time.
Savings: $5-10 per week.
8. Scrap your home-phone line, use your cell phone instead.
Might not be viable for everyone but I have ditched my landline and added on some more minutes to my wireless plan. I’m saving $30 a month on my home line and added $10 a month to my cellphone bill.
Savings: $20 per month.
9. Waste less energy in your home.
I found this amazing resource which has 101 ways to save money around the house by optimizing lighting, air conditioning, heating and so forth.
Savings: $30-50 per month.
10. Have crap around the house that’s picking up dust? Sell it on eBay.
Believe it or not, people will buy crap you don’t use. Where else but on eBay? I have a friend who sold his PlayStation (Yes, PS1) for $120 on eBay. Find stuff you don’t use and put it up there. Make sure to do a search and see what similar items are selling at and always remember to consider the seller fees.
Savings: $5-500 per month (depending on items).
11. Ask yourself, “Do I really need this?”
I realized how much stupid crap I wast tons of money on month in and month out. Ask yourself if you really need what your about to buy, will it have an impact on your life or will you throw it away and stop using it a month in?
Savings: $X per week (really depends on the person).
12. Head to the local library instead of Barnes & Nobles.
Let’s face it, your local library probably doesn’t get the newest Harry Potter as soon as it ships but it probably has a wealth of great books that you can read for free. Why spend $25 on something that you’re only going to use once, maybe twice?
Savings: $20-50 per month.
13. Get rid of those cancer sticks.
Smoking will eat your cash alive. I had a problem giving it up but finally did, and my wallet loves me for it. You’ll probably save money at the laundromat too ;-).
Savings: ~$20 per week.
