If you could break it down for a newbie....what would your top 10 money saving household tips be???

- wash clothes in cold water
- line dry clothes( inside house and outside).
-in winter turn down heat and wear a sweater and slippers
-make a grocery list and stick to it( no name stuff is good too).
- vinegar, baking soda and lemons clean so much more and better then chemical stuff on the market.
-walk more, drive less
-movies and books from the library are free on loan
- write more letters and call less
-toy share with a neighbour so toys are fresh( rotate toys they are tired of).
- read mommysavers everyday for others tips too.

How to save money ...

1) Don't spend money.

I know this always seems like a flippant answer but, seriously, it is easier to save money if you are loathe to spend it. We tend to throw money at our problems in this society. If we could simply get into the habit of finding solutions without spending money, we would end up with much more money in savings. Sometimes all that is required is to be a little patient. Creativity helps, too.

2) Pay yourself first.

This is a tried and TRUE axiom. If we set aside the money for savings first, we some how manage to live on what is left.

3) Save money even if you have debts to pay off or not earning much.

Be in the habit of saving money no matter what! It doesn't matter if you're pulling in very little money or deep in debt. Set a little money aside on a regular basis.

4) Hang onto the money you have saved.

I wish I had learned this lesson sooner! I used to be so good at setting aside more than 10% of my gross income. Do I still have those savings? Of course not! I always found a way to spend my savings. It really isn't 'saving' if you only end up spending it later. Save money with the purpose of never touching the principal again. You can eventually live on the interest.

5) Know where you money is going.

Every now and then track where every penny is spent. Being aware of how you're spending your money helps to see where you could spend less and plug the holes where your money is shifting through your fingers.

EVERY savings tip ever invented comes from one of the five 'rules' above.

Specific tips...

6) Reduce the non-grocery items.

Many people try to save on their food budget first. However, we tend to waste most of our money on non-grocery items at the grocery store. Cut back on cleaning products and disposables (paper / plastic) first. Something as simple as using cloth napkins instead of paper napkins or re-usable containers instead of plastic baggie can make a huge difference.

7) Create a price book to get the best deals on food products.

Buy your groceries at the lowest price you can. Stock up when the price is low and you'll never be stuck paying a premium price for basics.

8) Don't assume fixed expenses are 'fixed'.

Many people don't address the biggest fixed expenses because they assume there is nothing they can do about those costs. However, earlier this year we re-financed our house to combine our first mortgage and equity line (did some remodelling). Our payment was reduced and the term of our loan until pay-off remained the same. It was a great deal! Look also to your taxes. It is silly to get a huge refund at the end of the year when you really could use the money during the year. Take advantage of every tax deduction out there. Don't give the government more money than they are due. Also review your insurance coverages annually or, at least, every few years. Just because your auto insurance was a good deal 5 years ago, that doesn't mean another company hasn't come up with more competitive rates. Look at medical and dental bills, too, as well as the cost of your insurance coverage. Are there any prescription medications you can reduce or stop taking? Will lifestyle changes improve your medical condition so you can have fewer doctor appointments?

9) Spend money where it counts.

Ever sprinkle a generic parmesan cheese on your spaghetti and think, "It tastes like chalk!" A small investment in a tiny amount of imported parmesan would bring so much more flavor enjoyment. It would make the calories worthwhile! When the difference is noticeable, and the quality is worth it, spend the money. You'll end up spending less in the long run. This is especially true of spending to purchase things to 'make due'. All too often we buy a cheap version first then realize that isn't going to do the job and end up having to by the quality product we should have purchased in the first place. We end up having to throw away or declutter the cheap product and we have spent way more money than we should have in the long run.

10) Acquire skills.

We save money most when we know how to do something ourselves. Change your own oil? Fix the vacuum cleaner? Stop the water leak? Replace a blown fuse? Paint? Mow? Cook? It is amazing how much we end up paying other people to do for us when we could just as easily do for ourselves.

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

1. Make your own cleaning ingredients. Buy the basics: vinegar, bleach, and ammonia and go from there.
2. Hang clothes up to dry either on the shower rod or outside.
3. Get to know your library (free movies, books, magazines, music, internet, story time and craft activities)
4. Combine errands
5. Walk or ride your bike when every possible.
6. Buy as much as you can generic.
7. Don't buy convenience foods. Make it from scratch.
8. Buy things when they are on sale and stock up a pantry.
9. Buy clothes from clearance racks, garage sales, consignment and thrift stores.
10. Look into free entertainment for you and your family in your community.

Plan, plan, plan, plan and then plan some morefunny but oh so true

1. make lists-grocery list are great I also keep a bill book that list the bills and the amounts as they come in for the month

2.create menus so that way you are buying lots of unnecessary items at the grocery store

3. buy non-food items in bulk- I buy all of my non foods (soap, detergents,cleaner, deodorant, tissue, ect) in bulk that way I save and only purchase those if once a month

4. keep organized-if everything is in its place you wont be spending if not needed

5. keep routine if you can

6. just because it says sale does not mean a good buy

7. always shop off season especially for clothes and shoes, winter buy in summer and summer buy in winter those are the best sales!!

8. my grandmother taught me this- always keep a little $$ at home, you never know what may happen and if all of your funds are in the bank what happens whenyou cannot get to it, but if ya got a little something under the mattress then less stress

9. reduce use of the debit card!!!! try cash only will also help save and reduce spending

10. Always, Always give to yourself first, it will reduce the urge to spend on non necessity items and you will not feel as if all work and no play

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Shatema
mom to Destiny and Daija divas in training

Get tips Ladies!

Mine are:

1) use coupons (only for items that you typically use or if it will be a good deal!)
2) start a stockpile (comes in handy when you don't have a lot of money to spare, great for gifts to stow away, etc.)- of course stockup when items are on sale!
3) clean and organize (more time at home and you know what you have at all times!)
4) cut back on the amount of things you use (I do this with laundry detergent- you don't really have to use what the manufracturer recommends!)
5) Never pay full price for anything-especially clothing! Shop clearance racks, good will consingment, etc.
6) Make your own cleaning supplies
7) Use up everything- especially leftovers
8) Save your change- it adds up quickly
9) cut out convience foods, cook from scratch as much as possible
10) Find joy in what is around you- family is what matters, not the neighbors things- spend quality time with each other, you dont need to go out and "do" things with the family (like movies, amusements parks, etc...) go on walks- so much healthier and cheaper!

1 I always put a minumum of $50 straight into savings

2 I am a major coupon user(and I also have a price list on the things I sue alot at my diff stores)

3 I make alot of my own cleaning supplies(laundry soap,softener,windex etc)

4 I cook at home(if we eat out it's usually breakfast~which is cheaper than dinners)

5 I limit my trips out to 2 times a week and always fill the gas tank on the way home...so I tell myself if I can't afford the $5-$10 to refill it's a NO GO.

6 I turn off everything at night(including computers,cable box etc)and close/open blinds and windows during diff times of day to avoid turning on the heat/air(last elect bill was $35

7 My entire family shares rented movies(renting something for a week gives everyone in the family time to see it)even better if you get it free from the library!

8 I also shop clearance racks and the Goodwill and also utilize the idea of buying out of season(last year I got 2 pairs of tommy hilfiger jeans and 1 pair of DKNY at Macys all for under $8 each )

9 I definately also utilize Dollar Stores!!!They are GREAT for card/gift bags(dollar tree has the CUTEST gift bags)and household stuff(I got microfiber towels there 3 pk for 1.00 and also a great set of 4 mini spatulas that are great for condiment jars for my Mom and she is constantly telling me how much she loves them)you can also get great buys on chips/crackers/snack cakes,dips etc.

10 my last tip would just be to ORGANIZE...youre more apt to use something if it's easy to get to and less apt to buy something you already have if you can find it easily.