Want to find an extra $100 within your regular spending? Knowing where to look and how to trim it is a good start. These are just a few very simple tips but they do add p.
1) Bring your own coffee in the car instead of picking one up.
$2.00 per day, five days a week, four weeks a month equals $40 per month, and that's if you just pick up one on the way to work! If you pick up another on the way home, now you're up to $80 a month.
While many will argue that coffee from home just isn't as good as the specialty and gourmet coffee shops, well, that's true, but they have your $80 at the end of the month and you don't. Try a different brand of coffee, and always use cold, filtered water when prepping for your early morning caffeine intake. If this doesn't work, maybe getting a new spouse who can make your coffee for you. While they're at it, maybe they'll blow your nose and wipe your ass for ya!
2) Take full advantage of "Free Shipping" online shopping offers.
Not only will this save you money of gas (because it's free, dumb ass), it will save you money on fuel (to get to the mall or store of choice), food (because you won't be out and hungry), and impulse shopping (there will be no "Oh---I need that!" because you'll be online, where it is much easier to see the total amount of cash spent and quite simple to delete an item if you change your mind.)
3) Errand consolidation and product planning.
If you have to run out to the store, make a list before you go so that you don't forget anything. Not only will you save gas, but you won't have to stop at the higher-priced convenience store on your way home from work to buy the dishwasher detergent that you forgot.
And while you're going out, consider which items are cheaper in certain stores (like paper goods and snack foods are usually cheaper in the national, discount department stores than they are at your regional supermarket) and purchase them there. Even if you don't need an item at that particular moment, you'll end up saving a few bucks in the long run.
4) Unplug small appliances and plug-in air fresheners.
Did you know that leaving a plugged in hairdryer or iron, even when the appliance is turned off, can suck electricity and bump up your energy bill? Doesn't that suck? And you know those cutie air fresheners that plug in to an outlet, releasing wonderful whiffs of sunshine continuously into your home? Yeah - they'll suck the cash out of your checking account, too.
5) Avoid "Time-Saving" products, when possible-
You know, like the little, individual bags of chips, cookies and other snacks at the grocery store. It's usually substantially cheaper when you buy a really big bag of chips and separate them into little baggies yourself than it is to purchase the "ready to go", single serving versions, brand name or not. Corporate America knows that we often don't have time to breath, so they create these handy, convenient ways to simplify our lives while simultaneously putting a few coins in their pocket.
It's all about those little savings per day that add up, and that $3.33 per day for 30 days can be your lost $100.
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