MORE PENNY PINCHING TIPS

Whether you are pinching pennies by choice or by necessity, here are a lot of tips for saving money when money is very tight. Or on the other hand to save for that new item you just can’t do without.

MANAGING YOUR MONEY TIPS

• Find a bank where you don't have to pay account fees.

• If you must use your credit card, keep a running total of everything you've charged during the month. Subtract each purchase from your misc. money in your budget. That way you will always know if you are on budget or charging more than you can pay off when the bill comes.

• If you can't afford a 15 year mortgage, try and at least pay a little extra to the principal each month. Extra principal paid at the beginning of a mortgage will save thousands of dollars in interest as well as knock several years off the loan.

• If you are shopping for a mortgage, or refinancing your home, look for the lowest rate with the smallest amount of points and closing costs.

HOUSEHOLD TIPS

• I know they say not to do it, but I've been known to empty my vacuum bags and reuse them.

• Re-route your washing machine hoses so that your water drains outside for use in watering your landscaping.

• Never dry clothes completely in the dryer. Take them out while they are still damp and let them hang dry. With 100 percent cotton, don't put them in the dryer. Hang dry and they will have less wrinkles.

• Install a Furnace temperature regulator, and turn the heat down 10 degrees while you are sleeping.

• Turn your Water Heater down to 120 Degrees. If you know when you
will be using your hot water (showers, dishes, laundry, etc.) put an appliance timer on your hot water heater.

• Check the lighting in your home. Lower the wattage when possible.

• To keep your drains running smoothly- in addition to any chemicals you might put into them, fill up the basin with hot water periodically, and then let it run down all at once. The pressure from all the water will help clear the drain.

KITCHEN TIPS

• Never throw away a plastic tray. Use them to store leftovers in the freezer, gift giving, and to carry food to social events.

• Save small plastic containers for children's drinks. Glass breaks and can be dangerous.

• Eat less meat. Not only is it less expensive, it is healthier.

SHOPPING TIPS

• Always do your grocery shopping alone. Keep the husband and kids home. You will spend less money.

• Don't trust the scanners at check-out counters. They make mistakes.

• When possible, know the price of what you are buying, and watch it scan.

• Many stores have the policy to match their competitor's prices. If you see something in the newspaper that you want, but don't want to travel to that particular store to get it, cut out the advertisement and take it to your local store.

• Shop the thrift stores with regularity. Know which ones have the best prices. Be on the lookout for candles (for emergencies), dishes, wallpaper remnants (for wrapping paper), patterns, yarn, sewing supplies, wool pants for winter outings, classic clothing, and other versatile items.

• When buying a non food item, always look in the back to see if you can find the identical item marked at a lower price. Often when prices increase, it doesn't apply to the items already marked.

• When buying food, look for the expiration date and buy the newest item.

• If you must buy name brands- consider setting up an extensive filing system for coupons and rebates.

Organize cardboard boxes and save not only the UPC code, but the rest of the packaging. You never know what part of the packaging they are going to ask for. Be sure and not create a fire hazard.

• Car tips. When you buy a car, pick one that combines low price, low gas mileage, lower insurance premiums, and low maintenance and repair costs. You will save thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the car.
If you are buying from a dealer, check out a half dozen of them, and be sure and let them know you are looking around. When you leave the first time, they won't expect you to come back. When you do come back, they will think they have a sale. They will not offer you the best deal until you start to walk away again.

• When you need new tires for your car, try and find some that are marked as blemished. They are considerably cheaper. They are just as safe as new ones, and usually carry the same warranty.

• Pump your own gas. Use the lowest octane your car manual recommends.

• Keep your engine tuned and your tires inflated for the best mileage.

• Find a good mechanic for your car before you are in a crisis situation. Find someone who you can trust. Take a recommendation from a friend and see how long they have been in business in your community. Check their certification, and ask how they will communicate with you about repair costs and options.

• When it comes to your auto insurance, shop around. Call the State Insurance Department for a list of comparison prices charged by different companies.

• Keep your deductibles as high as you feel comfortable with. If you have an old car, you may not want Collision coverage- just Liability.

• Be sure and take advantage of Homeowner Insurance Discounts for alarm systems, fire extinguishers, non-smokers, good driving records, good grades for students, and carrying multi-line insurance with the same company.

SEWING TIPS

• Use leftover candle stumps as pincushions. Needles slide into fabric smoother.

• When your child's pullover sweaters becomes too tight to wear, turn them into a cardigan by cutting them straight down the front and binding the front edges with an attractive trim.

• Keep your fabric remnants. Even if you can't think of a use for them now, new projects will come along. You may end up using them in a quilting project or perhaps making a doll. They may become a collar or a piece of bias trim.

• Use leftover denim from cutoff jeans to make garden gloves. Simply trace around your fingers for the pattern.

BEAUTY TIPS

• Take advantage of Beauty Schools. They are always looking for people to practice on. They usually do a good job, as they are watched carefully by their supervisors.

• Save money on make-up by letting your cosmetics do double-duty. Mascara can be used to line eyes with a small eyeliner brush. Depending on your coloring, it may also be used to line your eyebrows. Or use earth tone eye shadow. Lipstick can be used as blush.

• A tube of lipstick should last for 6 months. Buy it where you can take it back if you don't like the color.

• Use baby powder underneath your make-up if your skin is greasy.

• Make your own facial powder by combining mashed inexpensive compact powder with twice as much baby powder.

• Remember to discard your makeup every 6 months for safety reasons. It is hard to do, but easier if you don't have as much of it.

• Don't waste your money on expensive facial creams. Many a woman gets by with a plain jar of cold cream.

• If you wear contact lenses, shop around. The prices differ dramatically for the same lenses. Check out mail order companies. Consider wearing glasses. They are cheaper.

DECORATING TIPS

• Old fashioned Doilies in good condition make great artwork, frame them on a colorful mat board, and hang them on your wall.

• Surround yourself with the things you love. Things that have sentimental value are of far more worth than any art objects.

• Anything looks good in a frame and mat board. Display your children's art work.

• Make collections of rocks, shells and other things you can collect together or on trips.

• When you buy your furniture, try to buy items that can be used in several rooms. Certain tables, chairs, lamps, etc. will never be wasted if you can move them around.

• Eclectic tips. Things like plates don't have to match. Put interesting colors and textures together, and enjoy the variety.

TRAVELING TIPS

• Purchase your tickets in advance, and always come home on a Sunday.

• Watch out for airfare wars and be flexible in order to take advantage of them.

• If you use a travel agent, always double check the rate. Call the airlines and ask them what the lowest fare is to your destination.

• Do not let your undeveloped film go through the new x-ray machines. It will ruin it.

• Compare the cost of traveling by air with renting an RV. The money you save on motels and meals may make it worth renting an RV if you have the time.

• If you have the time, also check the cost of traveling by train.

• If you need to rent a car at your destination, call around. There is a big difference in rates with different companies.

• Avoid buying duplicate insurance coverage for your rental car. Check your personal auto insurance policy before you leave home, or call your agent to see what is covered. You may also have some benefits from a credit card.

TIPS,TIPS,TIPS AND MORE TIPS

• Buy Term Life Insurance. It's just as much protection, but cheaper.

• Never buy your checks from your bank. Their prices are outrageous. Purchase them through the mail. Take advantage of first time customer prices from several companies.

• Avoid using calling cards. Check the rate. It can be MUCH higher. If you must use these cards, hang up and return the call immediately.

• Both Long Distance Carriers and Credit Cards will usually lower their rates if you tell them you are leaving.

• Avoid buying stamps. Use automatic withdrawal from your checking account; pay the bill at the drop-off centers for local bills if convenient.

• Send your mail to friends and family by e-mail.

• Buy your prescription drugs through a discount mail order company.

• Ask your doctor and/or pharmacist if there is a generic brand for your medication.

ENERGY SAVING TIPS

• Lower your thermostat temperature a couple of degrees and wear sweaters around your house. For every degree you lower your thermostat, you save 2-3 percent on your energy bill.

• When you use your dishwasher, stop it before the drying cycle and open the door to air dry your dishes.

• Make sure all your appliances are running smoothly by cleaning the filters regularly.

• Unless you are baking, put your food in your oven when you first turn it on.

• Close your drapes at night to help cold air from getting in.

• Open your drapes wide when the sun is shining to warm your room.

• Keep your windows shut as tight as possible. Locking them will make them seal tighter.

• Close doors to rooms that don't need to be heated, like closets, storage rooms, etc. Close the heating vent in unused rooms.

• Turn your lights off when you leave a room. It is cheaper to turn them on and off than leave them on, and the bulbs last longer.

• Use the lowest wattage possible and still have adequate light.

WATER SAVING TIPS

• Take showers instead of baths. You will save money on your water bill as well as your energy bill.

• Use less hot water. Washing your hands can use 2 gallons of hot water a week.

• Get in and out of the shower quickly. A five minute shower takes about 20 gallons. Or as the old joke goes, "save money, shower with a friend".

• Always run your dishwasher with a full load. The dishwasher uses around 12 gallons each load.

• Run full loads in the washing machine, and use cold water when possible.

• Stop water leaks immediately. A sink dripping one drop of water per second wastes 60 gallons of water if you let it go a week.

BBOOK TIPS

I know many of you like to read; I know I do. I read many different types of books from romance to murder mysteries. It can sometimes be hard to find the books you are looking for. I borrow from friends and check out books at the library. I scour thrift shops for books. Sometimes I find just the book I am looking for and sometimes I don’t. But I keep looking for books. 

I ran across this article in my local newspaper and found it very interesting. Maybe you will want to check it out and possibly make it work for you. It may not be your cup of tea, but then again, who knows? 

I am going to type it verbatim, just to make sure I don’t make any mistakes or leave anything important out. 

Book Swap Made Easy 

Some books are worth keeping on your shelf forever. Others, not so much. So when a friend told me about the on-line book-swap site, Bookins.com; I was intrigued. 

It is a more targeted way to barter than Craigslist (where it wouldn’t be odd to find a “my books for your hamster” posting). It is much simpler than Amazon Marketplace (which has sellers running to the post office every time they get a “sold, ship now” e-mail); and the books are free. 

Here is how it works: You get 15 points for just signing up. Then more points for every book posted that someone else wants to grab. Points are assigned according to a book’s age and original cost. An old Danielle Steel book might be 3 points, but The DaVinci Code audiobook on 13 CDs is 27 points. 

Bookins is not the only swap site out there (others are ReadersUnited.com and PaperBackSwap.com); but I like Bookins because the only cost is for the book’s recipient is a flat $3.99 for postage and delivery confirmation. The shipper can print out a mailing label at home. It is more postage than you need for sending most books, but is sure beats standing in line at the post office.

Got any tips to add? Go to Ask Grandma and send them in.