Old-Fashioned, Money-Saving Tips

Life Rule #1: If you don’t have the money, don’t buy it, and don’t steal it!

1. Meal plan using similar ingredients for 2-3 meals.

2. Repurpose clothes, furniture, and appliances to give them a fresh life.

3. Try home-made cleaning products or purchase fewer types of cleaning products.

4. Hang your clothes to dry instead of using the electric dryer, even if it’s one load a week.

5. Condense your driving by making quick stops after work or lump the stops together. Don’t zig-zag all over town when running your errands.

6. Use the library for free audiobooks, books, magazines, and movies.

7. Buy secondhand items which still have great life.

8. Repair instead of replace (sew clothes, use wood glue, even twine will hold things together longer).

9. Cook at home. Reduce the number of times you go out to eat.

10. Make your own salad dressings and sauces.

11. Make gifts instead of buying them.

12. Limit disposable products (paper towels, water bottles, Ziplock bags).

13. Use coupons and cash-back apps.

14. Use cloth diapers or sanitary napkins which can be washed instead of thrown away.

15. Use cold water for general laundry.

16. Reuse left-over candles or soaps. Melt down scraps to make new versions.

17. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or as soon as you finish rinsing the pots/pans. Turn off the shower water when lathering your body.

18. Make your own coffee and pack your own lunch.

19. Capture and reuse the water that comes from your air conditioner.

20. Repurpose glass food jars for leftovers, drinking glasses, storage or crafts.

21. Use more bulk grains (beans, rice, pasta) and less meat products.

22. Use old clothes for rags instead of paper towels (dusting, cleaning, washing mirrors).

23. Don’t waste food. Cook

24. Shop the sales to stock your pantry. Stack coupons WITH sales for further savings.

25. Eliminate individual snacks and sodas. Instead, buy in bulk, then repackage them yourself.

26. Just a dab will do. Don’t over-use products or wash the extra down the drain.

27. Buy less toys for the kids.

28. BONUS MODERN TIP: Avoid late fees and kill subscriptions.