Search Smart Spending:

25 savings tips that take less than 10 minutes

Posted Jul 24 2008, 02:21 PM by Karen Datko
Rating:

Every little bit helps if you're trying to stretch your money, and it's even better if you can accomplish savings with little effort. For instance: How long will it take you to put a dry towel in the dryer with a load of wet wash?

Jeffrey Strain at Saving Advice says you can reduce your drying time by 10% by implementing this little trick. It's from his excellent post called "25 ways to improve your financial situation in under 10 minutes."

Of course, you can save even more by not using the dryer. Also, check out a link Jeffrey provides to Dryer Money Saving Tips.

We'll share a few more of our favorites from Jeffrey's list:

    • Do all of your wash in cold water. He says, "There is this huge myth that clothes only get clean in hot or warm water washes." He also links to Washer Money Saving Tips.

    • Keep a kitchen timer near the shower. We take short showers, but we know lots of people like Jeffrey, who used to brainstorm about work while the hot water flowed. He says, "My wife solved that problem by bringing in a kitchen timer that I now set at 10 minutes every time I take a shower."

    • Sign up for reward programs. If you sign up for newsletters from companies whose products you normally use, you can get access to special discounts. Jeffrey provides handy links for registering for promotions from major manufacturers and producers of organic products.

    • Reduce your dependence on soda. Jeffrey was consuming pop to the tune of $1,000-plus a year, but weaned himself by drinking a full glass of water before he allowed himself a soft drink. He's now soda-free.

    For those who missed the links above, click here to read Jeffrey's post.

    Comments

     

    Threre are at least TWO LINKS in the article to the rest of the list...

    For the folks that missed 'em!

    Click on "Jeffrey's list" right above the bullet points for the rest of the list :)

    Where are the other 20 Savings ideas?   The title states there are 25 ideas in the article and I only counted 5!

    I put a Brita water filter on my faucet at home.  It was $29.  It has paid for itself  since I used to buy bottled water.  (The tap water where I live tastes awful).  Plus, not having a bunch of plastic bottles to buy and store is nice too!

    I also put my $5 bills in a jar at home.  The reasons for this are.

    When I go out, I have some $$, thus NOT making a extra trip to the ATM.

    I don't have to use my credit/debit for any small purchases.

    It's there when I really need it, or saved for a rainy day or for something special I have my eye on.

    I save $ in a bank account as well, but if I don't have to tap into it for any reason, it's nice to have it on hand when needed.

    Also, shopping I use many of the store brand items, as well.  Home cooked meals are so YUMMY!  

    Saving a little bit here and there really adds up!!

    I agree with the making your coffee at home.  I buy the beans and I got a cheap coffee grinder.  It smells and tastes great in the morning.

    check the links stupid

    We quit smoking March 1, 2008 and still continue to put our smoking money in a glass jar and keep it on the kitchen counter so we can see it everyday. Today we have over $1200 in that little jar and feeling great..

    The other ideas are in the link in the first paragraph of this article as follows:

    www.savingadvice.com/.../102194_10-minute-financial-solutions.html

    ditto Missy,  I count 5 ideas.....what are the other 20?

    Waooo...and I thought I had realy good ideas on how to save. Ummm Iam realy impressed.

    If feasible, try a washing line, laundry costs nothing to dry.  You get a free workout hauling the clothes outdoors.  Plus it is great to slip between crisp sun dried sheets.  I only use my dryer in winter.

    Send a Comment

    Comments must be directly related to the blog entry. Comments with offensive language will be deleted. Your e-mail address won't be displayed.

    (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):