Top 50 Tips to Reduce Costs in Tough Economic Times
With many countries now in recession with others flagged to follow, ultimately unemployment will rise and managing your cash is more important than ever.
Whether you have lost your job or just want to help tuck away some more cash during tough times I have searched high and low to bring you the best ways to cut back on your costs (without totally changing your lifestyle).
Tip 1. Change your light bulbs to energy efficient globes
Tip 2. Open windows and let sunlight and fresh air in, turning off lights and reducing use of your air conditioning
Tip 3. Unplug electrical items from the wall when you are not using them and keep them turned off when you are not in those rooms. Electronic devices still use a fair bit of power when they are in stand-by mode – particularly tv’s and computers.
Tip 4. Withdraw enough money to last you a fortnight or month for your bills in a lump sum to reduce bank fees
Tip 5. Cook more meals at home to save on takeaway and restaurant costs. Cook extra to save for your lunches for work.
Tip 6. Wash clothes in cold water and only when you have enough to fill the capacity of the clothes washer.
Tip 7. Dry your clothes on hangers or clothes lines rather than using a clothes drier to significantly reduce your electrical bill
Tip 8. Rent movies from your local video store rather than going to the movies
Tip 9. Don’t buy large consumer items which you don’t really need such as electronic gadgets
Tip 10. Ring other insurance companies to make sure you are getting the best deal for the same policy on your car, home, contents and health care
Tip 11. Buy food in bulk and when it is on special stock up. Try less expensive brands and different cuts of meat.
Tip 12. Reduce your entertainment expenditure by inviting friends over for dinner/drinks rather than heading out, play sports in the park, go driving to visit new places, attend local free events in your community, etc
Tip 13. Brew your own coffee and tea rather than buying it out
Tip 14. Research purchases online and compare costs of at least 3 stores if making significant purchases. Pay in cash to improve discounts.
Tip 15. Go easier on the accelerator when driving your car to reduce your fuel/gas costs
Tip 16. eBay
Tip 17. Borrow books from your library rather than buying them and swap books with friends
Tip 18. Bring your own drinks to work rather than buying from vending machines
Tip 19. Fill the sink with water to wash your dishes rather than washing them under running water.
Tip 20. Collect and use vouchers to reduce your grocery and petrol/gas bills
Tip 21. Buy a bulk pass for public transport rather than paying for individual journeys seperately
Tip 22. Grow your own vegetables and fruit
Tip 23. If you don’t have a yard, buy your fruit and vegies in bulk at a farmer’s market
Tip 24. Create a composite heap in your yard to help provide rich soil for your home grown vegetables and fruit
Tip 25. Take better care of your clothes and do simple repairs and cleans at home rather than using sewing and dry cleaning services
Tip 26. Plan a weekly food schedule and try to mostly only buy items in your core meals rather than snack and junk foods
Tip 27. Pay down your debts to reduce interest costs – mortgage, credit cards and personal loans. See if you can find better deals for them as well.
Tip 28. Buy generic medication where it exists rather than the expensive brands
Tip 29. Take care of most home/maintenance jobs yourself (where you can)
Tip 30. Sell unwanted items in your local paper trading post or online (eBay)
Tip 31. Reduce the channels or the use of your cable television
Tip 32. Downgrade your internet and phone plans (mobile and home)
Tip 33. Make sure your cash savings are providing the best rate of interest – shop around.
Tip 34. Pay your insurance cover annually to reduce the cost of monthly payments
Tip 35. Only use your dishwasher once it has a full load of dishes to be washed.
Tip 36. Cut your own hair
Tip 37. Ride or walk to places close by rather than driving
Tip 38. Cut down on the amount of beauty and hygiene products you use (i.e. only one fragrance)
Tip 39. If you have children obtain hand me down clothes from friends or second hand online
Tip 40. If appliances break go to garage sales to pick up replacements rather than buying new
Tip 41. Only develop your best digital photos rather than paying to develop all of them. Put the rest on a CD and archive.
Tip 42. Invest in the Tool not the Labour. For example: If you need to cut down trees buy a chainsaw or saw and spend a weekend in the yard with the family rather than paying someone to do it.
Tip 43. Pay half your mortgage every fortnight rather than monthly
Tip 44. Make a list and run all your errands at the same time rather than making frequent trips
Tip 45. Reuse grocery and store bags for garbage bin liners, diaper dispensing, etc
Tip 46. Cook your food from scratch rather than buying expensive sauces and packs
Tip 47. Tell the kids ‘no’ when they want candy. Get them to help with other chores on this tips list to get rewards points to give them pocket money.
Tip 48. Use email and have friends over more rather than spending money on mobile/cell or home phone bills
Tip 49. When buying something ask yourself is this something I really need or a want? If buying something regularly multiple it by the amount of days you would buy it per year to see just how much it is really costing you.
Tip 50. Request Free Samples 
Thanks to the following sources for their terrific tips – Frugal For Life, Creating Stillness, Maggie’s MadCap Life, Living Deb, Like Merchant Tips, Thrifty Mommy & Frugal UpState.
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Great tips!!! I will get hubby to do some of these
Hello While searching for Blogs about tips to reduce power bill I found your site. Thank you for the effort you have put in.