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We've talked extensively about way to immediately start saving money — providing 20 tips on how to begin your savings journey.
But what about those of us who are trying to trim down our budget and cut costs? There's hidden cash in your budget — you just have to know where to find it.
- Re-evaluate Your Cable Plan
Do you really watch all 800 channels you get with your cable subscription? If you don't, consider changing your cable package to a cheaper, less bloated option. - Lower Your Cell Phone Minutes
So many cell phone plans come from free in-network calling, and if you're like me, you have a lot of unused minutes because most of your calls are in network. Downgrade your plan today. - Adjust Your Tax Withholding
If you received a big tax return this year, adjust your withholding today. It's your salary — take it back from the government. - Change Your Movie Watching Habits
Everyone knows it's expensive to go to the movies. With tickets at $10 a piece and food nearly as expensive, going to the theater can break an entertainment budget. Instead, try renting movies — either from the library or from one of my favorite new discoveries, Redbox. It's a DVD vending machine that costs $1/day for a rental. If there's one near you — we have one at the supermarket around the corner — it's a cheap and convenient movie option. - Switch to VoIP
Don't worry — VoIP doesn't mean you need to be on your computer to make phone calls. It means that you're leveraging the pipes of the Internet to make cheaper phone calls, both local and long distance. Vonage is currently offering a prepay for a year and save deal. - Unplug Electronics You're Not Using
Just because something isn't turned on doesn't mean it isn't using electricity. Unplug the gadgets, lamps and clocks you're not using to save a few bucks on your electric bill. - Lower Your Internet Speed, Or Try To
Many Internet service providers offer different levels of service. Unless you're my old college roommate who downloaded lots of … video … you probably aren't using every bit of speed they give you. And if your ISP doesn't offer different rate plans, tell the customer service rep that the local competitor does and ask what kind of break they can give you. It does work. - Buy Generic Brands
Do you really think Claritin is any better than Walitin, the Walgreens brand? Are the fancy hot dog buns really any better than the supermarket brand? Doubtful. Get the same goods, but at a much cheaper price. - Open Your Windows
If it's hot in your house, let a breeze in — don't turn up the air conditioning. It's an obvious way to cut down on electricity bills and a way to freshen up your house. - Make Your Own Coffee
One coffee maker, $20. One bag of filters, $4. One can of coffee, $5. Total days of coffee, 20. Starbucks for 20 days, $80. You do the math.
Where are you finding the hidden cash in your budget?
Great article. I like it your ideas on saving money.
Great Tips. I use VOIP and will be switching my cell phone plan to pre-paid when my current contract is up. I use Yahoo VOIP which is $30/year and costs $.01 for outgoing calls - incoming and computer-to-computer are free. It's not quite as convenient as Vonage as I have to have my computer on to receive calls, but since my computer is pretty much on if I'm awake it's not a problem.
Thanks for the article. It's a Post of the Day
The question is, will you pay a big charge for downgrading your cell phone plan?
That's a great point KMull — make sure you check into any fees before downgrading your plan, and weigh it against the monthly savings.
[...] The Carnival of Personal Finance #104: Minimalist Edition is up at Getting Green. You can find many great articles on personal finance. My article, Rich Dad gives lousy advice, is listed under the Family & Money section. Thanks, Getting Green! Here are a few articles I found particularly interesting: Love & Marriage: Show Your Spouse the Money! @ WereInDebt: My spouse has no interest in our finances, so this article was of particular interest to me. 10 Ways to Find Hidden Cash in Your Budget @ Online Savings Blog: Saving money is always interesting to me, and this articles provides some useful tips you might not think of. My New Money-Savings (and Fat-Busting) Game @ About the Sun: Having tried this money-saving, fat-burning game myself recently, I had to make a special note of this article. Could Your Family Live on One Income @ My Two Dollars: As a family that lives on one income, we understand the sacrifices we have to make. And yes, I watch the two-income families in my neighborhood having their lawn mowed, dry cleaning delivered and house remodeled. For us, it's worth the sacrifice. [...]
Aside from re-evaluating mobile minutes, you can check, too if you're being charged for some spam text messages that the network or mobile service is sending to your phone.
[...] Budgeting & Saving Money:5 Budgeting Blunders @ Grad Money Matters10 Ways To Find Hidden Cash In Your Budget @ Online Savings Blog13 Energy Saving Tips @ MoneyNingAnother Bill? Don’t Panic @ Mom’s FinanceExpense Tracking with Queercents Free Expense Tracker @ Queer CentsHow to Get Free & Discounted Movie Tickets @ Saving AdviceMy New Money-Saving (and Fat-Burning) Game @ Around The SunRent Vs. Own: Movies @ Cash Money LifeSave Money On Your Wedding By Focusing On the Big Picture @ Happy RockWhat to do with one big paycheck? @ Debt Free [...]
[...] 10 Ways to Find Hidden Cash in Your Budget [...]
[...] Online Savings Blog: 10 Ways to Find Hidden Cash in Your Budget. These are 10 little things anyone can do to trim a little fat from the budget and add to your savings! [...]
[...] Ten Ways To Find Hidden Cash In Your Budget @ Online Savings Blog: Some great ideas to cut back on your monthly expenses. [...]
"Change Your Movie Watching Habits"
you really have a point.
I just love not only the great tips here for saving money, but the good frugal head behind them. I guess that good frugal head is a thread among us here who take the time to find articles like this and comment on it. My contribution here is a little free online personal budgeting utility that a friend told me about recently. I used it for over three months now and it is too good to be free.
Happy budgeting.