Tighten Your Belt and Save Money!!

In today's failing/failed economy everyone is looking for ways to survive the recession/depression. Though I would love to give you the one good answer to how to make extra money to make ends meet, I cannot. I can however share with you my experiences in saving money. Saving a dime is like making a dime! If you save a dime ten times a day, you've saved a dollar!

I will share plenty of ways to cut down on your expenses and suggestions to put that savings to good use! I welcome any questions and comments and discussion you may have. President Obama has started his stimulus package and many people are seeing $8 to $15 a week extra on their paychecks. My first tip is to take that extra money and put it into a savings account! Let your money draw some interest. You did not have the money before so you won't even miss it. I personally put $10 a week into a savings account. That is $520 put into savings every year.

Finding the right savings account is not always the easiest thing. I suggest finding a savings account at a bank that does not charge you a maintenance fee. Too many banks charge you $3 to $5 a month to save your money. If that is the case it would be better to put your money in your mattress! Some banks will charge toy a maintenance fee if you have below $100 in your account. So, stick your money in your mattress until you have $100 then put it into your account and forget that it is there.

If the bank offers you a debit card or checks for your savings account, decline the offer. If you have the ability to take your money out of the account it makes it that much harder to save! Many people that I know put 10% of every paycheck into a savings account. This is great if you are able to do that, but most people are not well off enough to part with 10% of their paycheck. I hope to get you to the point where you have saved enough money on utility bills and such that you have an extra 20% to put into your newly opened savings account.

I will never ask you to buy anything or join anything! Just press ctrl+d and bookmark the blog and come back every day or subscribe in a reader or via e-mail. I will have those options set up very soon. This being my very first post it will be up for the week and I will have new posts starting on March 20, 2009. That is the first day of spring and a great day to start saving money! Until then, let me know if you have any ideas you'd like to share or questions you'd like to ask.

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1. Turn out the lights when you leave the room, ESPECIALLY the Bathroom!
2. Use cash and put your change in a jar!
3. Turn off the water when brushing your teeth!
4. If you cannot afford it DON'T buy it!
5. Never borrow money to pay off a debt!
6. If you live close to work walk when the weather is nice!
7. If you only need one or two items walk to the store and back!
8. Turn your computer off when you're not using it ESPECIALLY at night!
9. Shop less often and buy in bulk whenever you can!
10. Start a garden in your window or on your deck!
11. Ask your credit card company for a better interest rate!
12. Over 55? Become a member of AARP and get discounts everywhere!
13. Got a fireplace? Buy firewood in the summer it is cheaper!
14. Buy next years winter clothing at the end of this winter!
15. Charge your cellphone at work ESPECIALLY if it is a company phone!
16. When your lights burn out switch out light bulbs with fluorescent light bulbs!
17. Unplug appliances that you do not use often!
18. Set your refrigerator thermostat to warmer!
19. Set A/C Thermostat 2 degrees warmer in summer 2 degrees colder in winter!
20. Keep the refrigerator and freezer 75 percent to 85 percent full!