MSN Money posts about 8 ways to get richer this year.
Take your discipline (or lack thereof) completely out of the equation by automating your savings. Save before you see the money by transferring it automatically from every paycheck into savings, either regular or retirement. If your employer can’t make it happen, talk to your bank, broker or mutual fund and schedule regular transfers to savings or investment accounts. Instead of trying to find money to save every month, this hack lets you set it and forget it.
Free Money Finance posts 52 of the best money saving tips.
One good way to save money each month is to revamp your energy usage. Experts point out that a smart strip can save from $20 to more than $60 a year, depending on your energy usage and your set up. Consider plugging electronics and other “energy vampires” into smart strips. You can cut the items off from the outlet, putting a stop to energy leaks that occur even when you push the “off” button. I split the difference in estimates and say the average person can save about $40 a year using smart strips.
Saving Advice posts about some frugal tips from the Amish.
Most people cultivate a sense of need for things they could live without. Since most aren’t driven by a culture that abhors amenities, it can take a financial crisis to help a person realize what he or she can give up. How many times have you said, or heard said something like, “A person has to have some comforts.” to justify that second television, or a luxury car, or something similar? If saving money is your goal, take a look around and figure out what the real necessities are.
Broke to posts about ways to save money on groceries.
Keep a well-stocked pantry
As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing more annoying than having a craving for tortilla soup, only to realize that I’m out of canned tomatoes and I have to pay full price for them at the store. Canned tomatoes are about $2 a can, but once in a while go on sale for half that, so you better believe I stock up.
Unclutterer.com poses a question on whether decluttering saves money, and there were a lot of insightful responses
I have saved money by decluttering. I put the brakes on shopping for entertainment, put myself on a strict media budget, haven’t had to “re-buy” things just because I couldn’t find the originals. AND have also been more willing to search for just the “right” thing when I needed something new, versus buying something temporary.
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