8 Easy Ways to Save Some Serious Cash

Note today’s Post is by: Heather Johnson

In these tough economic times, being able to save some extra cash can really go a long way. There’s no perfect way to save extra cash, and everyone will have their own ideas and opinions on the best avenues to pursue. However, I’ve come up with 10 solid tips that can help you have additional money in your pocket.

1. Drive Less – Gas has been rising steadily recently. Many experts predict that prices will hit over $4.00 a gallon this summer. Keeping that in mind, gas will suck down many people’s budgets. A very good way to save money is to simply drive less. This can be achieved through car-pooling, public transportation, and simply being more efficient with fuel. The best way to be more efficient with fuel is to avoid extra trips by getting things like shopping done on the way home from work, or while you’re running other errands. Also, staying under the speed limit can also help. Going 75 Miles-Per-Hour burns much more gas than going 55.

2. Eat Cheaply – Eating cheaply doesn’t mean one has to eat badly. There are a lot of ways to save some serious money by cooking meals, and going grocery shopping with saving money as a focus. One problem many people have is that in their hectic lives, they can’t find the time to cook, and end up going out to eat more often than not. Not only does going to restaurants cost significantly more for the food itself, but you also are using gas to go to the restaurant. Looking for cheaper ways to make good meals is also helpful. For example, one of the cheapest things to make is pasta. I’ve found that making pasta with a variety of sauces, and maybe even some inexpensive chicken is a great, cheap meal.

3. Pay Credit Card Bills In Full – One of the biggest mistakes people make is racking up huge credit card debt, and only making the minimum monthly payments. If you are trying to save money, this is ultimately a bad idea because the rates will eventually catch up to you. The best move is to pay the credit card off in full, and then continue to do so in coming months. Paying only minimum payments is not a good way to save money in the long run, because the benefits are only short-term. Credit card companies want you to carry a balance on your credit card; don’t give them what they want!

4. Turn Off The Lights, TV, Etc – Did your dad ever constantly bug you to turn off the lights when you left the house? I know my father did. Turns out that parents complaining about leaving lights on actually have a point. The amount of money that can be saved by simply closing windows and doors, turning off lights and other electronic appliances, and simply watching electricity usage can really ad up.

5. Utilize rewards for shopping. Many supermarkets offer cards that give discounts and rewards for shopping. Use them! The best example I can think of is Giant Eagle. Giant Eagle allows customers to get rewards in the form of free gas. Using something like that can save anyone a lot of money. If your favorite store has a discount card, you should most certainly be using it.

6. Go Thrifting – You may be thinking that I am crazy by now, but trust me; going to the thrift store occasionally can really uncover some huge gems. If you find a really nice pair of pants, and you need pants, then you are saving money that otherwise would have been spent on getting brand-new ones. Logically, this could happen for a variety of things, and could most certainly add up to extra cash in your wallet.

7. Always Pay Bills On-Time – This is a no brainier, but if you pay bills on time, you won’t have to worry about pesky late fees. Just as with credit cards, letting bills accumulate is never a good idea. If you are diligent and make sure to always pay your bills before they are due, you won’t have to pay extra charges.

8. When Paying Loans, Pay Extra When You Can – If you have any sort of loan, or mortgage, and you are able to, you should pay more than the minimum requirement. Knocking off as much of the balance as possible helps lower accumulated interest, which will save you money in the long run. Also, it is better to shoot for being able to pay more than what is required, than simply aiming for the minimum. Just like many things in life, overachieving is better than underachieving.

So those are 8 simple tips to help you save some extra money. Remember, no plan is bulletproof, and these tips won’t keep those bills from coming. However, you may just notice that you have some extra cash once you follow these tips on a weekly basis. The important thing is to stay diligent when it comes to finances. When people get lazy, then the bills can really start piling up, and money can become much, much harder to come by.

Guest Post By: Heather Johnson is a freelance business, finance and economics writer, as well as a regular contributor at Business Credit Cards, a site for best business credit cards and best business credit cards offers. Heather welcomes comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address  heatherjohnson2323@gmail.com.