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Start Small, Save Big
10 Things You Can Do Today to Save Money
By Gina Roberts-Grey
7. Ask for Savings
Doris Dobkins, CEO of Creative Finances in Lincoln, Calif., suggests consumers give the manufacturer of their favorite products feedback. "Tell them how much you enjoy their products and ask if they have any manufacturer promotions on other products they offer," Dobkins says. You can also check the Web sites of your favorite household products for offers of free samples and coupons that are only available online.
8. Light up Your Budget
If every household in the United States replaced just one bulb or fixture with an Energy Star qualified model, we would save more than eight billion kilowatts per hour, which is equivalent to removing one million cars from the road per year. This translates into an average savings of $20.50 per year per bulb. You can also let Mother Nature light your way for free and open up the shades and curtains on a bright day to provide light. During the winter months, the sun streaming in will also add an additional element of warmth to your room.
9. Sock It to Your Budget
Children are tough on clothes. They wear the knees out of jeans and the heels out of socks. Turn gently worn clothes into rags to clean the house with or keep in the basement to soak up spills.
10. Taxing Your Budget
County and city taxes can vary significantly depending on location. Purchasing a car for $20,000 in Cook County, Ill., can be $400 more expensive than purchasing the same automobile in nearby McHenry County. States such as New York and North Carolina offer their residents the chance to take a holiday from paying state sales tax at specific times during the year. Because there are certain limitations and restrictions, check with your local government to find out if your city, county or state offers this money-saving reward.