Everyone wants to save the world...I want to save pennys (Saving tips)

Member Name: iamasadlittleboy

Product:	Saving tips
Date:	14/08/09 (50 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Savings

Disadvantages: Spending it one other things

Money at the current moment is something we don't seem to have enough of, unless your a banker or a British Politician, so we need ways to cut our spending and to save ourselves a few precious penny's where we can. What we need to remember first though, is there is no bee all and end all way to saving money on the whole, we can cut corners to try and keep a hold of what we can, but the savings are often better when using multiple techniques to save money not just one or two. We can also save money in totally different forms, from Entertainment, to Shopping, Bills to Transport, Children to Banking, there's no limit on how many corners there is to cut and what can be saved.

With entertainment it's easy to either watch something or listen to something you already have rather than go out and buy a new movie or CD. Maybe even see what is on the television and see if you can perhaps wait a night a or two for a good film to come on, or make your own entertainment. Cards may not be hugely popular any more, but the variety of games that can be played with cards is almost limitless and their cheap. Also remember if your a console gamer you'll have games you can replay, or have a multiplayer contest with.
If you really need to buy something you've not got like a new game, CD or even a DVD check around the second hand places (either in an independent stall or shop, or bigger stores now like Game and Blockbuster) to see if you can find what you want at a knock down price. If it's bought second hand and doesn't work at most stores they will replace it free of charge so there is no real risk involved there.

Shopping can be one of the biggest financial killers but also one of the easiest to save on, as we turn thrifty into an art form. Look for cheaper alternatives, Pepsi and Coke don't taste much different so if ones on offer get that, or look even lower down the scale, cutting back on non essentials such as Crisps (potato chips in America) and biscuits can save you a fortune over the space of a year. Look at the offers and decide whether or not they suit you, not whether or not their good value. No point in you have 20 packets of biscuits if only 6 are going to get eat before the others perish, that's wasting money, not saving. Use vouchers and saving schemes, most big supermarkets will have a saving scheme of some sort, be it stickers in a little book or a loyalty card these often just say thank you to shopping at their store.
Also shop around, use comparison sites to see where is the cheapest products are, don't stick to the bigger stores when a smaller one can be significantly cheaper. Shops may have loyalty schemes but thats as a thank you, not because they are loyal to you, you don't need to be loyal to them either.

Bills can either be the most devastating item on the agenda or one you have under wraps depending on how savvy you are. You can change your electronics company and gas company, your phone provider, your credit card company all easily enough (their may be some fees that apply in some conditions) so find out if any are offering a cheaper rate than the current one your one. If so don't change straight away, call your company and tell them you've seen CheaperLeccyForAll (or whatever the company is) is providing the same service at a lower price, and you're considering changing provider. What this will do is often get them to make a counter offer, this is where the bigger savings come in than changing straight away. If your mobile phone contract is up, again try the same thing, they company will regularly through in nice little bonuses as a thank you for staying there.
Also can you do with out certain products? Do you really need an 8GB broadband connection for what you use the internet for? Could you perhaps see if the company are willing to let you lower your speed and bandwith for a reduced price (some won't other will on a person by person basis)

Transport is something that if you ever depend on petrol price you could be going crazy, but with public transport there's savings to be made with things like rail cards cutting 30% of some transport fees which end up paying for themselves quickly enough for you to wonder why you didn't already have one. With cars and the like could you cycle to work for a week? Or how about car pooling? Have you thought about getting it converted if you're spending a lot on petrol 3 weeks of petrol to convert the engine will be paid back inside a month or two. It may seem like a high cost up front but the long term results will be worth it.

Children are some peoples nightmares to spending "can we have this mummy?" "daddy can we go there?" Sometimes the best entertainment is free so look for free days out (they do happen) or vouchers in newspapers for ½ price tickets at theme parks, you can then say "no we can't do the extreme paragliding today because we're going to Alton Towers next week and we need money for there". Even getting them second hand clothes and games will save money on getting new ones. If possible go food shopping alone (with out the kids in tow) food now a days is colourful, bright and appeals to children. Who will want it if it sports the current fad, and no parent likes saying no to their children, the guilt trip that those company's live on is immensely clever.

Banking a problem I hear a lot about can cost people a small fortune in charges, or make the rich even wealthier. If you have the money to put it in a savings account or an ISA do it, you won't look back. However if you're not that lucky put it into a cash card account, you don't want an over draft if you can't afford to get out once your in as banks will hit you with repeated charges. Remember banks are the biggest conmen out their when they get the chance and should be seen more like a needed evil in society rather than as someone you wish to work along side. If they get the chance to get their paws into you they will, over and over, so it's not always about the interest rates they offer, but the charges they apply to you. Also remember the savings you've made on food and entertainment could be left in an account to accrue a little bit of interest. Smart huh?
Also remember when possible use your own money and not the banks, credit cards are the biggest sham known to man, and it's not helped when the providers do little to help their customers. Things like ROSO (Right Of Set Off) that banks can impose are effectively theft and the interest rates themselves are disgusting, the charges help no one and it's not a wonder that so many folk are declaring bankruptcy. Treat your bank like an enemy and deal with them as little as possible.

So tips to saving money, they should all try to be applied where possible to make the most of the savings by not spending it on soemthing else the next day. Take note Bee.

Summary: Quick ideas for savings