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Here are 101 areas where it’s easy to make cuts that will allow you to keep more of your money. Since this article is long, it’s broken it down into sections. Browse through the whole thing, or use the links below to jump to the sections that interest you most. (And if you like this article, please pass it along to others that might be interested.)

Transportation Food & Drink Entertainment

Health & Beauty Household Financial

Kids Pets

 

Transportation

(Photo: swskeptic, some rights reserved.)
Transportation in general - Carpool, walk, bike, and use public transportation whenever possible. Combine trips & errands. (You’ll save time this way as well.) Relying on public transportation or your own power also forces you to think about the trips more thoroughly — reducing or eliminating quick trips to the store because you’re bored or feeling impulsive. Fewer trips equals less money spent overall.

Buses/Trains - Save money on bus & train fares by seeing if your employer offers discounts. (They may even pay for your tickets in some areas.) Buy monthly or even annual passes if you ride frequently. Take advantage of free routes that some towns offer.

New cars - Don’t buy new cars in first place. Really, don’t! Buying a new car is like throwing 20% of your money out the window as you drive off the lot. Not to mention that new cars are often financed, and the insurance rates & tags are higher. Buy a used car instead. Get it detailed & spray in some new car scent if you want the same effect. (Although what makes your car smell new are mostly volatile organic compounds.) If you decide to buy a new car anyway, research the heck out of it first using sites like Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book. Call your insurance company before buying to make sure that it’s not a model that will cause your rates to skyrocket. Know your bottom line before going in, and exactly what you are and are not willing to compromise on. Set up competition between dealers. Be prepared to spend a lot of time at the chosen dealer and then walk out. (Leave your kids at home, bring a snack, and don’t buy a car on your first visit to the dealer.) If you are financing, get your financing first, elsewhere. Refuse to talk “payments”or trades — talk only the total price of the car, tax & fees included. Avoid extended warranties and other extras.

Used cars - First, there is nothing wrong with a used car. They’re great, in fact! And you can save tens of thousands of dollars by driving them instead of new cars. Many of the tips listed under the New Cars section apply to buying used cars from a dealer as well. The biggest difference when buying a used car is that you may get a better deal by going through a private party or auction. Just bring someone with you who is knowledgeable about cars, and have the car checked out by a trusted mechanic before purchasing. Also, it’s usually easier (or at least faster) to negotiate with individuals. If you’re buying at auction, you’ll likely need literal cash in hand to do the deal, and it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to thoroughly inspect the car (or even to turn it on). So be prepared for some additional expenses with those. Still, the deal you can get at an auction might make that worthwhile. For auctions, set a maximum price that you’ll pay and quit bidding the moment the auction goes over that price. There will be other cars. LOTS of other cars.

Car repairs - You might be able to do simple car repairs yourself. (Or even complicated ones — the kid down the street put a whole new engine in his car himself.) But if you’re not mechanically inclined, the best thing is to find a mechanic you can trust. Word of mouth is a great way to do that, or you can use sites like Angie’s List. Once you find a good mechanic, ask questions like “Does it need to be fixed right now?” and “What will happen if it’s not fixed right now?” when problems are discovered. A good mechanic will also do things like point out that your car is leaking oil from the whatsit, but that since it hasn’t lost a measurable amount in the last 6 months, it’s something that doesn’t need to be fixed. Of course, they’ll also fix your car at a fair price when it does need repair.

Car insurance - If you have a sufficient emergency fund, increasing your deductibles will save money on your premium. Shop around for car insurance every other year or so to be sure you are still getting the best rate — just make sure you’re comparing apples to apples when you compare. Ask for discounts. (Good driver discounts, student discounts, low mileage discounts, safety & theft-deterrent discounts, discounts for having other coverage with the same company, etc.) See if you qualify for USAA or Amica, as they often have good rates.

Car washes - Wash your car only as often as necessary to keep the paint in good shape. Depending on where you live and where your car is parked most of the time, this can be as little as twice a year. Remember that you can spot clean your car using a bucket & a sponge to remove bird droppings & tree sap. When you do wash your car, use a coin operated car wash and wash as quickly as possible. Vacuum it out yourself at home instead of paying extra to use the vacuum at the car wash.

Gas - Use sites like Gas Buddy to find the lowest gas prices in your immediate area or along the route you normally take to work or school. (Driving out of your way to save gas doesn’t usually result in real savings.) Fill up while you are out doing other errands already. Drive slower, and avoid accelerating dramatically. Coast part of the way toward red stoplights. Plan your errands and route to avoid stop-and-go traffic. Avoid regularly carrying around a bunch of heavy items with you. Keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Buy gas during the cooler parts of the day.

Oil changes - Consider switching to a synthetic oil. Synthetic oils can changed MUCH less frequently. They cost a little more upfront, but are cheaper in the end. If you’re handy, consider doing your oil changes yourself. It’s really not that hard.

Tires - Check out Edmunds’ tire buying strategies for a variety of ways to save money on tires. The biggest one is to know what you need and then compare, compare, compare while saying no to extras.

Car rentals - Renting cars & trucks can save money if it’s in lieu of buying those vehicles. For example, why keep an extra truck for hauling if you haul things infrequently? Spend $40-$100 a year on a rental instead. Be realistic about your needs. When renting cars for vacations, check with your credit card company, AAA, and your insurance to see if they offer discounts. Compare rates on the final prices. Consider waiving the CDL if you have other coverage. Also, sometimes it ends up cheaper to rent for more days than you really need due to strange pricing or specials.

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Food & Drink

(Photo: Mr Wabu, some rights reserved.)

Breakfasts - Breakfast is a meal that’s often skipped, which is too bad because it leaves you hungrier later, causing you to eat (and spend) more. You can save money by eating breakfast instead of hitting up the vending machine or stopping off for coffee & a snack. Kids tend to like expensive cereals and pastries for breakfast, which can be avoided as well. Keeping healthier breakfasts on hand instead (either in the cupboard or at your desk at work) can help. Examples include plain corn flakes, a loaf of bread for toasting, or the kind of oatmeal that comes in a rounded box. It doesn’t take any more work to scoop out a little oatmeal & mix it than it does to open up an individually wrapped packet of oatmeal & mix it. It’s just less expensive.

Lunches - Many people eat lunches out multiple times per week. Just putting an end to that can save big bucks over time. Bring your lunch with you instead — ideally leftovers from the night before. That reduces waste (food doesn’t sit in the fridge growing) and saves money. If you do eat out, choose lower-cost restaurants. Don’t pay for drinks — drink water instead, and look to see if there is a less expensive way of getting what you want. For example, you could pay $2-something for a single from Wendy’s, or 99 cents for a doublestack instead.

Dinners - You’ll save money by eating dinners at home instead of out. But WHAT you choose to eat and WHEN you choose to eat it can save you still more money. Plan your meals ahead of time (say, for a week) so that you can use the same ingredients in multiple meals. This doesn’t mean you need to eat the same thing all the time. It just means that you’ll be more creative. For example, if chicken is on sale, you could plan on chicken parmesan one day and salad topped with strips of chicken another. Shop in your cupboards as well, asking yourself what you could make using ingredients on hand.

Snacks - Bring your own, healthier snacks with you to work. Just be sure to keep them in a sealed container at your desk. Many people get up and eat because they want a break, but you could just as easily take a walk around the building or go get a drink from the water fountain instead. I limit my vending-machine spends by simply not bringing cash with me unless I intend it for that purpose.

Soda pop/flavored drinks - Drink tap water instead, and you’ll save a bundle. If you must drink soda pop or flavored drinks, try to limit them to special occasions or at home only. (Skip the $3.50 cokes when eating out.) Buy them in bulk and on sale. Bring a pack to work with you instead of buying from the vending machine.

Coffee - Kick the habit, or make your own & bring it with you. With luck you might even be able to convince your office to use a brand that people like, and get your fix at work. If you do buy your coffee at a coffee shop (Starbucks, anyone?) bring your own cup for a possible discount. You can also get Starbucks gift cards at a discount at Costco right now. (Approx. $80 for $100 in gift cards.) Nothing says you can’t use a gift card for yourself.

Processed foods - Eliminate as many processed foods from your diet as possible. Both your body and your bottom line will thank you. If you do buy processed foods, consider store brands. They are often made by national brands, but sold for a fraction of the price. Most stores offer a money-back guarantee on their brands, so you really have nothing to lose if you’re dissatisfied. Stock up when processed foods go on sale as well, since one advantage of processed foods is that they often have enough preservatives in them to last a long time.

Vegetables & Fruits - Buy in season for the best prices on fruits & vegetables. If you take up canning, you can have them year round at a low cost. Frozen fruits & vegetables are the next-cheapest, and generally taste fairly decent too, especially if you’ll be using them as ingredients in another dish.

Meats - Going “meatless” one or more nights a week will save money. Meatless can mean pasta, beans, cheese, & rice dishes, or even things like pancakes. (There’s no rule that you can only have pancakes for breakfast.) Buying marked-down meats in bulk and then cutting them up into smaller portions yourself is the easiest way to save. In some areas you can buy whole or halves of beef, pork, etc as well. Your freezer is your friend. Generally, the more work you have to do to prepare the meat for eating, the less expensive it will be.

Grocery shopping - To save money on grocery shopping in general, make a list ahead of time and stick to it. Have only one person go to the store — the person who is best at impulse control. Eat before you go. Reduce the number of trips you make to the store. One big shop per month, plus a weekly trip in where we do not get a cart for perishables works well for us. Shop the edges of the store and look on the lower shelves when you search for items. (Cheaper items are often on the bottom shelves.)

Cooking - You can save money during the cooking process itself by doing things like substituting water for milk and cornstarch or bananas for eggs. Reducing ingredients slightly saves money as well. (Put in a little less than a pound of meat instead of a whole pound, etc.) You can save time and energy as well by cooking in batches. Remember, the more you cook at home, the less you’re spending money eating out.

Gleaning & Sharing - If you live near a rural area, you may be able to glean vegetables with the permission of farmers after the harvest is done. You may also have friends or neighbors with more fruits and vegetables than they can handle. Around here, people set out sacks of free lemons or signs saying it’s ok to pick the citrus. Help yourself in those situations and both parties will be happy.

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Entertainment

(Photo: infomatique, some rights reserved.)

Eating out - Coupons abound for restaurants. Entertainment books or sites like restaurant.com are great ways to get discounts — just be sure to abide by any restrictions and to tip on the non-discounted meal price. If you frequent a restaurant regularly, ask if they have frequent meal programs or special offers. (Many restaurants will send you a free or discounted meal on your birthday or anniversary, for example.) Pay attention to WHAT you order while there as well. Drinking water, ordering appetizers as meals, or splitting entrees are good ways to both save money and help your waistline.

Clubbing - Limit the number of drinks you buy when clubbing, or be the designated driver. (Believe it or not, it can actually be FUN to watch people that have been drinking, and you don’t need alcohol to act silly yourself too.) Go early enough to clubs with restaurants, and you may not pay a cover charge. Choosing clubs with various specials & happy hours helps too.

Vacations - Vacationing at home, staying with relatives, renting apartments instead of hotels, and traveling in groups and camping are all great ways to save on vacation. Cooking your own meals is another biggie too, so be sure to get a room (if you don’t rent an apartment) with a kitchenette (or at least a microwave and mini-fridge). Traveling during off-peak seasons saves a bundle as well, plus you won’t be fighting with other tourists for space. Sites like airfare watchdog can point out bargain flights.

Internet services - If you’re not looking for the highest speeds, there are a number of free internet providers out there. You can also generally use the internet for free at your local library. If you prefer a paid service, be sure that you’re not paying for things that you don’t need or use. (Such as static ip addresses, high upload speeds, extra email accounts, etc.) Check around for local providers as well — they are more apt to be open to offering discounts. Remember that bundling is not always the cheapest route, especially if you don’t want the other services in the first place. You may qualify for naked DSL, which is DSL without a phone line required.

TV services - You can now watch many TV shows online for free on sites like CBS, NBC, Hulu, etc., so you may want to consider eliminating your cable or satellite altogether. But if you’d rather keep them, make it a habit to call up regularly and ask for discounts. Figure out exactly what you want first, and then ask what the cheapest way to get it is. (Just be sure you’re not getting a promotional offer that will quickly expire.)

Museums - Many museums have days where they are open to the public for free or for the price of “whatever you would like to donate”. Take advantage of those days, or consider volunteering as a docent to get to know your local museum at no cost. And some museums, such as the Smithsonian Museums, are always free.

Books - You don’t need to buy books if the library is your friend. And if they don’t have the book you want, they can get it for you through inter-library loan. I even have good luck getting newly published books almost immediately after they are out — I just add my name to the “hold request” list before the books are released. You could organize a book swap where you work too, designating a shelf or cupboard where people can bring in books to share. If you still want to buy books, used book stores and ebay are good alternatives.

Music - Lala is an excellent source for inexpensive DRM-free music. (Which means you can play the songs on any MP3 player or computer, not just on iPods.) Of course there’s always iTunes, used bookstores (which often have music), used music stores, ebay, and garage sales. The normal radio is free too, and there are internet stations and sites like Pandora and last.fm.

Shopping in general - The easiest way to save money on shopping is to stay out of the stores unless you actually need something. When you do need something, go directly to where the item is sold, buy it, and leave immediately. Canceling catalogs, tossing fliers directly into the recycling, and skipping over the ads in magazines helps as well. If you enjoy shopping for pleasure but don’t enjoy spending the money, go to the mall without your cash, checks & credit cards and window shop instead. If you find something you really want, ask yourself if you wanted it before you saw it. If you didn’t, chances are high that it’s just an impulse that will pass with a little time. Use the 24 hour rule (or longer) to see if you still even remember the item, let alone want it.

Hobbies - To save money on hobbies, don’t go hog-wild. Suppose you’re into photography — composition, lighting, and technique are much more important than the kind of camera you use. Especially when starting out in a hobby, don’t go for the whole shebang at first. Start out slowly and be sure that you’ll stick with the hobby over the long haul. Choosing a hobby that can also earn money can help defray expenses too.

Movies - If you’re a heavy movie watcher, companies like Netflix and Blockbuster online can save you lots of money if you’re willing to watch DVDs at home instead. Your local library also likely allows you to check out DVDs for the low low cost of free. To save money in the theaters, go during matinees and avoid the concession stand. You can also get discounted tickets from many employers and places like Costco. There are always dollar theaters too.

Parties - It’s tacky to invite people to a party and assign things for them to bring or charge a cover charge. But it’s NOT tacky to have a potluck, or to only serve snacks. Better to have the party you can actually afford, than to “host” a fancier one and expect others to pay for it. Remember that a “party” can be as simple as game night with chips & salsa. The point is to have fun with your friends and family.

Magazines - Magazine subscriptions can really add up, but they are cheaper than buying individual copies at the newsstand. Consider paring down your subscriptions to only those magazines that you actively look forward to and read regularly. Your library like has copies as well that you can read for free. Some libraries even let you check them out.

Newspapers - If you read the paper regularly, subscribe. If you only read it on the weekends, most papers offer weekend-only subscriptions. But if you only read it occasionally or only mean to read it regularly, don’t bother subscribing. Instead, buy individual copies when you actually have to time to read them, or read them online or at the library instead.

Concerts & Plays - Many areas have community-sponsored concerts and plays that are a great way to have a night out at no cost. You can also volunteer to usher at events like these and see the shows for free.

Cell phones - Do you really need your cell phone, or are you just used to it? Consider eliminating it entirely, or at least cutting back on your service. If you need to eliminate it temporarily, you may be able to ask your phone company to put it on an extended vacation hold. If you have multiple cells, you might or might not get a better rate using a family plan. Investigate & be creative.

Electronics - Electronics have a huge markup on them, sometimes 80% or more. Save money on them by avoiding the latest models. Why not buy last year’s stereo or TV on closeout instead of paying a premium for the newest model? Black Friday sales can be good for these too, if you know exactly what you want and where to go to have a shot at actually being able to buy one. No matter when you buy, ask for discounts. Places should be able to give you at LEAST 10% off without even blinking, and more with some negotiating. Consider open box models with full warranties, and ask for extras to be thrown in at no charge.

Thrift store finds - Shopping thrift stores can be a great way to save money, if you have a little patience. But thrift stores often have regular percent-off days that will allow you to save even more money. Around here, the Goodwill has 50% off every other weekend. Go on those weekends and save twice as much. Many thrift stores also give you coupons when you donate, so why not take advantage of those as well?

Gift giving - Reduce the list of people you give to, both locally and long-distance. With shipping costs as high as they are, cutting out long-distance gifts can save lots of money. If you still want to send a gift to your third-cousin once-removed in Tampa, consider something flat and inexpensive to mail, like a gift card or book. (Books can be shipped via media mail.) Set limits on gift exchanges. (Both on the number you will participate in and the dollar amount per exchange.) Reuse gift bags & bows. When it comes to gifts in general, don’t worry about making them “equal” money-wise to gifts given to others. Don’t give a set of knickknacks just to be spending a certain amount of money.

Alcohol - Alcohol can really pad the “grocery” budget, so if you are a regular drinker, consider making a separate line item for alcohol in your budget. Just seeing how much you’re spending in this area may cause you to cut back. Other options are to buy less-expensive brands, buy from discount/warehouse stores, and buy in bulk when it goes on sale. (For example, BevMo has a huge wine sale at least once a year.) Limit your drinks when you go out, and don’t order them habitually with meals.

Cigarettes - Obviously, quitting will save the most money, both now and in the future on health care, but you already know that. Cutting back is the next best option. Try cutting back a little at a time, say 5-10%, until you get used to the new level. Then cut back again & repeat. Buying cartons at discount/warehouse stores, or on Indian reservations can save money as well.

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Health & Beauty

(Photo: sh0dan, some rights reserved.)

Gym memberships - If you can exercise regularly without a gym membership OR if you don’t go to the gym despite having a membership, cancel your membership. Having it and not using it isn’t going to get you healthy, it’s just going to make you feel guilty. Save the money instead. If you DO use the gym regularly, see if you qualify for discounted rates. For example, many multi-club gyms have cheaper rates if you agree to only use one of the gyms. They just don’t mention that unless you ask.

Exercise - Exercising at home instead of at a gym can often be either free or very low cost. You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to exercise either — no treadmills acting as expensive clothes hangars in the basement necessary. Here are some inexpensive exercise ideas.

Dry cleaning - I’ve saved hundreds of dollars over the years by doing one simple thing: I refuse to buy things that say “dry clean only”. Not only does this save me money and time, it helps the environment too. If you do have clothes that require dry cleaning, remember that they don’t need to be dry cleaned each time you wear them. Get yourself a clothes brush to brush them out after wearing and hang them up to wear. Only get them cleaned when they really need it.

Clothing in general - Saving money on clothing in general can be accomplished a variety of ways. Wash them less, for one thing. Each time you wash your clothes they get a little damaged from the process. Hang them up carefully after wearing, and wash them only when they’re dirty to prolong their life. Buy timeless clothes that won’t go out of style. Shop at thrift stores and second-hand stores. You can get some great clothes (often brand new with the tags on) at those kinds of stores for a teeny tiny fraction of the retail price. Hand-me-downs and trading with friends and coworkers are another possibility. It can be fun.

Haircuts - Get your haircut at a beauty school and save a bundle. (Plus they’re usually extra concerned with getting it exactly the way you want it, and they have expert instructors to advise.) Getting your hair cut less frequently is another way to save. Add an extra week between haircuts and you’ll eliminate several cuts a year. If you or a family member have a simple cut, you can do it yourself at home for free.

Contacts - Places like Costco and 1-800-contacts offer significant savings on contacts.

Eyeglasses - You don’t have to buy your eyeglasses from your eye doctor. Sites like Zenni Optical can save you hundreds of dollars on each pair of eyeglasses. Just ask for your PD measurement and a copy of your prescription from your eye doctor, and order online. (Be sure to note the measurements of the frames compared to your face though, so that you can get a pair that fits well.)

Shampoo & Conditioner - You barely need any shampoo or conditioner to wash your hair. Don’t slather it on. Put a glob about the size of a nickel on your hand and use that amount instead. It’ll work just the same. (And you do NOT need to “lather, rinse, repeat”. Lather & rinse is just fine.)

Massages - Inexpensive massages are available from massage schools and places like Massage Envy. You can also learn to give massages yourself for just the cost of some oils.

Prescriptions - All prescription prices are not created equal. Especially if you have a recurring prescription, call around to different pharmacies to see what they charge. You can also take advantage of pharmacy coupons. And did you know that Costco offers prescriptions? Drug companies provide free drugs to those who qualify. Generics are another money-saving option, as is asking your doctor for samples if it’s unlikely you’ll be on a drug for a long time or if you’re not sure how effective the drug might be.

Flowers - Flowers from farmers markets, the grocery store, Costco, or even your own yard can be much cheaper than flowers from a florist. Spend a few minutes learning how to arrange flowers, pick up a vase at a thrift store or garage sale and you can have beautiful arrangements at very little cost.

Preventative care - Taking care of yourself will save you thousands over the long haul in doctor visits, medications, hospitalizations, lost time at work, and insurance premiums. Eat right, drink plenty of water, exercise, take your vitamins, get regular checkups, floss, get plenty of sleep, and don’t ignore things like persistent coughs or strange spots on your skin.

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Household

(Photo: pnwra, some rights reserved.)

Laundry detergent - Use less detergent per load — only enough detergent to actually get your clothes clean. And beware of using the laundry detergent cap as a guide. If you’re feeling inspired, you can also make your own low-cost laundry detergent.

Dryer sheets - Save on dryer sheets by using 1/2 or 1/3 of a sheet at a time instead of a whole one. They do the job just as well, and your supply of dryer sheets will last two to three times as long.

Dishwasher detergent - Once again, use less detergent per load — only enough detergent to actually get your dishes clean. My grandma had a washing machine installer tell her to use only a teaspoon per load. It works for her, but you’ll have to experiment to see what works for you.

Cleaning supplies - The only cleaning supplies we use in our house are now vinegar, baking soda, and Barkeeper’s friend. These products work wonders on our house, save big bucks, and are better for the environment.

Paper products - Many paper products can easily be replaced with cloth instead. (Cloth napkins, rags for paper towels, etc.) Paper products are expensive, so the savings really adds up. For the paper products you do buy, concentrate on using less of them. If you get fast food to go, you know that they bombard you with paper napkins. Save those to use instead of throwing them out.

Water bill - To reduce your water bill, fix leaks, install low-flow toilets, time your showers, etc. Go here and here for water saving tips.

Drinking water - Drink tap water. In most areas of the U.S. (and I imagine other developed nations) tap water is perfectly safe. Check with your water provider if you are unsure. If you don’t like the way it tastes, consider a filter (such as a Brita pitcher) to improve the taste.

Electricity - Some simple ways to save on electricity include turning off the lights, unplugging items that produce phantom loads (usually anything with a “brick” that plugs in), caulking or weatherstripping to seal leaks, adding insulation, switching to CFLs, etc. See the U.S. Department of Energy’s site for additional ideas.

Heating - In addition to caulking and weatherstripping, keep your house a little colder than normal and wear warmer clothes instead. Close up unused rooms, and open windows that the sun beats on to take advantage of passive heating. Plant trees that lose their leaves during the winter around the house so that the sun’s rays can reach your house.

Cooling - Caulking and weatherstripping are key to saving money on cooling too. Keep your house as warm as you can stand it, and wear cooler clothes. Keep the drapes closed during the day to keep out the sun’s rays. Consider adding shade screens or tint to the windows to help keep the sun out as well.

Property insurance - Shop around for property insurance just like you would car insurance. Be aware that you may get discounts for having multiple insurance types with one carrier. ASK the insurance company to suggest ways you can save money; they’ll go over a laundry list of things that can help (such as being close to a fire station, having smoke detectors in every room of the house, having sprinklers, burglar alarms, etc.) Keep your credit score high, as many insurance companies use the score in assigning rates. Consider increasing your deductible if you have an adequate emergency fund.

Mortgage - Having good credit is probably the easiest way to save money on a mortgage, because you’ll qualify for lower rates. Having a 20% down payment will allow you to avoid PMI (private mortgage insurance.) Making additional payments toward the principal can save you many thousands of dollars, especially if you are early in the mortgage term. Consider taking in a boarder if you have a spare room, and putting that money toward your mortgage payment.

Rent - Sometimes renting is a better deal than buying, especially if you won’t be in the area for long or are in an area with exorbitant housing prices. Save money on your rent by asking for discounts if you sign an extended lease or negotiating the monthly amount. (Negotiating seems to work better when renting from individuals.) Shop around too, as rents may vary greatly from place to place. Renting a room or guesthouse can be cheaper than renting an apartment. There’s always the roommate option as well.

Home improvements - Home improvements can be a lot of work, but if you’re willing to put in the effort and time, you can save many thousands of dollars by doing them yourself. For example, painting the exterior of a small single-story house might run you $1500-$1800 if you have someone else do it, but you can do it yourself for around $300. Try to enlist the help of someone who has done a similar project before for guidance. If you hire someone else to do the work, be sure they are a licensed contractor. Get multiple quotes, check references, and get a signed contract spelling out exactly what is to be done, when it will be completed by, and what it will cost.

Home repairs - Many home repairs (such as unclogging a sink or toilet, changing a lock, replacing a broken light fixture or fan, fixing a leaky faucet, putting a closet door back on its track, etc.) might seem intimidating if you’ve never done them but are really relatively simple. Learning to do them is as easy as doing a search on Google in most cases. And Ace really is the helpful hardware place — they’ve explained many home repairs to me. You don’t need to call out a handy man and pay hefty fees for things you can do yourself. When you run across something you can’t handle, use a site like Angie’s List to find a reputable repair person. Check with your area’s board of contractors to be sure the person you use is licensed & insured.

Furniture - Furniture often has a high markup, which means there’s plenty of room for negotiation. Don’t be afraid to ask for discounts, free delivery, or to ask stores to throw in other extras for free. Craigslist, your local paper, garage sales, and friends are often great places to get furniture for little or no cost. Keep in mind that you can always paint or recover furniture that’s a little bit past its prime if it has good bones.

Lawn care - When it comes to lawn care hire neighborhood kids and do it yourself to save the most money. Use natural pest control instead of chemicals where possible by planting plants that repel pests or are unattractive to them. Water less frequently to save money on your water bill, and water early in the morning so that less of the water you do use evaporates.

Landscaping - You can obtain plants, flowers, and other supplies for free from craigslist. For every person out there wanting to plant a rose bush, there’s likely someone out there wanting one removed. All it takes is a little work. Xeriscape by matching your landscaping to your climate and rainfall. Planting plants that grow naturally in your area will result in lower costs because you won’t need to add supplemental water & nutrients very often.

Stump removal - If you’ve ever had a tree removed, you know that stump grinding adds to the cost. You can remove the stump instead yourself, either by renting a stump grinder (if you have a large number of stumps to remove) or using some of these ideas. We burned about 13 stumps in our yard with no problem.

Scrap paper - Your post office provides you with an endless supply of scrap paper — the backs of envelopes. There’s basically no need to buy paper for quick notes, ever, if you use those.

Home phone - Do you need a home phone? How often do you use it, anyway? What about features like voice mail, 3-way calling, call waiting, and long distance? Eliminate as many features as possible if you decide to keep your home phone, and just go with basic service instead.

Gadgets - Saving money on household gadgets often comes to down to taking a pass on buying them in the first place. Yes, they are cool. No, you don’t need them and won’t use them. If you already have some unused gadgets (single cup coffee maker? Pannini maker?) sitting in the far reaches of your cupboards, put them on craigslist and pocket the cash instead.

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Financial

(Photo: emdot, some rights reserved.)

Stock trades - Zecco offers free trades (with certain restrictions) and low-cost trades otherwise. Sharebuilder is another low-cost option. Sites like these are good if you’re confident in your investment choices and don’t need the advice of a full-service broker or financial planner.

Paying bills - If your bank or credit union offers free online bill pay, consider taking advantage of it. You can also set up automatic payments individually through each place that you pay, or go onto individual sites and manually initiate electronic payments if your bank does not offer this service or your prefer not to use it. Either way, you’ll save money on postage.

Mailing packages - You know those little stores that specialize in mailing packages? They usually charge a surcharge. It IS expensive to mail out packages, but it’s not THAT expensive. Go directly to the source instead (post office, UPS, FedEx) and you’ll save money. Once you get there, start by asking what the cheapest way to send your package is. Sometimes allowing an extra day or two for your package to get there can result in big savings. (Which means, plan ahead so that you’re not stuck paying fees to overnight packages.)

Checks - If you still use checks, order them online instead of from your bank. Many bill paying services will send checks for you to people that don’t accept automatic payments, so you may not need to order checks at all.

Banking - All banks are NOT created equal, and neither are all bank accounts. You should be able to bank for free. If you’re being charged to have an account, for minimum balances, etc, shop around until you find a bank that does not charge you. It’s worth the little bit of time it will take you to do this and switch your accounts.

Safe deposit boxes - You may be able to get a free or discounted safe deposit box through your bank, depending on the type of account you have with them. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

Data backups - Regularly backing up your computer data can save you hundreds of dollars and hours of frustration. You see, it’s not just a matter of IF your hard drive goes bad, it’s a matter of WHEN it will go bad. I use Mozy for my most important backups and love it. Mozy gives you 2GB of free space, and is accessible from anywhere with internet access. For larger amounts of less frequently changing data, consider backing up on DVD or a removable hard drive and storing them offsite.

Taxes - The time to save on taxes is all year round. Consider meeting with a CPA or tax preparer during the off season to get suggestions on ways you can reduce your tax bill in general. Usually this means documenting the things you already do. (Noting mileage, noting hours spent on the computer doing business, keeping track of donations, getting receipts, putting money into tax-advantaged accounts, etc.) If you have a simple return or are confident in your tax-preparation skills, doing your taxes yourself (either on paper or with the help of a program like TurboTax and the IRS can save you money as well.

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Kids

(Photo: mikebaird, some rights reserved.)

Clothes - Resale stores and ebay are great places to buy inexpensive children’s clothes. Talk to friends and relatives with kids of various ages to arrange a hand-me-down type circle. Some children’s clothes get so little wear that they’re just like new, and you can get them for free this way. On the other hand, sometimes kids can be really hard on their clothes. In that case, consider joining Sears’ KidVantage® Club, which replaces kids clothing & shoes for free if they wear out before your child outgrows them.

Toys - Kids generally have more toys than they know what to do with, and after awhile they become just so much clutter. To avoid buying still more toys, begin putting away some of their toys temporarily. The remaining toys will be more appealing since they will stand out more, and you can rotate them for the ones you put back at regular intervals. That way they’ll always have something “new” without the extra expenses. Garage sales are good places to find used toys as well. (Just be sure that they are not on a recall list.)

Shots - Many counties offer shots for children at discounted rates (or even for free). Contact your county health department to see if they offer this service.

Sports exams - Most schools offer days where students can come in for discounted sports physicals. Take advantage of those days to save, unless your standard copay ends up being cheaper.

Birthday parties - Put limits on birthday parties. Children under about 4 don’t usually remember them anyway, at all. So pass on the clowns, giant inflatable bouncy rides, and ponies. A cupcake to smash and time with family does just fine. As your kids get older, limit the number of kids who attend their parties. Kids are perfectly happy with sleepovers spent with pizza, movies, and games. Skip the gift bags and goodies. You can also make the parties more infrequent — not everyone has a birthday party every year — in fact many people don’t.

Lessons & Activities - Limit your child’s participation to one activity per season. Kids don’t have to be involved in everything. In fact some down time is a good thing. If your child decides they want to play the clarinet, pick one up at a garage sale for $20, see if the school has instruments available, or get one from a music store that will credit all rental payments toward a purchase if you decide to buy in the future. There’s no point in going out and spending hundreds of dollars on an instrument that your child may decide they hate. This is one case where try it before you buy it can really pay off.

Avoiding ER visits - No one likes a visit to the ER. There’s the long wait, the high costs, plus the pain of whatever brought them there in the first place. If your child is accident prone, consider developing relationships with doctors instead. For example, if your child breaks bones frequently, you can call up their bone doctor and go directly to them instead of spending painful hours in the ER waiting room. Regular doctors can put in stitches just as well as an ER doctor too. Consider urgent care places instead of emergency rooms for issues that are not actual emergencies.

Spending money/Allowances - It seems like kids are constantly in need of spending money. There are movies, snacks, events, birthday parties, lunch money, random things while you’re out shopping together, and more. A way to save on this is to give each child a set amount each month that needs to cover all of these things. Basically, teach your kids to budget by allowing them to be in charge of how an appropriate amount of money is spent each month. And when it’s gone, it’s gone. (Teach them to avoid borrowing money too.) You’ll be amazed to discover that you actually spend less using this method.

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Pets

(Photo: bluntmoney, all rights reserved.)

Boarding Alternatives - The price of boarding can be extremely expensive, especially if you have multiple pets. An alternative to boarding is to have a pet sitter stay at your home. Ideally this should be someone that already knows your pets and feels comfortable with them. Paying a trusted and responsible teenager (they are out there!) can be a win-win situation. They make a little cash, you save a lot.

Grooming - Learning to groom your pets yourself can save a bundle in fees & gas. All you need are to buy the supplies upfront. Grooming is a bonding experience for your pet as well, so it can result in a happier pet.

Nail trims - Why pay $7-$10 to have your pet’s nails trimmed when you can do it yourself for the one-time cost of a $10 clipper? This is especially easy if your pet’s nails are clear, so that you can see where the quick is. With practice it’s just as easy on dark-colored nails too. Start by handling your pet’s feet regularly in the same way you would if you were actually going to trim their nails. Then move on to handling their feet plus making the clipping sound with the clipper. Once they are used to that, actually begin trimming. Be matter of fact and relaxed about it, and they will pick up on your feelings and relax as well.

Vet bills - Unexpected vet bills can be a budget killer. To avoid them, feed your pet healthy foods and monitor their health regularly. The sooner you notice a change in behavior that could be health-related, the less expensive the associated vet bills are likely to be. Also be sure to check around on prices and services offered, as they can vary greatly from vet to vet. If you have a breed that’s known for having regular health problems, consider getting pet insurance.

Shots - Many times the local animal control will offer shots (rabies, parvo, etc) at a greatly reduced rates. Just be sure to hang on to the proof of vaccination they’ll give you.

Kitty litter - You can save money on kitty litter by changing it only as often as is necessary for your cat. Scoop daily, and your cat will be happier longer. Generally speaking people change the litter much more frequently than is necessary — when it starts to smell. But the cat is still fine with it. Keep a bag of used coffee grounds near the litter box to absorb odors, and your nose & wallet will be happier.

Choosing appropriate pets - This is probably the best way to save money on pets: choosing appropriate ones in the first place. Avoid buying from backyard breeders or pet stores that are supplied by puppy mills. Those pets are expensive both up-front and long-term because over breeding often results in poor health or even death. For the best chance at good health, buy your pet from a reputable breeder if it is a purebred. Mutts & cats from shelters are frequently very healthy as well, and the purchase price is low-cost. Don’t just stop with where you get your pets though; research the breed and type of pet as well. Floppy-eared dogs, for example, are prone to frequent and costly earn infections. Wrinkly-skinned dogs often have skin infections. Teacup breeds can be prone to broken bones. Learn about the pros & cons of the pet you’re interested in, and weigh the potentially associated costs.

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