How To Save Money On Food & Everyday Essentials

All of us need to eat but we don’t have to spend a fortune just to fill up our stomachs. One way to save money is by watching what we eat and this is how you do it.

First, try eating at home more often instead of going out. Sure, we don’t want to cook or are too lazy to do this chore but if you don’t cook, how do you expect to eat? You save more money buying groceries than eating in a restaurant. If you aren’t married yet, this could impress whoever you are dating because they know you can do this on your own.

But don’t deprive yourself from having some fun. You can still go out in a restaurant but instead of ordering the usual, try to get something else in the menu that is slightly more affordable.

Eating in instead of eating out is good so you have to visit the grocery frequently. Before you walk in, make sure you always have a shopping list and never deviate from it. As much as possible, buy everything you need once a week because going to the grocery two to four times a week will tempt you to buy things that were never on the list.

If you are used to buying a certain brand, try buying its competitor. Chances are, it is cheaper and it could taste just as good or even better. You can also save money when you buy generic baby formula and prescription drugs.

For those who have babies, one thing you will buy a lot during this stage is the baby diaper. Since they grow quite rapidly, don’t stock up on too much diapers of one size because you may not use everything. Only buy what you need so before you put it in your cart, always compare the unit price.

You may be a regular customer in one supermarket and have been happy going in and out of there for years. For once, perhaps you should shop elsewhere and compare their prices. If the prices here are cheaper then you will probably shop here more often.

A lot of people eat out during lunch time when they are at work. If you have successfully prepared breakfast and dinner, you can surely prepare lunch which you can eat during your break.

The same goes for coffee because a cup of Starbucks daily translates to more than a thousand dollars a year. You can have the same taste at home when you have a coffee machine that can churn it up after several minutes then all you have to do is put it in a mug and bring it to work.

A lot of establishments are feeling the recession and one way they try to stay alive is to come up with promos and hand out coupons. If you know where to look, you can cut out these coupons or print them from their website. With a few of these around, you can save from 5{c52a10b7e08e9c2d7a1926146b17d7677c51e665563998c7b5df51c724457d14} to 25{c52a10b7e08e9c2d7a1926146b17d7677c51e665563998c7b5df51c724457d14} on selected items.

Discipline, proper planning and smart shopping is essential when you are thinking ways of how to save money on food and basic goods. Is it going to be easy? No but if you have the willingness to do it, you can save thousands of dollars.

Save Money & Stay Fit With Yoga At Home

More and more experts agree that one of the ways to save money for fitness buffs out there is to learn and practice yoga at home. Aside from helping them to be disciplined in doing yoga exercises at their most convenient time, doing yoga at home can also help them cut down their expenses when going to fitness centers and paying for yoga classes and instructors for something that they can do by themselves.

The best alternative

No matter how hard a yoga practitioner tries to attend each session or class, there are always those times that they are caught up with their association with the outside world such as work schedules and even budget constraints. For those who are trying to save some money but would still want to continue practicing yoga, the best alternative would be learning and practicing it at home with the help of yoga videos.

These days, yoga videos are proven to be helpful and practical alternative because these can be very useful tools especially in getting started with the exercise. And with the help of modern technology now, most of the yoga video collections are available to be ordered not just in fitness stores but online as well.

For starters, you can choose from a wide selection of yoga instructional videos such as “Total Yoga: The Flow Series” by Tracey Rich and Ganga White, “Yoga Zone” by Alan Finger, “Living Yoga, A.M./P.M.” by Rodney Yee and Paticia Walden, “Basic Yoga Workout for Dummies” by Sara Ivanhoe, “Yoga: Mind & Body” by Ali MacGraw; “Crunch Yoga Mama: Prenatal Yoga”; “Yoga Practice for Strength” a Yoga Journal by Rodney Yee; “Ashtanga Yoga” by Richard Freeman; “The Power of Hatha Yoga” by Naader Shagagi; and “Kundalini Yoga: With Grace and Strength” by Carol Carlson.

These yoga videos are not only suitable for beginners but also to intermediates, and experienced practitioners because these videos feature highly exercises and effective yoga postures and positions. If you are online, you can choose from an assortment of which can also as an inspiration for you to enhance your practice. These videos are also a great substitute when you feel terrible in missing a single class.

But before buying any yoga video or any fitness video for that matter to save money, you might want to consider your:

– space since a specific yoga video may teach advance postures that would eat up a space in your home;

– personal inclination and comfort since you will be doing the sessions on your own. If you have chosen to get into yoga, then you better choose a yoga video that can complement your basic knowledge on the exercise.

– goals and your objectives on what you want to achieve since this will help you get going. If you think that you need to learn the discipline to promote control of the body and mind, then better get a good yoga kit that include at least a set of basic yoga videos.

Although learning and practicing yoga at home is one of the best ways to save money, make sure that you have the heart and the discipline to go through it. Remember, there will be no instructors to guide you so it is a must that you know within yourself what you should so you will continue practicing yoga even if you are at home.

Save Money With Aromatherapy At Home

With all the stress that people experience in this time and age, they tend to resort to different forms of relaxation. And one of these is through aromatherapy sessions in various wellness centers. Although these can very well aid relaxation, they can be quite expensive. If you are one of those who are into aromatherapy, one of the best ways to save money is to learn doing it at home.

Aromatherapy at home

The people who are licensed to conduct aromatherapy sessions include the aromatherapists, the spa owners, the massage therapists, as well as other healing arts practitioners. But, this doesn’t mean that ordinary people cannot do it. With proper research and some first hand tips from the so-called “authorities,” you can conduct an aromatherapy session at home.

If you are thinking of using aromatherapy at home to save money, you should be very particular in buying essential oils—the basic requirement in aromatherapy. Experts say that knowing the proper usage of aromatherapy oils is important to ensure that the consumers will get the therapeutic properties as well as the safety of their health and well being.

Those who are new to aromatherapy are advised to be very careful in buying essential oils because the products available in the market today can be quite deceiving. Experts agree that it is a must to conduct research first before buying or using any essential oil or aromatherapy product so people can identify which ones are best and safe to use.

The label should also be of utmost priority when buying essential oil. By looking at the label intently, the consumers will know what exactly is the content of the product. People are advised to buy essential oils that are placed in bottles and labeled with “essential oil” to ensure the content’s purity. It is also advisable to inspect the package or the container carefully for any cracks and damage and they should only buy only from reputable sellers.

Once the high quality essential oil is bought, proper usage should be paid attention to ensure the success of the aromatherapy session at home. Experts agree that one of the best ways to use essential oils for aromatherapy is to inhale it by placing a couple of chosen essential oil drops to streaming water placed in basin or bowl. Then, all you have to do is mix the essential oil to the water well and breathe its steam for less than an hour. One of the best benefits of inhaling aromatherapy oils is clearing the sinus as well as reliving headache when you have colds. You can also inhale essential oil by placing a drop or two of your favorite essential oil on a hanky and place it near under your pillow.

Essential oils can also be used by spraying it by utilizing or by mixing it with ounces of distilled water and used as a spray inside the room. By mixing it with water and used as a spray, you can enjoy aromatherapy comfort anytime.

Another option is to apply it directly but only if you mixed it with water. Experts say that aromatherapy essential oils should not be directly applied on the skin because it can cause rashes and burning.

Once you have mastered buying and using aromatherapy, you can do the sessions on your own at home. Instead to going to spas and wellness centers, learning it is one of the best ways to save money and your time and energy as well.

Working At Home

When one thinks of ways to save money, it is very seldom that one would come up with a business. Why? It is because coming up with one would require a certain sum of money as well as time and effort. But for those who are thinking of long term benefits, coming up with a business—especially those that are hone-based—would help them save lots of money in the long run.

How can home business help you save money?

Yes, coming up with a business would require one a lot of investment. But, did you know that you could save money by just coming up with one? This is because you will be able to save money from everyday expenses when you are working in an office.

The first thing that you would cut down some costs is transportation. If you own a car, you can save lots of money just by not spending on gas. Can you imagine how much you can save if you are not using your car off to work or in going to places that is related to your job? And, if you can handle it, you can even sell your car since you won’t be using it that much because you have to stay at home to manage your business.

Aside from transportation costs, you can also save some money by not spending so much on clothing and other things that you need in order to look good in an office setting. Many people who work in offices are obliged to wear corporate attires that would cost a lot of money. Can you imagine how much you can save when you don’t have to buy a skirt or blouse to use? Or how much money you can save when you don’t have to buy a new pair of shoes or a bag just to match your outfit?

Operating your own business at home can also help you save money because you will be veered from the temptations outside. Although this would mean that you have to give up your nightlife or everyday lifestyle but imagine how much money can you save when you don’t have to spend so much on foods that you will eat in a restaurant or the drinks you will order from the bars.

The easiest options

Aside from saving money, having a business at the comforts of your home can also be the perfect job for you since you will be in control of your own working patterns. Imagine, when you prefer to make money from home, you can set your own working hours. And if you are just looking for one, there will be no need for resumes, job interviews, dress codes and slave driver bosses.

If you are one of those who are thinking of ways to save money though a business, the most viable option for you are those that are related online. With Internet, almost everything became virtually available. This is the reason why more and more people decide on operating online home businesses because there are so many target markets here. Some of the online business options you can work on would include writing for online sites, selling products online and offering services online.

Aside from these, there are so many opportunities available online for you to explore. But, if ever you decide to put up a business at home as one of the ways to save money, make sure that you consider very well the pros and cons in working all on your own so you won’t have any regrets in the end.

How To Save Real Money Purchasing Items On Sale

In this time and age, who wouldn’t love a sale? People of all ages and statures love going on a sale because this is one of the best ways to save money.

During a sale, items such as clothing, accessories, shoes, make up and even perfume are slashed into prices one cannot imagine. This is the reason why many people go gaga once a season sale has been announced. In fact, there are those people who even have a list of the dates when they favorite stores or boutiques will go on sale and would make sure that they will be there on the first day no matter what.

Unlike before where women are only known to go crazy over sale, there is a growing population of men who also rush to stores and department stores during a sale because they know that they will save a relatively huge sum of money.

But, how exactly one can save money during a sale? Here are some of the realizations how one saves money when she or he opts to go on a sale. People who shop during sale season are:

1. Able to buy quality items for a lower price. This is the aim of almost all people who go on a sale. In some stores, they even give as high as 80 percent discount for their items when they are on sale. If you are one of those who are eyeing for good and quality finds, try going on store during its sale season.

2. Offered many choices and alternatives. Unlike on regular days where you only have limited options due to budget constraint, your world can be opened up to as many choices as possible when you go on a sale. Here, since many stores would want to sell their items, you can find pieces that can be bought for less than its original worth. Since the trend during sale—especially on malls—is to have a mall-wide sale, you can hop from one store to another and still find something that will make your day.

3. Find designer items for less. Many people, even the affluent ones, look forward to sale season because this is the best time to but designer items for less. Can you imagine buying a designer item such as a bag or a pair of shoes with a slashed down into half? Think of Prada bags, Guess jeans, and Blahnik shoes that you can buy for lesser prices than their regular prices. You can also buy designer perfumes, make-ups, and other designer item that you can treasure for the rest of the year.

4. Purchase many items within a budget. There are also those people who look forward to sale because they would want to buy as many pieces of items within their limited budget. During sale season, there are greater chances for you to buy two new whole outfits in a price of one during the regular season. You can also buy basic items in twos during the sale season without having to compromise quality.

Although sales are one of the best ways to save money, don’t let it alter your personal taste. If you can, always try to be original but innovative. Do not purchase items just because it is cheap but buy things that you really like in cheaper price. If you can’t find anything that suit to your tastes, don’t get depressed because there is always the next time.

Ways to save money during a recession

There is no doubt that times are hard. And though you are not part of the pack who have lost their jobs in recent months, you’d still feel the crunch when prices are sky high and you just understand why money is harder to come by these days. You are not probably thinking of ways to either earn additional income or ways to save money.

This is especially true for those who are used to having part time jobs that supplement their income. Right now, additional jobs are harder to come by. Not only are their fewer jobs, there are also plenty of competition and frankly, employers will prioritize those who do not have day jobs.

But saving money is actually not as difficult as people make it out to be. Like everything else, it’s all about discipline. If you are committed to the task and you can do anything you want, even manage to squeeze in all your expenses into one measly budget and have enough left to put in the bank. Here are some of the ways on how to save money that you never really thought of.

1. Mind the plug
One of the biggest wastage that people do is their electricity. You don’t realize it but you are probably paying far more for your electricity that what you are supposed to be not because of the cost of electricity but because you have managed to waste those watts when you forget to unplug the appliance or you have left the lights on even when nobody is there already. By changing the schedule of your laundry and your ironing, you can already make a lot of changes in your bills and therefore save tons of money. All you need to do is to always remember. Besides, you will not only save money but you will also be able to help lessen the problems on energy.

2. Skip the coffee
If you are the coffee addict and you just can’t go through the day without the cappuccino, curb the habit. If you can’t, at least resolve to have that cup of coffee inside the house and not buy it from Starbucks or other coffee shops. Coffee there are just so expensive and it is an absolute crime to spend money on just a single cup of coffee, something that you will be able to do at home. Lessen your trips to the coffee shops and you will find that you have a room in your monthly budget.

3. Take a walk or the sub
If you are so used to taking the taxi to work, now is the time to start walking and riding the sub. It’s not actually so hard. You just need to wake a little bit early so that you will have enough time to walk. Although it will definitely take more effort, commuting offers a lot of advantages. If you are on the plump side, you can already lose a lot of pounds when you do it. You can even forgo with your gym class because you are already getting the exercise that you need from it. If you are the fashionista, commuting can provide you with the chance to display your fashion sense.

Just imaging traipsing through the sidewalks of California or Manhattan. It will be a wonderful way to save that money.

Save Money On Travel

The country may be in a recession but there is an upside to it. Hotels and other resorts are slashing their rates by more than 50{c52a10b7e08e9c2d7a1926146b17d7677c51e665563998c7b5df51c724457d14} during the peak and off season which means you can take a vacation. But to do that, you have to know the different ways to save money if you decide to travel.

First, plan your vacation way ahead of time and travel to places that are not frequented by tourists at that time. During the summer, head to winter resorts instead of the beaches. If it gets too cold, go to places that are warm like the tropics.

Before you buy your ticket and book your reservation, go online and compare the rates of the different travel organizations. You may find a 3 day 2 night package to a destination of your choice that is less than $500 per person. You just have to look carefully through each one by not only looking at the price but also what is included in the package.

People who fly often on business can save money on travel by gaining more frequent flyer miles. After traveling a certain distance, you can redeem it which could get you a round trip ticket to a destination of your choice so check regularly how many miles you have earned.

If buying a ticket is not in your budget, take a road trip instead. You might enjoy seeing something nearby instead of flying hundreds of miles away. If you calculate the costs, the money you pay for gas and food could still be cheaper than going somewhere else. You can also save money if you decide not to stay in a hotel but rather camp out in a tent.

For people who do have the money for airfare, you can still save money by staying in a smaller establishment rather than a 5 star hotel. You have the option to rent a condo or an apartment that are bigger than hotel rooms and even have their own kitchen which allows you to cook.

Some locals even rent out a room or have a dorm that they can offer which is great especially if you and your group are going backpacking or simply want to save your money for other thrills.

If you are up to it, try what other people have done called house swapping. Here, you exchange your place with another homeowner for a few days. The nice thing about it is that you don’t pay anything for your stay.

You don’t have to take a vacation on the road or take to the air to have a great time. You can also take to the sea since there are cruises and if you get lucky, you could be a huge discount if there are some passengers who cancelled in the last minute which means there is room for you on board.

Chances are, you have probably made a bid on EBay or some other auction site and know the mechanics. Did you know some sites allow you to bid for a vacation? To win, you have to give the lowest bid which is the exact opposite of what you do when you bid online.

There are ways to save money on travel. You should compare the rates and consider your options before planning your vacation.

How To Save Money On Your Water Bill

Water conservation is a must these days because even if it is abundant, this is something we have to pay for as reflected in the water bill. Just like electricity and gas, this may go up or down on a monthly basis so you should know the different ways to save money for this utility.

The first way to save money will be to check for leaks. You can do this by inspecting the pipes under your kitchen sink or the pipes in your basement. Another test to check for leaks will be to turn off your water and inspect the rest of the house.

Another place that leaks frequently is the bathroom. The best way to check if there is a leak here is to use some food coloring and if the color should spread, it means one of the pipes has a problem and this should either be repaired or replaced.

While you are still in the bathroom, check your toilet . By placing a water bottle in the tank, you get to consume half the volume of water that you used to consume whenever you have to flush it.

People who have a water heater know that it takes time before warm water comes out of the shower. You can speed up the time it takes for the water to get warmer by insulating the pipes so hot water comes out once you turn on the knob.

Another way to save money will be to replace the old shower head with one of the water saving models and your faucet with a low flow faucet aerator. These things are not new and if you visit the hardware store, you will see the different models to choose from so just pick from the selection which one is the best value for your money.

Whenever you wash the dishes or take a shower, turn off the faucet first until it is time to rinse. The same goes when you are shaving or brushing your teeth because this can save 10 to 20 gallons of water which is a huge savings again on your water bill.

If you have to use the dishwasher or the washing machine, make sure to do it only when you have a full load. We all know that this is sometimes not possible so when this happens, adjust the water level so you will only use the correct volume rather than wasting it.

As for water from the washing machine, don’t just throw it away and instead use it to water the plants, clean the car or wash the driveway.

Unlike other things that you spend on, you can’t expect to switch from one water provider to another since there is only one in a given area. This means that you have to practice the different ways to save money so you don’t have to pay that much the next time you get your water bill.

If you review the different ways to save money as mentioned, these are things that anyone can do so you shouldn’t have any problems. In fact, leaks are normal due to wear are tear and this can be avoided if you inspect your pipes on a regular basis or have a local plumber do it.

How To Save Money At Home

With the global financial crisis that the world faces today, it is only natural for people to think of ways how to save money. Some do it by cutting down their expenses on their basic needs while other save money by making wise decisions about their investments.

If you are one of those who are thinking of ways to save money, the best place to start is at home. For people who spend most of their time at home, they have all the opportunities to save money through simple acts of conservation. For those who are barely at home, they can save money by having time to stay at home and do the things that they are used to do outside inside the confines of their abode. Here are some of the ways on how one can save money at home:

1. Cook and dine at home. People who are barely at home don’t realize it but eating out is one of the biggest chunks in their budget. This is because eating out would mean that you would be paying not only for your food but also for its preparation, the venue where you are eating it, the people who serve it to you and other additional taxes that the establishment charge you. If you cook and dine at home, you will save more money since you won’t be paying for these charges and you can even choose the ingredients for your food. Also, eating at home can also pave the way for healthier food choices not only for yourself but

2. Watch movies at home. Although watching is cinemas is not considered as a luxury, it can be if you do it too often. In these times of financial crisis, one of the best ways to save money is to stay at home to watch a movie. You can rent video cds of your favorite movies and watch it anytime of the day. The best thing about this is that you can do everything you want while watching the movie and nobody will make a fuss over it. And, unlike in the cinema where you are forced to finish a movie even if you don’t like it, at home, you can turn it off without regrets since you have not paid much for it.

3. Turn off appliances when not in use. Many people still don’t realize it but leaving appliances plugged to their outlets add up to the electricity bill since the appliance still consumes electricity. To save on electric bill, develop habit of unplugging appliance when not in use. Aside from saving up on electricity, you are also veering yourself as well as your family members out of the harm’s way when an accident happens that is caused by the appliance.

4. Invite friends to your house. This is one of the best ways to save money especially to younger people who are used to go out with their friends at night. Instead of meeting up your friends in some place, say a restaurant or a bar, why don’t you invite them at home and prepare something for them? in this way, you will save some money since you won’t have to pay for an entrance fee and for a drink in a bar or you won’t have to pay so much for the food that you won’t actually eat.

Save Money Giving Personalized Gifts

These days, one of the best ways to save money is to avoid buying things or items that you can make yourself. Through this, you have the control over the entire product as well as of the outcome of it. You can apply this when giving out gifts for people during special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, baptismal, or even in specific seasons such as Christmas, Valentines, or Thanksgiving.

Different people, different gift ideas

For many people, nothing beats the uniqueness and thoughtfulness of the person who gives out personalized gifts. And why not? Personalized gifts are made from the sincerity and creativity of one person. If you have the artistic knack and the time to create personalized gifts for the people close to your heart, the major consideration should include the age, the gender, and the personality of the individual. Here are some personalized gift ideas that are appropriate for age, gender, and even preferences.

For special someone—girlfriends, boyfriends, wives, husbands, or partners—something with a sentimental touch would do the work. For women, guys can give them a home-made perfume, a bouquet of flowers from your garden and you personally arrange, a fancy dinner wherein you cook the meals by yourself, an out-of-town trip where you will spend the money that you took time to earn, or a piece of accessory that you made by yourself. Women on the other hand can also give their respective partners custom made shirts and other apparels, memorabilia from their favorite sports teams, and a personal scrapbook of memories.

For grandparents, something that they can use will do. You can give your grandfather a coffee mug with his name scribbled in it or a special fountain pen with his name or favorite phrase engraved on it. For your grandma, make a slipper with her name on it or a commemorative plate with the photos of her grandchildren on it.

For your parents, something that will remind you of them will do. Give your mom items that she can use in the home such as a kitchenware, a quilt with your family’s memories, or a new set blankets of her favorite color. Personalized everyday items such as towels, pens, mugs, ashtray, or cigarette case are perfect gifts for your dad.

For your siblings, something that matches their personalities and preferences will do. You can give your male siblings a personalized shirt with his favorite image on it, accessories of his favorite material and color, and an autographed CD of his favorite band or artist. For the girls, give her cute and sentimental stuff such as her favorite book with the author’s signature on it, a personalized key chain or jewelry box.

For your cousins, give them something that would remind you both of your childhood days such as mugs, photo albums, key chains, stuffed toys, pens, and notebooks.

For your friends, something that will match their individual personalities, hobbies, and interests would do or general gift ideas like personalized picture frame with your best photos on it, a scrapbook that contains all of your fond memories since you have met, and something that you both love or share.

However, not all people have the time and the innate artistic knack to create a personalized gift. But, despite time constraints, getting gifts from stores that offer personalized pieces is also one of the best ways to save money on instead of buying the generic yet expensive ones.

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