Don't Spend Money to Save Money

You usually end up losing, not winning!

If you spend $15 and buy yourself a great top, but never end up wearing it, you've wasted $15. Before you grab that bargain, stop and ask yourself if you’ll really use it and if you really need it. Marketers are very clever at making you feel like you have to buy it that day or you’ll lose out. Make sure instead, that you're the winner, not them. If you really need it, then buy it and pat yourself on the back for finding a great deal; if you don't really need it, walk away and pat yourself on the back for saving yourself $15!

If you don't ask, you don't get.

You'll be amazed at what you can save simply by asking. Ask for a discount or ask for something extra to be thrown in for free. Try it; it’s a lot of fun when you win! Ask them if they can do a better price for cash or if they can throw in something to sweeten the price. Find your own words, but always ask, particularly in this current economy!

Keep the Heat In

Heat up your room, not your bill

There are many ways to make your heating more efficient and your energy bills lower. Keep the doors closed. If you are trying to heat an open plan room, then make sure the doors to bathrooms, hallways and cupboards are closed. If you have blinds or curtains, close them. You lose a lot of heat out through your windows, whilst also allowing the cold air to permeate through gaps in doors and window frames. Close them off and you'll keep the heat in.

You’ll never go over budget!

By checking your online trolley subtotal, you can always ensure you never go over budget. If you think you can't afford the delivery costs, you can always delete one of those unnecessary items off your shopping trolley. And don't forget you're not paying for petrol or your time either. It's a winning situation all around!

Buy in Bulk and Cook Ahead

It’s the same effort, but twice the food!

Don’t you hate having to cook for your family in the evening when you’re worn out and in a rush? Well you don’t have to!

Find a few hours, even if it is one night after the kids have gone to bed, and cook for the week ahead. Buy extra ingredients, enough for two or three meals of the same dish. It really isn't that much more effort to brown 2 kg of mince instead of 1 kg.

You can freeze the extra dinner size portions in airtight containers and simply reheat them any time you like. Your family will eat well, but without the stress and rush.  Great food to cook ahead in bulk and freeze includes taco or spaghetti mince, casseroles and soups.

Swap your services for something you value.

Are there services or products you can offer to trade for a service or product that you really want? If you can't afford a weekly massage, maybe you could find a mother who is a massage therapist but who needs weekly baby sitting or bookkeeping, gardening, marketing, ironing… get the idea? Be bold enough to ask. It's amazing how many people are willing to swap services or products instead of cash.

Use Discount Vouchers

Do it for less and go out more often!

Feel like taking the kids out to a movie or bowling? Want to enjoy a meal with a friend? There are hundreds of deals to help you do all of this, but often at half the price. So next time you sit down to plan, have a look around and see how you could easily do it for a cheaper price! It means you can afford to go out twice as often or enjoy what you’re doing twice as much.

For fantastic deals, check out the Entertainment Book. There a different ones for different cities, right across Australia. Click here to find one that best suit you.

Swap instead of shop.

Bored of your clothes and have no money to buy anything new? Talk to your friends; they’re probably in the same situation. Ask them over for a clothes swap and without exchanging a dollar, you’ll all look like new! It doesn’t have to be a permanent arrangement; just borrow and swap back when you’re done.

You can save thousands of dollars each year! There are always bargains if you spend the time comparing prices.

Here are some great sites that will save you money!

Australia: www.lasoo.com.au
US: www.pricegrabber.com
New Zealand: www.shopbot.co.nz
UK: www.pricerunner.co.uk

Your junk is cash!

Have a garage sale or sell it on EBay instead! One person’s junk is definitely another’s treasure. There's money in that junk! Don’t know how to use EBay? They have online tutorials at http://pages.ebay.com/education/index.html