07.16.08 | 5 Ways you can be Penny Wise
Use the Library: The library is a great place to save money. Most libraries nowadays have internet access (although you have a time limit), periodicals, music catalogs, and obviously books. Library cards are also very inexpensive, if they even charge at all. Libraries are literary treasures and are underused. I go there to look up consumer report information on appliances while my colleague loves taking out books from Oprah’s book club list. My brother Dan loves music and takes out CD’s to listen to.
Hit grocery sales twice. The standard sales at a grocery store last 7 days (they generally run Friday – Thursday in my region). Wouldn’t it make sense for me to make a return trip back on Thursday night and hit that sale one last time? Most people couldn’t be bothered but over the course of the year you could save hundreds of dollars this way. This is like a giant coupon in and of itself, and you don’t need to clip it out of a paper.
Pay cash for gasoline. Did you know a lot of gas stations apply a surcharge when you pay for your gas by credit card? In some places they actually charge as much as 10 cents more per gallon! That is just crazy. It is the classic bait and switch tactic. Some gas stations have now been forced to post two prices at the pumps, but not every station is required to do so.
Get the right phone plan. If you don’t get the right plan it can cost you dearly! I had a 1400 minute plan with Verizon and discovered I only averaged 650 minutes each month (I have become a textaholic). They had a 700 minute plan that I moved to and saved myself about $20 per month. Do the math, that’s $240 more bucks in my pocket at the end of the year. Shame on me for not doing it sooner!
Pre-owned better than new Automobiles. Buying a quality pre-owned vehicle may save you thousands over a new one. Sales tax and excise tax will be considerably less, and of course the sticker price will be greatly reduced as well. Autos are a liability and a depreciating asset already; you might as well minimize the damage if you can.