Money saving tips

With the credit crunch I am starting to gather some money saving tips - here are a few of mine, please tell me your money saving tips, everything helps at the moment it really does - thanks

Money Saving Tips on Your Daily Essentials
Bag your lunch. At £6.00 each work day you are spending more than £1,500 annually on junk food that expands your waist line and reduces your bank balance.

Instead of eating breakfast on the way to work, try eating breakfast at home instead. 

Brew coffee at home. On average a cup of coffee costs £1.75. Throw in a pastry and you could be looking at more than £3.00.

 Skip the mid-morning vending machine stop. Instead, pack a snack.
 

Money Saving Tips for your Home
Eliminate extra phone services such as call waiting - unless you are avoiding a persistent ex!

Consider a DVD subscription service. For about £10 each month up to 3 movies are delivered to your door and there are never any late fees.

Experiment with own make brands. More is not always better.

Purchase family packages of chicken, ground beef and turkey. These are often cheaper than smaller packages and can be divided and frozen for later use.

Plan meals. This will end the daily, “what’s for dinner” dilemma that often ends with a call to the expensive local carry out. Another benefit, with planning comes leftovers good for lunch or dinner for another night.

Check your clothing labels. Use the gentle cycle or hand wash items to save on dry cleaning bills.

If you have kids, instead of buying lots of expensive toys, consider buying less toys, and then swapping toys with friends and family.  Kids often lose interest with their toys, but have a greater interest in new toys.  By swapping, you can increase the frequency of new toys without spending any additional money.

Turn down the temperature in your house in the winter, and raise it during the summer.  Also reduce the temperature of your hot water heater.
 

General Money saving Tips
Avoid impulse or sale purchases.

Arrange an overdraft facility permanently on your account.  If you run short you will not be charged any unauthorised overdraft fees and charges.

Never enter a store without a predetermined spending limit.

Don't use cash point machines that charge a fee

Don't take cash out on your credit card, the interest charges are weighted against these expenses and there is normally a charge associated with it.

Give yourself a pocket money allowance. Your spending should not exceed your allowance. After the money is gone, it’s gone.

Credit card debt has one of the highest rates of interest you can pay.  Don't just pay the minimum monthly charge, but try to pay your credit card in full. 

Don't buy things you really don't need. When shopping, only purchase what you planned on buying.  If you find something else you want, hold off on the purchase until the next time.  That way, you can have some time to think if the item is really something you need.  Also, you can then check if it is within your budget.
 

Hope these help, please add more