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25 savings tips that take less than 10 minutes

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

     

    that's it?   Really?

    It's in the opening paragraph of the article, but just in case you missed it.

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

    A ten minute shower is considered short?  How about keeping it under five?

    All reads well and any changes for health, environment and the such is awesome- and yes even a few can make a difference.  And as I have heard - talk is cheap so less talk and more action.  YES I do make efforts and add new efforts everyday- I am getting there. Kudo's to all that "make the effort" and for those joining in.

    Missy - they're here:

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

    solutions.html

    The link is in the story.

    I have been fortunate to be raised by a mother who was very much into health. I have never smoked, there is no alcohol in my house. I never been to a Dunkin Donuts, or any coffee shop, because I don't drink coffee or eat donuts. I have had a water filter for 25 years, so do not buy water. Those are just a few things that save thousands of dollars a year. Don't get me wrong. I'm not a Morman or never have a drink socially. I just feel there are better places to but my money, like nice vacations, etc. So far my wife and I live a very healthy active lifestyle. We travel the world with dollars that are shifted from expensive habits to things we enjoy.My father gave me great advice when I was young. he said it is easy to become wealthy. Just don't have any cravings that you can't do without.

    @skopin89- "generally people only drink bottled water"??

    I'm sorry but that is simply not true -except for a very small and exclusive subset of the population. the rest of us drink tap water.

    Helen,

    You gave better advice than the author of this article.  Maybe you should be writing this column. So funny.

    If you click on where it say's Jeffrey's List it takes to you another website that has the whole list... This is just an introduction to it...

    You can see all 25 tips by clicking on the blue highlighted "Jeffrey's list" that's right before the short list begins...

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