DIY Network

Easy Ways to Save Money Learn some easy ways to save money. From "Home Made Easy" episode DHME-108

Guest Matthew Heimer joins host Stephanie Lydecker and outlines the different ways people spend their money foolishly and how you can start saving right away.

advertisement

Guest Matthew Heimer shares some money saving tips with Stephanie and you!

Easy Ways to Save Money

• There are a number of ways to save money right away. See if you can get a better cell phone plan. Cell phone companies are always changing their plans and there might be offers available that you don't know about. See if your carrier's competitors are making any better offers and then ask if your carrier can match it. If you don't use your cell phone very often, you might want to consider getting a pre-paid phone.

• Look at how much your Internet cable provider is charging you and see if you can get a better deal from them..

• You can save money in postage by paying your bills online.

• Read your receipts carefully! People are overcharged for items every day. Pay attention to the check when it comes to the table at a restaurant.

• Limit your trips to the ATM machines. Banks charge between a dollar or two every time you use a machine and those fees add up. So make fewer trips and get more money each time.

• Turn off the lights to save electricity--saving electricity saves dollars.

• People are spending a lot of money buying bottled water every day. You could buy a filter instead and just use tap water.

• Eliminate the gourmet coffee every morning which can cost between $2-$4. Learn to make your own coffee.

• Cigarettes are another costly expense. Give the habit up or cut down.

• If you love to travel, consider traveling off season when the rates are lower.

• If you make purchases and then never use the item--return it and get your money back.

• Ignoring car maintenance is another example of putting money down the drain. Make sure you change your oil. Frequent oil changes are the single most important factor in extending the life of your engine and will pay for themselves in savings on repairs and engine wear.

• Shop around for car insurance. If you have a good driving record, you might be able to save elsewhere. You can also save fuel by combining your errands into one trip. Or, start a car pool which not only saves money, but is great for the environment.

• One of the most popular recent ways to save money yourself is the "dollar bills savings plan" where every morning, you don't carry anything smaller than a $5 bill. When you get change, don't spend the singles. At the end of the day, any dollar bills go into your cash stash. The lesson is that you can save a lot of money, dollar by dollar.

• If the dollar plan is too ambitious, start a change jar. When you empty your pockets at the end of the night or anytime you clean your purse, all the change goes into the jar. You should stop spending coins; if you put your change aside you could save $25-40 a month.

• Another clever way to save money, if you are trying to lose weight, every time you go without a dessert or candy bar in the daytime, put the cost of your forgone treat into your savings jar. You'll lose pounds and gain green!

GUESTS :

Matt Heimer
Senior Editor, Smart Money Magazine
Website: www.smartmoney.com