Ways to save money

[cloudedraven]

I made a card at work to tape onto my debit and Visa cards...It's a picture of a yaris (my fave car and really wanna buy it) and on it reads "Do you really NEED this, or would you rather have your yaris?"

I think its hilarious and when i pull my card out to pay for something it definitely makes me think about whether or not i actually should...its only been about a week but so far it seems to be working! =^_^=

[Valiant]

A jar for my new winter boots.
A jar for my new winter coat.
A jar for a good haircut.

PS: This will not work unless you also place money in these jars from time to time.

[docbosh]

It's completely different when the cashier/server hands you a pile and you taking more than you need so that you can bring them home with you.

It's funny, how my message was taken by some. I was clear that there are differences between taking home those items you took extra of "by accident", but when you load up with extra just to take home that is not cool. I have started being much better about not taking more than I need. You might also note now McD's and others have switched to little paper cups for ketchup, an environment issue parhaps, but it leads to less people loading up to take the "extras" home.

If I overdo my napkins, I will take the extras with me for my pocket or the car, I know they'll just get thrown out, but I aim not to have extra.

[jujubetwins]

lots of great tips, i tried to read them all. I don't think I saw mentioned.

-I save the bones from the roast chickens (from the store, can't buy and roast a chicken for the price at RCSS) and freeze, when I have a few I boil them up for stock. I also keep the celery hearts in the freezer and toss those in too.

Mainly I watch prices and buy on sale and in season and make sure food does not go to waste.

-Use powdered milk for baking instead of fresh

-use your crock pot, uses less energy and also means a meal is prepared ahead so no last minute "take out"

-use a pressure cooker, saves energy. Great for dried beans (cheaper and lower salt than canned) just make sure not over 1/3 full in the pot. Texture is nicer than just boiling.

-stock up on sale and in season and freeze. (or produce from your own garden)

-I cook from what I have on hand and also what's on sale.

-coupons are great but the fault is buying for the "sake of the deal". I prefer simplifying, using less cleaners and scented products and cosmetics and just going more basic. Buy a multi purpose cleaner or use vinegar and baking soda.

-I buy meat in bulk on sale (markdowns if fresh) and repackage with my vacuum sealer.

-make your own cards, I buy cardstock and even save the fronts from cards received. The kids or I can cut these out as well as use our own decorations. Photos of flowers on the front also make great general cards.

-reuse blank paper from work that went through the printer but didn't have much on it (test sheets or error prints) I bring home almost a ream a month and put it in my printer and print my coupons on it. Usually goes in the recycling at work.

-use envelopes from cards etc. for sending field trip and lunch money to school

ETA (similar tip for toothpaste and laundry detergent above)

- for tubes and squeeze containers (facial scrub all lotions etc.) when "empty" I cut in half and can still get about a week of applications out of it!
-for thick salad dressings that are "empty" I add a bit of lemon juice or vinegar and get more out for at least a meal or two

[Max in Montreal]

Teksavvy is a really good provider i have been using the best price i saw in the market 2yrs ago $31.XX including tax for the one i took (no hasel and annoying calls ..). when i called to cancel since i was moving to diff location no questions asked all done in less than 2 min .

acanac is another great service provider, and way cheaper than bell or my cable company!

[Max in Montreal]

-Use Magik Jack
-If you heat your home with oil, get a thermo pump

[Max in Montreal]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fsKUyObUIs

[imscottish]

I buy kitchen soap, or any other cheap/on sale body wash or nice smelling dish soap, refill my used Bath & Body Works (or other brand) "foaming soap" dispenser with 1/6 soap the rest water, shake and viola, fancy handsoap. less goes down the drain when in foam state....and my DS loves the foam!

PS I use the lotion plus dishsoap for this reason and regular kind for dishes....my DH wonders why we have two kinds on the go....

[labelle]

-Find people selling discounted gift cards for stores you are thinking of making big purchases from!
-EBAY!
-Smart Canucks CASHBACK!!!
-Coupons, Coupons and more Coupons! (Wait for the items to go on sale too! for even more savings)

Do you know any websites for discounted gift cards? Thanks!

[Insane]

I buy kitchen soap, or any other cheap/on sale body wash or nice smelling dish soap, refill my used Bath & Body Works (or other brand) "foaming soap" dispenser with 1/6 soap the rest water, shake and viola, fancy handsoap. less goes down the drain when in foam state....and my DS loves the foam!

PS I use the lotion plus dishsoap for this reason and regular kind for dishes....my DH wonders why we have two kinds on the go....

That's so cleaver!

[moneysaver22]

- make my own baby food (all you need is a blender and and ice cube tray to freeze homemade purees)
- invest in a dehydrator. you can make your own fruit roll ups, jerky, dry diced veggies from your garden and rehydrate in roasts or soups
- invest in a push mower (no gas and its a great work out, use your clippings in your compost for your garden)
- grow your own veggies in your garden, you'd be surprised how much you can grow!
- sell all your unwanted items on kijiji or ebay (you can recoop money)
- Cut your own hair! (i cut all my kids hair and my hubby's too.....can't cut my own though...not yet anyways )
- we base meals on what is on sale! We shop at Superstore and grab 50% off items (look for the bright pink tags) and make sure to eat these foods the same day or next day purchased.
- shop the clearance sections wherever you shop
- for vacations we book hotels on Hotwire....very cheap
- Don't drive your car BIKE instead
- I own an electric scooter! Don't pay for gas AND I don't pay for parking downtown (where I work)
- buy Christmas gift ALL YEAR Round. If anything is on clearance (toys, clothes, other gifts) get them and stock them away until Christmas

[Shwa Girl]

- buy Christmas gift ALL YEAR Round. If anything is on clearance (toys, clothes, other gifts) get them and stock them away until Christmas

Me too. I try to buy items for stocking stuffers year round. I find out what my giftee's like and look for the rock bottom price. Last year I made the mistake of giving my male relatives the Old Spice body wash in their stocking stuffer bags

Turns out they are Dove men. And not the Dove for Men kind. They like the moisturizing kind - and told me so.
So, when RCSS had all their Dove body wash on for $1.99, I got enough for all my male relatives.

[Ciel]

It's worth noting gift recipients' scent preferences--some can take certain scents and some avoid scents for various reasons, esp. if allergies are involved. Those Dove products had to have been in the house and used by women. The menfolk tried the products and liked the results.

I sort of wish for the return of a coupon bin at a local store (used to have a shallow box where you could leave coupons you don't use and pick up any coupons you did want). That would be a community nicety, as most are watching their food budgets.

I think most of us are keeping in mind friends or family in need of clothing or other secondhand things still in great condition that they can use. Some items came this way to me, especially a much needed winter parka.

[Shwa Girl]

-I save the bones from the roast chickens (from the store, can't buy and roast a chicken for the price at RCSS) and freeze, when I have a few I boil them up for stock. I also keep the celery hearts in the freezer and toss those in too.

I agree with you about the barbeque chicken from RCSS. Great in the summer when it's too hot to cook. At some Loblaws, they reduce the price Saturday night/Sunday morning and put it in the deli/cold bunker with a pink sticker.

Love your idea for stock too.

[Jellybean]

If you require a vehicle to get you around, due to lack of public transportation, never buy a brand new car. Always buy second hand.

Do anything to reduce your taxes. RSP's, maximize your TFSA every year, tuck a little money away in RESP's(if you have children), keep your transit passes for tax credit, do some research or speak with an Accountant to ensure your not missing anything. I work with a bunch of Accountants they're not tax experts but my boss, who is a CGA, always states "I just don't buy anything". This coming from a guy who leaves a wheel-barrel out to collect rain so he can later water his garden. Makes sense and saves on water. He also grows some vegetables. I must say I've tried to grow vegetables but I don't have much of a green thumb.

I know most of us have a passion for shopping but really as stated in other posts always question do I really need this.