46 almost effortless ways to save money

Need to make every dollar count? Here’s how to be cheap without really trying.

This keeps them yellow longer. Bananas produce ethylene, a gas that causes them to ripen, and separating the bunch can slow down that process.

Watch out for these supermarket tricks you still fall for. 

Seal lettuce in a zip-lock bag with a moistened paper towel to add days of leafy goodness.

Shake the excess water off your disposable razor, then dip it in rubbing alcohol and store it in a dry place (do not leave it in your shower). This will clean the blade, stave off rusting, and add weeks of shaving life.

Flip your mattress and rotate it every three months to extend its life span. As for couch cushions, don’t just flip them – swap them with one another so they don’t become moulds of your family’s backs and butts.

Halve the amount of soap, toothpaste, shampoo and detergent you use – you probably won’t notice a difference. And your clothes should feel just as fluffy with only a quarter of a dryer sheet.

These mindful shopping tips will save you money (and make you happier).

Unplug your dryer. That lint you see is from your clothes slowly being disintegrated by all the tumbling. Stick with our gentle friend the clothesline. If you do use a dryer, zip up metal zippers, before they mug other garments.

You’ll wish you knew these other laundry tips sooner. 

Scoop out that remaining bit of lipstick from the tube with a lip brush. You’ll be surprised at how many applications remain.

Here are 38 ways to make more money in 2020. 

Have the soles of your leather shoes lined with rubber to prevent them from wearing down. And don’t wear them two days in a row. Leather shoes are susceptible to moisture and will last longer if you give them a day off.

Do you air your bar of soap before using it? Many frugalistas swear this will allow it to harden and last longer, without affecting the lather.

Sign up for free custom rewards programs. No matter where you live, plenty of retailers offer rewards and discounts by earning points on purchases, saving you big bucks even when you spend.

These are the credit card rules you should never break. 

Writing a list before you go to the shops will stop you from making impulse buys and unplanned purchases – just make sure you stick to it!

Make double, triple, or even quadruple servings of your favourite recipe and store it in the freezer. When you need a quick meal, just heat one up. Plus, buying food in bulk will be much cheaper in the long run.

Turn your lights off during the day or when you are out of the room. Keeping them on wastes energy and sends your energy bill soaring through the roof.

These money mistakes could be costing you thousands. 

Although energy-efficient light bulbs might cost more at the forefront, in the long run they’re a great investment. LEDs and CFLs have much longer lives than normal incandescent bulbs and use far less electricity.

Clean or change out your car’s air filter every few months. A clean air filter can improve your petrol mileage by up to seven percent.

Here are 13 car problems you’ll regret ignoring. 

Plan your meals around what’s on sale at your local grocery store. After a few months, you’ll have a much smaller food bill – and a fuller stomach.

Here are more supermarket tricks that savvy shoppers use to save money. 

Washing your hands frequently – especially after you’ve used the bathroom or handled raw foods – will help you avoid all kinds of viruses and bacteria, coronavirus included, saving you hundreds in medical bills.

Take your credit card information off of your online accounts. It’s much harder to shop and spend money online when you have to enter your card number and expiration date again and again.

Take advantage of post-holiday sales by doing your shopping for gifts and decor a few days after the holidays end. While most people do this for Christmas, it can work for any special occasion.

Save money on gifts by making your own. Because these gifts are personalised and heartfelt, the receivers will be sure to appreciate them all that much more.

Buy generic brands of medications, toiletries or foods. They are just as good as the name brand, and the few cents they’ll save you will add up to big bucks almost instantly.

Make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct levels. For every two-PSI of air pressure under the recommended level in your tyres, you lose one percent of your fuel mileage. And since most people’s car tyres are five to 10 PSI below the normal level, that could add up to improving your mileage by five percent.

Comb through your phone bill and make sure you aren’t paying for any services you aren’t using. Cut them, or switch to a smaller company that offers you the same service for less. Save even more money by ditching your landline in favour of your mobile.

Learn more surprising ways you’re wasting money. 

Cut down on eating meat and opt for protein-packed alternatives like beans, eggs or nuts, which cost far less per gram.

Cracks in your doors and windows could be escalating the cost of your energy bill. Taking the time to air seal your home will keep the A/C in (and your dollars from leaking out!)

Here are 40 things homeowners aren’t doing – but should be. 

Create an email account to use exclusively for printable in-store coupons, online coupon codes, daily deals and other special savings offers. Once a week, comb through them and select the best to use at your next visit to the grocery store.

These 11 organisational tricks will save you a ton of money. 

A homemade morning coffee will save you an average of three of four dollars a day which adds up to hefty savings in just a month. And try buying your coffee beans in bulk rather than in individual cups – it’s a cheap as well as environmentally friendly habit.

Cancel your pay TV services. With Internet streaming services, you can now watch almost anything immediately, and for a fraction of the cost of pay TV.

Every Sunday, make a list of the meals you will eat for the entire week. Planning your meals in advance will keep you from spending extra money at the supermarket, since you won’t be purchasing food that will eventually go to waste when it spoils.

Give up expensive habits like smoking and drinking. Not only does it damage your health, but it damages your wallet, too.

These 10 unhealthy habits are worse for you than you thought. 

Online fitness classes can save you big bucks on a gym membership. You can stream anything from yoga to Zumba to kickboxing – all for the low price of free.

While you’re looking for great free stuff online, here are 17 virtual museums and concerts you can see for free. 

Instead of relying on takeaway, put together your own lunch each day. You’ll be doing your waistline and your wallet a huge favour.

Turn off the water while you’re scrubbing dishes. It could save you 750 to 1800 litres of hot water per month, which adds up to big savings on your monthly bills.

Save on fancy, fragrant aromatic sprays and make your own air freshener using baking soda and an essential oil of your choice. It will smell just as delightful as the real thing, without the extra buckaroos.

Instead of throwing out clothes once they lose a button or catch a snag, learn a few sewing tricks to repair them; it will add years of longevity to every item in your closet.

Eat a snack before you start grocery shopping. Studies show that a rumbling tummy will encourage you to put more food in the trolley than you actually need.

Know your expiration labels; by tossing food away before it’s truly expired, you could be adding unnecessary costs to your grocery bill. Perishables are often still safe to eat beyond the “sell by” and “use by” dates, as long as they’re stored right.

Here are more tips on cutting back on food waste. 

Instead of driving, walk or bike to get around your community whenever possible; not only will you work in some extra exercise throughout the day, but you’ll be saving on petrol, too.

Here are 10 things that happen to your body when you walk 10,000 steps a day.

The junk in your car boot is taking a big hit to your fuel mileage. An extra 45kg in the car cuts fuel economy by 2 percent, while ditching the weight of all those empty water bottles and fast food bags could save nearly $40 a year.

You don’t have to eat instant, preservative-ridden food to have a long-lasting meal. When stored in a freezer, fresh bites like vegetables, bread and meat can last up to two years.

Here are 10 foods you had no idea you could freeze. 

Running your appliances during “peak” hours means a big spike in your utility bill. Talk to your utility company about their “off-peak” hours and start taking advantage of the savings.

Always make sure you compare the “unit price” stickers of items at the grocery store, and you could get more bang for your buck. Even though the overall price of a product may be higher, you may be getting more of the item by purchasing the more expensive one.

Cancel any memberships that you’re not using, including magazines, online subscriptions and gym memberships. Now you can use that savings on activities you truly enjoy.

Using a slow cooker to make meals will be just as fast as ordering takeout, and it will save you big bucks in the long run; instead of $10 or $15 per meal, a homemade dinner costs just a few dollars.

If you’re feeling under the weather with a minor cough or nausea, home remedies like honey and ginger could do the trick. It will avoid the costly visit the doctor, as well as all of those pricey pharmacy bills.

Here are 10 all-natural sore throat remedy gargles. 

Remember that television, computer, stereo, blender, toaster and coffee maker that you leave plugged in all day? They’re all sucking energy from the wall without using it, which is sucking money from your wallet. Unplug these items when you’re done using them, or use a power strip that you can easily turn off with a single button.

Sign up here to get Reader’s Digest’s favourite stories straight to your inbox!

Source: RD.com