The Top Five Ways to Save Large Amounts of Money

Money/Finances - Budgeting Money

By: jenjen 21-Oct-2010

Browsing Money/Finances Lists

Introduction:

In today's economy, we are all looking for practical ways to save our hard earned money. I am not talking about "turn your lights and water off when not in use," though, those are good. I'm talking something a bit more substantial. Here is a list of things I found saves money.

Entertainment Out

Instead of going to the movie theatre where at $10 per person, a family of four can go see a movie one time for $40 (of course, that doesn't include popcorn and soda, that's extra!!), wait till the dvd or blue ray comes out, buy some popcorn to make and a 2 ltr of soda, sit back and enjoy with your family as often as you'd like. But if you want to make it a night out, see if there are any matinees. Find out what your community has to offer. Check with your local chamber of commerce for things going on in your area. I know of one city where every Friday, they show a free family friendly movie outside at the park, like the old drive ins! At our church we have family movie night sometimes. Keep an eye out for flyers from local churches that are holding special events welcoming the public to the church. Sometimes there are some pretty interesting things going on! One week we had that group "Power For Life Team." They are muscle men who are all ministers who love Jesus with their whole heart... and they bend steel, chew into license plates, bust cinder blocks with their head, break Louisville Sluggers in half, tear huge phone books in half. My sons got a huge kick out that!

Utilities

Check your utility company against others that are around. If you are in an area that has become deregulated, you might check into changing your electric company. I live in TX. When we became deregulated, there were many electric companies that started sprouting up. I found one I was happy with and have stuck with them. The company that was monopolizing our area, was charging me $300+ per month. This was normal. I switched and my bill was cut in half!! Another option is asking your utility company to put you on average billing. This is when the company takes the most recent 12 months' usage of services and averages your current bill and those bills, so as to alleviate the highs and lows in your billing through out the next year. It makes the high months easier to pay.

Cable or Satellite

Cut it off. I know it seems to be something you can't live without. But I promise, you can. And if you do, it can save you at least $40/month. I know folks who pay over $100/month!! Multiply that by the 12 months of the year, you get a savings of anywhere between atleast $480-1200/year!!

Insurance

Compare your current home and car insurance rates with that of other companies. Unless your current insurance company is one you are just emotionally attatched to, change for lesser rates!! I did this just the other day and found one that is HALF of what I have been paying!

Maintenance

This may seem kind of obvious, but this provides several hundreds of dollars in savings. Keep your car tuned. Something my Mama taught me was that I need to keep my car fed (gasoline), watered (in the radiator), and oiled. Change oil every 3000 miles or 3 months. Keep filters changed on time. There are so many other things we must do to maintain our vehicles, homes, and other property. And even though it seems tedious, time consuming, and even expensive, it costs so much more not to take care of your things.

Final Thoughts

This is just a few ways I have found to save big money. They are practical and realistic. If you make these simple changes, you can save hundreds of dollars of your money for things that matter. God bless!!

Give this list a high five!

Comments

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snowfence 2/24/2011
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Thanks for the ways to save large amounts of money. H5!
JoyceTeresaMann 11/8/2010
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Great ways to save money. Thank you!
jenjen 10/22/2010
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You are welcome!! And thank you for the comment and 5 rating!!
goodselfme 10/21/2010
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These are big money saving tips.thank you