budgeting

5 Smart and Simple Ways to Save

Sara {Go Gingham}

5 Smart and Simple Ways to Save from GoGingham.com Are you always looking for ways to save? Me, too! These are my easy ways to save – both money and resources. These hit all of my requirements – good for you, good for the environment, and good for the pocketbook.

  1. Cook :: Cook at home. You’ll eat healthier and with meal planning, you won’t wonder what’s for dinner every night. Pack a lunch (make this cute lunch sack and bring your lunch to work!) with tasty leftovers and you’ll save on lunches out, too.
  2. Drink :: Drink tap water. Use a filter if you’d like (I do) but designate a water a bottle and bring it along rather than buying bottled water.
  3. Reduce :: Buy less stuff. Yes, recycling is good but reducing is better. Even free stuff – including chairs – and you know I love chairs – I’m passing on those, too.
  4. Share :: Share with your neighbors. We don’t all need to own the same tools or kitchen gadgets. Lending libraries are cropping up to help facilitate borrowing rather than owning. Don’t have one near you? Consider starting a lending library in your community.
  5. Trade :: Home swap and trade homes for a vacation. Travel and enjoy a more authentic trip while someone stays in your home.

That’s it. 5 smart and simple ways to save both money and resources. They’re good for you, good for the environment, and good for the pocketbook – very Go Gingham!

What would you add to this list? What’s your favorite way to save?

Go Gingham related links:

Budgeting and how to track expenses – Part 1
Budgeting and how to track expenses – Part 2
Budgeting and how to track expenses – Part 3
Living a frugal life by choice: strategic frugality
Frugal Living Secrets: Reducing FAITH – not religious – but –
F – Food
A – Apparel – clothing for yourself and your home
I – Insurance
T – Transportation
H – Housing

 

Published by Sara {Go Gingham}

Sara, creator of Go Gingham, writes about real food, green living, and a healthy lifestyle - on fewer resources - {Stylishly Frugal Living}. She loves gingham - but tries to keep that in check.

4 thoughts on “5 Smart and Simple Ways to Save”

  1. Good list, Sara. Sharing work is another way to save–for instance, trading babysitting with a friend with kids so you don’t have to pay a sitter. I only do a little hand sewing so I haven’t made a lunch bag, but I think purchasing one, as well as a good quality insulated travel mug, are excellent ways to save money and to avoid the drive-through syndrome which, in my case, helps me keep my weight under control. Don’t think I’ll ever convince my hubby to do a house trade, though. 🙂

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    1. Kris, way to go! I like how your strategy to avoid the drive-through is a good one. I need tricks to keep me from snacking so I can appreciate that!
      You never know about the home swapping – my husband needed convincing, too, and now he’s a big-time believer in that method of travel!
      Thanks for writing in, Kris. I appreciate you always taking the time to do so. 🙂

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  2. It’s always good to have it confirmed that we are doing something right. I would also add barter to your list. We have skills that we are able to barter for other services. My husband installed a garage door for our lawyer who did up our will, he has fixed a roof for veterinarian friends who fixed our pets, and even I have bartered babysitting for babysitting. There are many other examples too, but you get the idea. I guess you could call it sharing, just kicked up a notch.

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    1. Heidi,
      You’re absolutely right!
      I somehow missed this comment earlier ~
      We had our will done by an estate attorney – and we installed crown molding in his living room as a trade. Sometimes it just takes asking but you’re are correct – we all have skills that others don’t. Creativity helps when thinking about trades and bartering like this!
      Thanks, Heidi. 🙂

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