How to Save Money One Million Ways

I must admit that my last project which involved extensive research inspired me to write this article on a million ways to saving money. My studies were on the economy and our nations record of unemployment which has been hitting an all-time high. While I studied and documented for hours, I came to the conclusion that there are a lot of people who need ways to saving money. No, it didn’t take me long to deduce that people really need help; your neighbors, your coworkers, your friends, and your family.

I decided to use my past experience of being raised by parents who grew up in the depression and put it to good use. They really knew the art of saving money. They lived in desperate times called the "Great Depression" that is similar to our economy today.

I live in a state that ranks the second highest in unemployment. I am on a tight budget like many people. I haven’t been able to donate a lot of money to those who are in need, but I can donate ideas for free on saving money.

I hope that these suggestions on "a million ways to saving money for free" are helpful.

• Insulate your house.
• Use light bulbs that are 60 watt or dimmer.
• Don’t continually turn your lights off and on.
• Put on a sweater instead of turning on the heat.
• Buy double pane windows for even better savings.
• It takes more energy to turn a light on than to leave it on.
• Hang out your clothes on the clothesline instead of in the dryer.
• Recycle your cans and bottles many of them have a deposit.
• Limit you bathes. Bathes use up a lot of water and electricity.
• Turn down your hot water thermostat. Hot water uses up a lot of electricity.
• Refinance your home and take advantage of the low interest offers that are out there right now.
• Don’t stand in front of the refrigerator with the door wide open it wastes a lot of electricity. Know what you want beforehand.
• Fix leaky faucets. There is a lot of water that is wasted which increases your electric bill. Do it yourself for free.
• Don’t leave your front door wide open when you are loading things into the house. Again this wastes energy.
• Check the flue for your fireplace or wood stove. Make sure it is closed when not in use and check to see if it needs replaced.
• Replace insulation, there are some really good new products out there. The old insulation is not as efficient and cost effective. Your own instal is free.
• Put a towel on the floor in front of the front and back doors to block escaping heat or cooling. Better yet, make or buy a nice stopper that doesn’t look so tacky.
• Make sure that all windows have a good seal to prevent heat and cooling from escaping.
• Shut off your cable TV or at least downsize your TV profile to basic. Read, walk, do your hobbies, or start a new hobby.
• Turn your heat off or the temperature down at night and pull out the blankets. As well, turn the temperature down or off when you are not there.
• Don’t keep your water running when you are doing chores. E.g. brushing your teeth, washing your face, cleaning the sink. Use only what you need.
• Limit your hot showers; this is money going down the drain. Water cost and hot water uses a lot of electricity.

• Go to garage sales. I have found many bargains.
• Eat healthier and wiser, it will save on your medical bills.
• Be more aware of your bank balance. Late fees can add up.
• Trade in your car for one that is better on gas and more efficient.
• Get rid of the paper towels, paper plates, plastic forks and spoons.
• Stay away from video, book and music stores. Check out your local library it is free.
• Don’t let your car idle. Shut it off, save on gas. Instead of driving across the street to another store you want to go to, park the car and walk.
• Have your husband, wife, family member give you a massage instead of paying for one.
• Take your shoes off at the door, that way you track in less dirt and mud. You save money on vacuuming and you don’t have to clean the rug as often.
• Keep your car well maintained; change the oil when needed, check the spark plugs, check the air in your tires, etc. That way you get more miles out or your car, you save on gas, and you aren’t stranded somewhere and have to pay for a tow truck and mechanic.
• Recycle and save your paper and grocery bags and use them to line your garbage can instead of buying plastic bags.
• Sad to say, but a lot of companies are going out of business. Look for some great bargains.
• What jobs do you hire out for that you could do yourself? Pet grooming, mowing, pedicures?
• Stop playing the lottery in hopes that you will become rich. Your odds of winning big are extremely low.
• Cancel your membership at the spa and exercise club. You can exercise at home and give yourself your own facials for free.
• Start trading your services for other peoples services. Need a haircut? Do you know a hairdresser? What skills do you have that you can offer for exchange or for money?
• Shop around for different phone and/or Internet companies. You might find a bargain.
• Buy real diapers instead of plastic. You’ll feel better for improving the environment and your baby will be happier. Plastic diapers can hold in germs and cause rashes.
• Avoid using so many electric utensils when it can be done by hand. e.g. beating eggs with a fork instead of with a mixer; use a whisk instead of a mixer for packaged spices you add to sauces.
• Grow your own flowers instead of buying them. If you don’t have a green thumb, ask a gardener if you can exchange your services for a supply of flowers.

• Make sun tea.
• Make your own chili and soups.
• If you eat meat, go hunting or fishing.
• If you can’t live without beer or wine, learn how to make it.
• Raise your own meat (if you eat meat), like rabbits, chickens, etc.
• Plan your meals wisely. Use your leftovers, no sense of wasting food.
• Avoid vending machines, you pay a lot for what you get and they aren’t very healthy.
• Bake your dinner and desert at the same time, turn down the heat and save electricity.
• Check your neighborhood for people that let their fruit or nuts rot to the ground. I am sure they would be happy to have you clean up for free, they think it is a mess.
• Limit your junk food when shopping or eliminate them altogether; you’ll be healthier. E.g. ice cream, chips, soda, candy.
• Don’t overeat. It wastes food and money. Besides, your body cannot digest food that it doesn’t need. When you overeat the food just sits there and rots and turns to fat.
• Make homemade flour tortillas. It’s easy: flour, water, and a touch of salt. It’s a lot cheaper and they taste great fresh off the pan.
• Freeze overripe bananas with a little lemon so they don’t turn brown; your children or grandchildren will love them.
• Save the water that you cooked your vegetables in, it makes a great broth for a soup or sauce.
• Throw out the microwave! It encourages bad eating habits and buying expensive unhealthy packaged food.
• Can, freeze, and dry your own vegetables, spices, and herbs. There are markets and fruit/vegetable stands where you can usually buy produce for a fair price.
• Don’t buy bottles for your baby, breast feed instead, it’s healthier, it saves time, and it is so much cheaper than formula.
• Instead of going out with friends or family, invite them over for coffee or have a potluck and bring out the cards, take a hike, or have a picnic.
• Bake you own bread. It’s cheaper, it helps warm up the house, and there is nothing better than fresh bread out to the oven. No cheating by using a bread machine.
• See if you can find a handy little tool that fits on the end of your toothpaste container, what it does is squeezea the rest of the toothpaste that is stuck on the sides.
• When following the directions on a package or recipe, use less than what they recommend. For instance; use 2T of butter instead of 3T, or use milk instead of cream.

• Wash clothes by hand in the tub.
• Get your water from a nearby lake.
• Buy a wind up clock and throw away the electric one.
• Sweep your floors and only vacuum when you have to.
• Sell your home and by a motor home, look for free parking.
• Roll your own cigarettes and make your own beer and wine.
• Use a push mower instead of an electric or gas mower, its free.
• Use one of those old metal hand held irons to iron your clothes.
• Use cold water when you do your laundry. Hot water is expensive.
• Open your oven after you have been baking to help heat the house.
• Use newspaper instead of table clothes to save on the laundry bill.
• Do your own handiwork such as plumbing, electrical, car maintenance, etc.
• Shut down rooms that you don’t use, put blankets up to cover the doors and save on electricity.
• Heat your canned goods right in the can on top of the gas stove, wood stove, or by the fireplace.
• Sell your car, buy a bike. You won’t have the gas expense, car payments, insurance to pay, or be doing errands for others.
• Watch for sales on duct tape and use it to fix things. Duct tape your bike seat when it tears, the leg to a chair that broke off, your shoes etc.