13 Ways You Can Streamline Your Spending to Save More Money

The following is a guest post by Tom, who is a writer for a specialist in ink cartridges for printers.

There are about a million ways to cut costs and reduce your spending, but each individual’s financial situation is unique. This can make it difficult to pick out savings tips that will save you the most as opposed to those that only trim pennies from your bills. Now I’m not saying that the little things won’t add up over time, and in this economy, every penny counts. If you really want to cut costs though, you should focus on the big-ticket items before getting down to the nitty-gritty. That being said, here are a few savings tip topics that apply to just about anyone looking to trim some fat from their daily expenses.

Around the House

1. Save on Utilities - Sure, unplugging appliances and turning off the lights can help cut costs, but those areas aren’t where you’ll find your biggest savings. If you’re not willing to give up your cable and internet just yet, reducing heating and cooling costs will make the next biggest impact upon your utility bills. Shutting vents and doors to unused areas and making use of space heaters and ceiling fans are quick and easy ways to significantly reduce your utility bills.

2. Make a Call - Making a call to your internet, cable television, or phone provider can result in unexpected savings. These companies often run specials that can cut your monthly bills significantly. I recently called my internet/cable/phone provider (my services are bundled) and received a $20 pre-paid credit card, a $20 reduction on my phone bill, six months of free internet upgrade, and a one-time, $10 discount to my internet bill. It was easy, there was no yelling involved, and it took about 10 minutes. As mom always said, “It never hurts to ask.”

3. Choose Compatible Printer Cartridges - Are you tired of spending exorbitant sums on those tiny printer cartridges? Thirty, sometimes forty-dollars or more for a single cartridge can add up quickLY. Consider refilling old cartridges or using store brand compatible cartridges from you local office supply store to save as much as half on your home office costs.

4. Avoid Printing in Color - To increase those office savings, try to avoid making color copies unless absolutely necessary. Printing in black and white or simply removing the color cartridge from your printer until you need to use it can reduce the need to purchase those pricey color cartridges.

At the Store

5. Use Coupons - Would you pass by a dollar on the sidewalk without picking it up? Probably not. So why not clip a coupon? It’s pretty much the same thing. Just make sure that the item you’re purchasing is worth it. Sometimes name brands are more expensive, even with a coupon, than store brands and generics.

6. Avoid Name Brands - Do you know why name brands are so expensive? It’s typically not because they are better, but because they have spent more money on packaging and advertising. The next time you are at the store, compare the ingredients of a store brand or generic product to a name brand. You might be surprised and wonder why you’re paying more just for a name or slogan.

7. Check the Ad Pages - Be prepared when you head out to shop. Check store ads and see where the best deals are. Competition is fierce among grocery stores and retailers right now, and you don’t want to bypass great deals just because you aren’t paying attention.

8. Don’t Forget Online Sources - The internet can be a great source of savings these days. Free and discounted shipping, store discounts, coupons, and the ability to comparison shop with a few simple clicks make online retailers more desirable than ever for the savvy saver.

9. Stock Up - When you come across sales on non-perishable items or food products that have extended expiration dates, consider stocking up. As long as you know you will eventually use the products (things like toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, cleaning supplies, etc.), buying when they are on sale can save you big over the long run.

10. Take a Shopping Buddy - Using the buddy system can increase your savings significantly. Getting tips or coupons from friends and family or shopping with someone who knows where the deals are, can save you money and might even teach you some great saving techniques in the process.

Banking

11. Look Out For Introductory Offers - Be on the lookout for introductory offers from banks. Free cash, higher interest rates on savings or checking accounts, and free services are a few of the incentives banks are offering to new customers. Just make sure you read the fine print and understand the terms and conditions before signing up for a particular account or service.

12. Use Credit Unions - If you didn’t know, credit unions are not-for-profit organizations. This means they are typically able to offer better interest rates and lower fees. Since their profits go back to customers rather than greedy day traders and wasteful executives, it means more savings for you!

13. Avoid Fees - As with your cable and phone providers, it never hurts to ask when it comes to banks. If you’ve found you have been charged one of those ridiculous fees (just pick one from the list), call the bank and see if something can be done. This doesn’t give you the right to be a jerk about it, but you never know, they might reduce the fee or eliminate it altogether. It’s usually worth the five-minute phone call to find out.

About the Author

Tom is a writer for a specialist in ink cartridges for printers with a range of cartridges, ribbons and toner including HP laser toner cartridges. For more of his writing, check out CreativeCloud where he writes about design and art.

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