Top 5 Ways to Save Money In a Down Economy

Money/Finances - Money Management

By: GeorgiaTarheel     12-Aug-2011

Introduction:

There are several ways to save money in a dwon economy. These are in my opinion the top 5 ways.

Make Money With Your Clutter

It is easier than you may think. eBay and Amazon.com make the process a breeze. Sign up for an account, take a few digital pictures, post it, and watch the buyers come to you. HINT: The biggest key I have noticed is selling brand name items and taking a few seconds to think, "If I wanted to buy this item, how would I search for it?" If you do this, you will be much more successful.

Buying Used Stuff Always Saves Money

This is one of my favorite creative ways to save money. I first learned the power of this back in college, when I discovered that I could get my textbooks for free, by buying and selling them at Amazon. I was paying a few bucks (at most) for my textbooks that many of my classmates were paying over $100 for.

Leo from Zenhabits suggests to, "Send out an email to family or friends, or just ask around. You might be surprised. I was about to buy a printer, and then found out my mom just bought a laser printer and didn't need her old inkjet." Freecycle.org and craigslist.org are also good places to look. And of course, you can always check out garage sales and thrift shops.

Ebates - Online Shopping Program

You visit Ebates.com, then click a link to your favorite online store (they have over 1200 stores like Target, Kohls, Walmart, etc) and make your purchase like normal. Ebates will then will be paid a referral fee by that retailer and will share the earnings with you. They pay you a percentage (1%-25%) of the purchase price back. It is completely free to and they even give you a free $5 gift card for signing up. I have been with them since 2008 and have earned hundreds of dollars.

Perkstreet Financial Cash-Back Debit Card

My PerkStreet 2% cash-back debit card is my new favorite financial product. A lot of people like to use rewards credit cards so they can get cash back from their purchases, but just one late payment can completely negate any rewards earned that month. But when you find a debit card that pays rewards just as good (if not better) as most credit card rewards programs it seems like a pretty simple decision to me. I have been banking with PerkStreet the last two months and have earned $147 in rewards over that 2 month period - not too bad!

Get Rid of Your Landline

Many people can save money by only using their cell phones and just doing away with a landline. If you are like me and prefer to use a landline rather than a cell-phone, you can still save money by getting free long distance calls using a device called Magicjack. I have been using it for years, when I purchased mine it cost me $20 for the device and it costs $20 per YEAR to use - which equates to about $1.66/month. Admittedly it is a little quirky, so read my Magicjack review to be sure you know what you are getting into.




Final Thoughts

These are proven ways to cut expenses. Try them for two months. You will notice a tremendous difference.


Give this list a high five!





Comments


Post A Comment

Post this comment to my Facebook Profile





Need a Top Five List Idea?

select one here...

  • The Top Five Golfing Tips
  • The Top Five Pasta Recipes for Kids
  • The Top Five Ways to Workout your Upper Body
  • The Top Five Ways to Get a Loan
  • The Top Five Tips for New Parents
  • The Top Five Candle Scents for Summer Time
  • The Top Five Job Opportunities for People With ...
  • The Top Five Financial Mistakes People Make
  • The Top Five Mistakes Parents Make With Kids
  • The Top Five Songs About Texas
  • The Top Five Helpful Hints to Get Pregnant 
  • The Top Five Country Singers of All Time
  • The Top Five Websites for Artists
  • The Top Five NFL Football Stadiums With A Dome
  • The Top Five Healthiest Snacks
  • The Top Five People you Would Want to Meet
  • The Top Five Advice for New Moms
  • The Top Five Items you Can’t Live Without
  • The Top Five Websites for Discount Vacation Pac ...
  • The Top Five Clues for Crossword Puzzles
  • The Top Five Motivational Speakers
  • The Top Five Places to Live
  • The Top Five Movies of All Time
  • The Top Five Ways to Stay in Shape
  • The Top Five Hair Removal Options
  • The Top Five Reasons Smoking is Bad
  • The Top Five Funniest Jokes
  • The Top Five Spyware Removal Systems
  • The Top Five Steps to Internet Security
  • The Top Five Wedding Themes
  • The Top Five Luxury Cars
  • The Top Five Most Influential Sports Figures
  • The Top Five Online Flower Delivery Companies
  • The Top Five Healthy Meals For Under 5 Dollars
  • The Top Five Paint Colors for a Home
  • The Top Five Ways to Find Cheap Flights Online
  • The Top Five Steps on How to Make a Website
  • The Top Five Home Air Purifiers
  • The Top Five Rules for a Strong Relationship
  • The Top Five Ways to Relieve Stress
  • The Top Five Video Games
  • The Top Five Nascar Drivers
  • The Top Five Xbox 360 Kinect Games for Exercise
  • The Top Five Places to Buy Electronics
  • The Top Five Youtube Videos for 2010 
  • The Top Five Prom Dresses
  • The Top Five Most Hated Celebrities
  • The Top Five Days During the Year
  • The Top Five Healthy Recipes
  • The Top Five Business Marketing Tips
  • The Top Five Jewelry Stores
  • The Top Five Movies With a Twist
  • The Top Five Ways to Keep Track of Spending
  • The Top Five Car Maintenance Checklist
  • The Top Five Harry Potter Movies
  • The Top Five Designer Shoe Brands for Women
  • The Top Five Ways to Save Money
  • The Top Five Shampoos
  • The Top Five Skills Needed for a Career in IT
  • The Top Five Tips on How to Make Money Online
  • The Top Five Steps to Home Security
  • The Top Five Five Music Genres
  • The Top Five Diet Pills
  • The Top Five Car Seat Safety Tips
  • The Top Five Places to Find Crazy Video Clips O ...
  • The Top Five Bedroom Decorating Ideas
  • The Top Five Steps on How to Get a Date
  • The Top Five Ways to Prevent Skin Cancer
  • The Top Five Xbox 360 Games
  • The Top Five California Landmarks
  • The Top Five Places to get French Fries
  • The Top Five Ways to Cope With Stress
  • The Top Five Places for Discount Furniture Onli ...
  • The Top Five Cartoons for Toddlers
  • The Top Five Sporting Events
  • The Top Five Soft Drinks
  • The Top Five Wedding Websites
  • The Top Five New York Hotels
  • The Top Five Creative Ways to Announce a Pregna ...
  • The Top Five Foods For an Upset Stomach 
  • The Top Five Ways to Get a Grant
  • The Top Five Places to get a Free Credit Report ...
  • The Top Five Budget Mistakes Most People Make
  • The Top Five Home Improvement Tips for Selling ...
  • The Top Five Places to Mountain Bike
  • The Top Five Career Moves for Teachers
  • The Top Five Ways to Improve your Resume
  • The Top Five Smart Phones of the Year
  • The Top Five Must See Events in Las Vegas
  • The Top Five Tips for Healthy Blood Pressure
  • The Top Five Vitamins for Hair Growth
  • The Top Five Unhealthy Foods for Dogs 
  • The Top Five Ways to Avoid Unemployment
  • The Top Five Books to Read This Year
  • The Top Five Ideas for Anniversary Gifts
  • The Top Five States to Live In
  • The Top Five Wedding Gowns
  • The Top Five Computers for College Students
  • The Top Five Reason to Rent
  • The Top Five Reasons For Leaving a Job
  • The Top Five Healthiest Choices for Breakfast 
  • The Top Five Clothing Lines for Modest Clothes 
  • The Top Five Places to Get a Student Loan
  • The Top Five Items you Never want to Lose
  • The Top Five Google Apps
  • The Top Five Baby Bags for Moms
  • The Top Five Safest Cities in America
  • The Top Five 4th of July Party Ideas
  • The Top Five Ways to Earn Money Online
  • The Top Five Presidents of the United States
  • The Top Five Steps on How to Potty Train Your P ...
  • The Top Five Simple Smart Phones
  • The Top Five Ways to Keep your Lawn Green
  • The Top Five Card Games for Four Players
  • The Top Five Ways to Turn Down a Job Offer
  • The Top Five Board Games for Groups
  • The Top Five Walt Disney Movies
  • The Top Five Places to Find Cheap Books
  • The Top Five Planets in the Solar System
  • The Top Five Movies of 2010
  • The Top Five Commercials
  • The Top Five Dog Breeds for Kids
  • The Top Five Sources for Vitamin D
  • The Top Five Things you Should Not do in an Int ...
  • The Top Five Chicken Recipes
  • The Top Five Carpet Cleaning Tips
  • The Top Five Restaurants
  • The Top Five Universities for MBA
  • The Top Five TV Shows of All Time
  • The Top Five Steps on How to Avoid Credit Card ...
  • The Top Five Book Series for Young Adults
  • The Top Five Things I've Learned from Brittany ...
  • The Top Five Educational Websites for Kids
  • The Top Five Dessert Recipes
  • The Top Five iPhone Apps
  • The Top Five Causes of Road Rage
  • The Top Five Most Influential Speeches
  • The Top Five Stresses of Home Ownership
  • The Top Five Quotes to Live by
  • The Top Five Websites for Music
  • The Top Five Ways to Improve your Health
  • The Top Five Vacation Spots
  • The Top Five Foods to Avoid when Trying to Lose ...
  • The Top Five Reasons to Vote During Elections
  • The Top Five Wedding Favors
  • The Top Five Pasta Recipes
  • The Top Five Funniest Movies For Kids
  • The Top Five Most Trusted Cars
  • The Top Five Free Places for Veterans to Eat 
  • The Top Five Steps on How to Save Money
  • The Top Five Funniest People
  • The Top Five Designer Handbags
  • The Top Five Talk Shows on TV
  • The Top Five Facts About the Sun
  • The Top Five Superheroes
  • The Top Five Teeth Whitening Tips
  • The Top Five Traditional Thanksgiving Dishes
  • The Top Five Online Gaming Sites
  • The Top Five Fast Food Restaurants
  • The Top Five Tips for Newlyweds
  • The Top Five Funniest Websites
  • The Top Five Ways to Build Muscle
  • The Top Five Places to Find a Job
  • The Top Five Tax Mistakes People Commonly Make
  • The Top Five Inventions That Changed the World 
  • The Top Five Five Smart Phones
  • The Top Five Songs About Love
  • The Top Five Ways to Keep Unwanted Pests Out of ...
  • The Top Five Things to do at Disneyland
  • The Top Five Tips for Staying Positive
  • The Top Five Foods for Diabetics
  • The Top Five Holidays
  • The Top Five Foods That Help you Lose Weight
  • The Top Five Hair Products
  • The Top Five Hair Products Women Must Have
  • The Top Five Makeup Tips for Teens
  • The Top Five Places for Kids Birthday Parties
  • The Top Five Quotes From the Movie Elf
  • The Top Five Pets you Should Own
  • The Top Five Candy Bars With Peanut Butter
  • The Top Five Overseas Bed and Breakfast Stops
  • The Top Five Health Insurance Companies
  • The Top Five Tips for New Businesses
  • The Top Five Online Social Networks
  • The Top Five Creative Ways to Ask a Girl to Hom ...
  • The Top Five Books for the Kindle
  • The Top Five Greatest NBA Players of All Time
  • The Top Five Ways to Earn Money as a College St ...
  • The Top Five Healthiest Fruits
  • The Top Five Places to See in the World
  • The Top Five Funniest Movies Ever
  • The Top Five Reasons you Should Play Fantasy Fo ...
  • The Top Five PGA Golfers
  • The Top Five Signs that You are in Love
  • The Top Five Nuts that go in Salad
  • The Top Five Places to Retire
  • The Top Five Schools for Business Management
  • The Top Five Bealtes Songs beatles songs Writte ...
  • The Top Five Ways to Get a Phone Number
  • The Top Five Photo Editing Websites
  • The Top Five Reasons to Invest in Running Shoes
  • The Top Five Things to do Before your 60 Years ...
  • The Top Five Cell Phones Under 50 Dollars
  • The Top Five Professions
  • The Top Five Things to See in Dallas Texas
  • The Top Five Auto Insurance Companies
  • The Top Five Websites for Kids
  • The Top Five Tips for Planting a Garden
  • The Top Five Ways to Update your Home Without S ...
  • The Top Five Cities to Live in
  • The Top Five HDTV brands
  • The Top Five Websites for Photographers
  • The Top Five Candle Scents for Winter 
  • The Top Five Ways to Invest in Real Estate
  • The Top Five Gaming Consoles
  • The Top Five Ways to Stop Smoking
  • The Top Five Michael Jackson Songs
  • The Top Five Knock Knock Jokes
  • The Top Five Attractions in the USA
  • The Top Five Outdoor Activities