Money Saving Tips
"Spend less than you earn...simple but effective."
R.W. - Patriot Member
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"Bring your lunch to work and eat your leftovers."
K.D. - Patriot Member
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"Never charge more on your credit card in one month than you can afford to pay off the next month."
S.H. - Patriot Member
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"Fill a 1/2 gallon milk jug with water and put it in your toilet tank - this raises the water level & keeps the toilet from using so much water to fill the tank each time you flush."
C.O. - Patriot Member
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"When making a budget, be sure to track expenses afterwards to make sure it is realistic. For example, if you budget a certain dollar amount for gas or groceries, track them over the next couple of months to make sure you are within your budget. This will also allow you to also find ways to improve it in the future. Sometimes we don't realize how much we spend until we track where all the money goes."
M.S. - Patriot Member
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"Think hard about that impulse purchase. Really ask yourself if that purchase is really what you need and want. Will I want this product a week from now? Sometimes we realize it was not so important. Save for the future."
P.O. - Patriot Member
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"Take something (notebook/workbook) with you every day to remind you to record your expenditures and to remember your spending plan and goals. I carry a workbook in my backpack everywhere. It helps to remind me that I have other options than uncontrolled or unplanned purchasing. Remember if it's out of sight then it's likely out of mind. Spending is supposed to be a before thought. Sometimes my weakness is fast food and having a few dollars in my pocket and the workbook with me helps me make a decision to just drive by which many times results in healthier money saving options. It's a thought process habit that must be performed daily if you're going to succeed in bringing your spending under control."
M.H. - Patriot Member
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"Taking a look in some of the better thrift stores for new-like clothing can save a family a bundle of money - especially when there are young children outgrowing their outfits almost every month - not to mention shoes."
I.B. - Patriot Member
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"Use cash instead of credit cards."
K.H. - Patriot Member
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"If you're carrying a large balance on a high interest credit card, don't be tempted to get a low percentage deal on that card. Most credit card companies deduct from the balance of lowest percentage as you make payments and the high percentage balance sits accumulating finance charges."
K.S. - Patriot Member
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"Eat before you go shopping, and leave everyone at home. If you eat before you shop, you won't want to buy everything that looks good. And leaving everyone at home will cut back on kids throwing things in the cart or whining to get something."
G.M. - Patriot Member
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"Don't charge anything on your credit card that you can't afford to pay when the bill comes due."
J.B. - Patriot Member
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"Track all spending by category. It is easier to make financial adjustments or set limits to spending, when certain of where all money has been spent. Review monthly or quarterly."
D.E. - Patriot Member
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"Setting a specific amount, and strictly adhering to it, for grocery items per week and paying with cash, a debit card or credit card (provided it is paid off on the due date): a. Plan meals to be prepared for the week. B. List down grocery items to buy: ingredients for the week's meals; other consumables. Find the price of each item from our Excel file of common grocery items we purchase from a store with corresponding prices. D. Add up all the items. If the total amount is more than the specific budget, delete the items that are not necessary and/or replace them with substitutes with lower prices. Priorities are on fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods, over-the-counter must-medicines for kids, etc. If the total amount is less than the specific budget, purchase the items that may be needed in the following weeks."
K.B. - Patriot Member
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"Most all refrigerators have a switch on the door that activates a strip heater in the door to prevent condensation buildup around your door. If your refrigerator is in a conditioned space, you do not need to operate this feature. By turning this switch to the off position you will save money on your electric bill."
J.H. - Patriot Member
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