101 Ways to Save Money (Part_4)

Save in the Home

30 Cut the cost of your long distance calls as much as 60 percent by dialing yourself and using the daily and weekend specials. Plan what you need to say and limit talking time.

31Use fewer paper products, such as paper plates, cups, and towels, so they won’t have to be replaced as often.

32 Strive for a simpler lifestyle. This means owning fewer nonessential things and having less to clean and maintain. Buy less clutter and junk.

33 Be creative; use what you have in new and better ways.

34Cut your recreation costs by planning more activities and games at home.

35Entertain friends and relatives at home simply.

36Use your sewing skills to make gifts: aprons, place mats, linens, hand towels, pillows, and needlework. Or, make pictures, wall hangings, chair seat covers, and decorative screens.

37Use some of your homemade jams and jellies for gifts.

38Start slips from some of your plants; then pot them for gifts.

39 Plan carefully and thoroughly as the first step in economical decorating.

40 Consider remodeling rather than building a new house.

41 Learn to paint and to wallpaper.

42 Learn to refinish furniture.

43 Make your own draperies, curtains, spreads, slipcover, and table covers.

44 Learn to clean, repair, and restore household items yourself. Learn to maintain and repair the house and equipment.

45 Make dried flower arrangements from garden flowers, wildflowers, and decorative weeds.

46 Decorate your home with items from nature or use family creations.

47 Take advantage of free or low-cost learning opportunities, trips, and community services, such as schools, workshops, fairs, libraries, concerts,

hikes, public tennis courts, home shows, Extension programs, and other adult education courses.

48 Hold a garage sale. Sell those items you no longer need, use, or want.

49 Plan an outdoor area for living. Landscape to beautify and enjoy it.

50 Buy things that will require as little maintenance as possible.

51 Buy furniture at auctions, garage sales, or second-hand shops.

52 Buy low-cost household cleaning products or learn to make your own.

101 Ways to Save Money (Part_3)

Save on Clothing

16 Study your wardrobe, determine your needs, work out a clothing budget, and stay with it. Clothes bought on impulse rarely fit in your budget or your wardrobe.

17 Buy the best quality you can afford, particularly in clothes that will last for several years.

This is called “Investment Dressing.” Think in terms of cost per wearing.

18 Buy color-coordinated clothes you can mix and match. Buy all-season styles and fabrics when possible. This way you don’t have to buy as many clothes.

19 Know how to spot a bargain. When you buy a garment, check its construction, care instructions, fiber content, and other label information.

Be sure it will last and will be easy to care for.

20 Buy designs that will stay in style.

21 Buy wash and wear as much as possible. Clothes that require dry cleaning are expensive to care for.

22 Choose clothes with simple trim; they won’t go out of style as quickly. Trim should be of good quality and should require the same care as the rest of the garment.

23 Shop factory-outlet stores. Don’t assume there is something wrong with clothes sold there. They could be surplus, samples, or discontinued lines. Any imperfect or damaged items must be tagged or advertised as such. And, the flaws in some may be so minor that they don’t matter at all.

24 Accessories can add a new look to your wardrobe for a much smaller cost than buying major items.

25 Adapt what you have to current styles instead of dashing out to buy something new.

26 When you outgrow clothing, exchange with friends and relatives or recycle them.

27 Contribute clothing to a “nearly new” shop sponsored by a charitable organization. Your gift may be tax deductible if you get a signed receipt for its estimated value.

28 Learn to sew, but don’t rush out and buy a lot of fabric that you’ll never get around to making into garments.

29 Take good care of your clothing and shoes.

They will last longer.