MoneyMondays
Savings Tips
MoneyMondays is a weekly text-campaign that sends tips on saving and asset building to your cell phone every Monday. We also post extra tips and links on our REI Blog every Monday. MoneyMondays tips are also featured on our Twitter and Facebook pages .
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MoneyMondays Archive
Reuse those plastic grocery bags as bin liners for smaller trash cans rather than buying small trash bags.
If you are able, enroll in direct deposit instead of cashing paper checks. You will get every cent of your pay rather than paying the check cashing fee. Vist the Real Economic Impact Blog to learn more about direct deposit.
Magazine subscriptions can add up. If you and a few friends enjoy the same publications, share a subscription.
When shopping online, before you make your purchase, search Google to see if there are any discount codes available for the company. They’re almost always are. Visit the Real Economic Impact Blog to learn more.
Why buy when you can borrow? Swap, rent, and borrow websites allow you to get access to things you need (or even want to try) without shelling out the full cost of buying. Visit our Real Economic Impact Blog to learn more.
Don’t forget your reusable water bottles this summer, you’ll save money, stay hydrated and help save the planet. Try this Nalgene Everyday Water Bottle from LLBean ($9.95).
Eating outside is a wonderful summer activity. Skip the patio dining at your local restaurant and pack a picnic dinner. It’s fun and frugal!
To save money AND water, don’t pre-rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.
Clean or replace your air conditioner filter every month to keep your energy bill in check. Check out these simple steps to keeping your filters nice and clean: Do It Yourself.com | How to Clean Air Conditioner Filters
Use rechargeable batteries! They cost more upfront but can be used hundreds – even thousands of times! Save green while going green! Check out this great article from the State of California’s recycling department on rechargeable batteries.
Planning a summer vacation? Try to be flexible about your travel dates. You may be able to score some last minute bargains if you’re flexible on your dates. Check out LastMinuteTravel.com.
Trying to pay off credit cards? Always pay the card with the highest interest rate first – those are costing you more in the long run.
Adding just a few dollars to a loan payment can help you pay down interest sooner!
Grow your own produce! Many of those refrigerator-drawer staples - tomatoes, lettuce, peas and carrots - are also among the easiest to grow. Check out this great article on Discovery Channel’s Planet Green Blog for tips on gardening indoors!
Make sure all your electrical devices are plugged into a surge protector, electronics are expensive & if a power surge happens, they can be damaged!
It never hurts to ask for "fees" to be waved – you would be amazed at how many places will wave them!
Cancel unused club memberships! That's money that could be used elsewhere.
Don’t engage in “retail therapy" - don’t spend money just to de-stress, it will only cause stress later.
Need some extra cash? Clean your closets & have a yard sale or take clothes you no longer wear to a
consignment shop.
Don’t throw out damaged clothing, repair it instead! Sew on a new button or re-stitch that split hem line.
Inviting friends over instead of going out is an easy way to save! Use Evite to send fun invitations for a game night!
If you are considering a large purchase, wait 30 days - It might not seem as important to have as it did before.
Keep a spending diary for 30 days to evaluate where and what you spent money on. This helps you compare needs vs. wants.
Check out the unit price of an item to find the best deal when buying items like toilet paper & paper towels.
Cut coupons & remember to take them with you to the grocery store!
Call your credit card company & ask for an interest rate reduction, what's the worst that can happen?
Get organized! Being organized & paying bills on time saves on late fees & high interest rates.
Shut the vents in unused rooms, no need 2 heat/air condition rooms that aren’t being used.
Instead of subscribing to magazine & newspaper subscriptions, read them online, at home or at the library.
Pay Yourself First...Learn more about paying yourself first:
http://bit.ly/6wYkec
Shop around for a higher interest savings account, sites like http://www.money-rate.com/
Its gift giving time, make your own instead of buying!
Try generic brands versus name brands.
Check the air pressure in your tires, proper air pressure saves gas thus saving money.
Drive the speed limit, yup, driving the speed limit is more fuel efficient which = more cost efficient.
Brown bag it, that's right, pack a lunch instead of ordering out when you're at the office.
Save your coins, throw them in a shoebox and watch your rainy day fund grow.
Make a shopping list & stick to it, a list makes you less likely to impulse buy.
Don't go grocery shopping when you are hungry, you will be more likely to impulse buy and remember to bring a list.
Turn off the lights and other electronics (TVs, Computers, Stereos) when you are not using them.
Want to rent a movie? Go to your local library and borrow one for free, instead of paying rental fees.