9 Ways to Save Money

Everyone wants to be more money-conscious and I have found 9 easy ways to save more money. It may not seem like you’re saving much but it will add up to thousands of dollars of savings, annually.

1. Cook at Home… Often:
   • If you’re busy with work or school, then cooking isn’t a priority. Well, it should be. It is the food that you eat which determines your energy level and emotional state (not always coffee & Red Bull). Eating healthy food which you cook yourself is a great way to save money and reduce stress. Also – everyone loves a cook!
2. Coffee:
   • Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts is great, and they have good coffee however, your bank account doesn’t like them very much. Why? Because it’s over $3 for a latte. Try making coffee at home and use a mug to keep it warm for longer. Also, I know Starbucks offers a small discount if you bring your own mug when purchasing coffee.
3. Buy in Bulk:
   • When purchasing non-perishable items, you should buy in bulk whenever they are on sale. Stock up on things like: canned goods, pasta, toothpaste, shampoo, TP etc… Shopping at stores like Costco, BJ’s or Sam’s Club can save you quite a bit of money when it comes to buying in bulk.
4.  Organic or non-Organic:
   • I love organic foods. It makes me feel better about my eating habits. Who wouldn’t want to eat organic sweet corn, Avocado, Frozen sweet peas, watermelon, sweet potatoes etc…? Well, guess what? There are a lot of foods that you don’t have to purchase as “Organic”. Check out the USDA.gov for more information about pesticides and a list of recommended organic foods.
5. ATM Fees:
   • If you use Bank of America, don’t withdraw money from another bank’s ATM. Fees are associated with the withdrawal. These fees are: Your Bank’s fee + the other bank’s ATM fee = $4-$6 per withdrawal.
6. Landline phone:
   • Do you still have a landline phone? And a cellphone? and Internet? … why do you have a landline phone? Maybe it’s time to cancel it and save some money!
7. Vending Machines:
   • Avoid vending machines. Drinks and food on vending machines have a huge markup and are not very healthy for you. If you love snacks, consider buying in bulk (see #3) and creating a secret stash of snacks. If you have a long commute, consider a stash for the car also, so you can avoid drive-thru visits.
8. Pay the Credit Card on Time:
   • This one is simple. Don’t overspend to a point where you can’t pay your credit card at the end of the month. The reason for this is because it will ruin your credit & the interest rate is over 17%.
9. Public Transit:
   • If you drive to work every day, and you live and work within walking distance to a metro station, it is cheaper to take public transit rather than driving.

Have fun saving money! Also, if you know of more easy ways to save money please share them below.