10 Tips on Making Your Money Last

When my husband received a fishing license and a fishing pole for Christmas I thought, "what a great way to save a buck!" Why would I think that? Because, there's nothing like fresh fish for dinner and it doesn't cost a thing! It provides us free food and helps us to save on our grocery bill. There are so many other ideas to help you save money too. I've listed 10 of them below that I hope will help you to make your money last. After all, a penny saved is a penny saved!

1.) Yes, going fishing is number one! This relaxing hobby just got better. My husband goes fishing every Saturday morning. We have a great place to fish just a mile down the road, and one day when my neighbor was headed down the street on his bike with his fishing gear with him, he yelled, "I've got a house full of company coming so I'm going fishing!" He sure knows how to save money. It can get pretty expensive to feed a houseful of people.

2.) Grow your own veggies and herbs. If you live in a warm climate you can grow them year round. Even if you don't you can set up pots in a sunny room. Fresh vegetables can run into some money when you buy them in the grocery store. Herbs can easily be grown in pots and used as a tea, spice and alternative remedy for various ailments.

3.) Don't go grocery shopping when you're hungry. Really! If you're hungry everything in store makes your mouth water, and when this happens you're bound to buy things that you don't normally buy or that you don't need! So, grab something to eat before going grocery shopping.

4.) Going out to eat? Try sharing an entree! Yes, there are restaurants that serve enough for two (or three!) and Olive Garden is one of them. Their pasta meals are huge. Share a plate of spaghetti or ravioli with your spouse. Just ask for an extra plate, they won't mind. If you really don't like sharing then bring home your leftovers and enjoy a free meal the next day.

5.) Switching gears here...from food to kids. Do your kids beg for this and that, all kinds of gadgets that their friends have? Do they have to have it too? Mine did! A great way to cut down on spending money on the kids is to teach them to save their allowance and buy their own gadgets. This is a great way to teach them to have good spending habits. If they have to buy it themselves, they may decide they don't want or need it after all! When my son was a teenager he wanted to go to Best Buy or Electronic Boutique all the time. He made money by selling things he already had to his buddies. He even traded with his friends. If he had something they wanted and they had something he wanted they traded. It was quite a money saving technique and taught them skills that will last a lifetime!

6.) Cut down on driving! Try car pooling or sharing a trip to the store or even to work with your neighbor. Split the cost of fuel to save money. If at all possible do what we did. Try to make do with just one vehicle. This will save you money, not only fuel but car insurance and maintenance costs too.

7.) Maintain your vehicle so it will last longer. Keep up with the oil changes and give your trusty vehicle a tune up each year. Keep your tires properly inflated, especially when the seasons change. If they're not properly inflated you could be using more fuel. Another tip, and one I point out to my husband- quit peeling out. You're only burning up the tread, which means replacing the tires more often, and this is not even affordable anymore. We'll spend nearly $1,000.00 next time we have to buy new tires because we drive a truck and those tires are more expensive than a car!

8.) Energy efficient appliances- If you have to replace your worn out appliances, be sure to purchase those that are energy efficient in order to save money. There are great energy efficient water heaters, refrigerators and other appliances on the market that will save you some money on your electric or gas bill. Since I'm the one who's always turning down the air or turning down the heat, and also the one who's shutting off the TV and the lights, this made me very happy!

9.) Transfer balances on your credit cards. For those who have more than one credit card try transferring the balance of your highest interest rate card to one with a lower interest rate. You can also consolidate debt by putting your student loans or other personal loans on a low interest credit card too.

10.) Find a bank or credit union that charges no bank fees. Our checking account is free but they do charge a $5.00 fee for low balances. Try to keep the balance up to avoid this fee. Look for a bank that doesn't charge ATM card fees too!

There are many ways to save a buck but often it takes a little research to find them. Not only research, but motivation and determination! If you find yourself running low on cash, then try to take "frugal living and living on a budget" seriously. For more tips on budgeting and saving money, read my other hubs listed below. When in doubt, remember, "You Can Do It!"