10 Ways to Save Money - $5,000 Money Saving Mama Challenge

10 ways to save money to jump start your savings account!

Look here for the best ways to save money - just a little here and there - for all stay at home moms or those interested in putting a savings plan into action, no matter what your income currently is.

Saving money seems so difficult when you are already living paycheck to paycheck.

Many are looking for the easiest ways to save money, but adding additional funds to a savings account can feel like an overwhelming task.

However, there are ways to save your hard earned pennies that don't actually involve spending less.

Try these 10 ways to save money and see if it doesn't make a difference in your finances.

---

Ways to Save Money All Year Long

1. The Automatic Transfer
This is probably the most of effective of the 10 ways to save money. All it takes is having money automatically transferred to your savings account each paycheck. Some employers will allow you to split your direct deposit into more than one account. If not, get automatic transfers set up at your bank.

2. Save that Fiver!
Don't spend $5 bills. Use cash on all your purchases and every time you get a five dollar bill in change, put it in a savings envelope to deposit at the end of the month.

You'll find that by saving that fiver you can get $100+ a month on average, and it's one of the best ways to save money!

3. Grocery Cash Grab
This tip may be one of the 10 ways to save money that people overlook the most. Every time you go to the grocery store, get an extra $20 out with cash back and stash it in a savings envelope to deposit at the end of the month. It'll add up quickly!

4. 401k Freebie
Take advantage of employer matching funds for 401Ks or other savings vehicles. This is like free cash and definitely a favorite of the 10 ways to save money.

5. Round Up Rally
When you subtract a check or debit purchase from your check register, round up to the nearest dollar. This little gem of advice will cushion your checking account, add up over time, and is one of the secrets of the best ways to save money.

6. The Change Jar
Do you always have change jingling in your pocket or cluttering up your purse? Here is another one of the best ways to save money-put all your spare change into a jar.

If you really want to make it a challenge to get to, get an old water cooler bottle and use that. The small opening makes it difficult to get to the money out on a whim and cashing it in every few months can contribute hundreds to your savings account over time.

7. Make Friends with the ATM
Make the ATM a friend you visit at the beginning of the week. Take money out of the ATM one time at the beginning of the week in order to pay for all your purchases except for regular bills. Any left over money at the end of the week goes into your savings, not your checking account.

8. Less is More ...Money
We all love to eat out, but if you are visiting your favorite restaurant three or four times a month, it can definitely take a toll. Try to eat out one less time per month, or replace going out to the movies once a month with a DVD rental.

Take the extra cash from this simple life style change, deposit it into savings, and you'll be amazed at your extra cash. This is such a popular top 10 way to save money that you may already be doing this.

So step it up a notch then! This process can be used for reducing any expense, whether it is cutting out cable, an unused gym membership or reducing energy consumption.

9. Sell! Sell! Sell!
This technique of the 10 ways to save money cannot be left out. Let's face it. All stay at home moms love a good sale. Why not put one of your own on?

Go through the house and find stuff to sell at a yard sale, eBay, or Craigslist. This is one of the best ways to save money because you're making money! But remember to put the funds made from the sale into your savings account.

10. Bye, Bye Debt, Hello Savings!
Of all of the 10 ways to save money, this is the one that should make you feel the greatest. You've struggled and struggled to pay off your debt and now you finally have.

Take the money you were paying and make a contribution monthly to your savings account instead. What a great feeling to know that money is going to you and not some credit card company!

Many stay at home moms do find it difficult to spend less when they are already working so hard to stay within budget. Just keep these 10 ways to save money in mind, and you'll be surprised at all the little ways you'll find to save more.

---

Money Saving Resources

Use the following resources to help you on your path towards saving money all year long.

1. More pages on Stay-a-Stay-at-Home-Mom.com:

Why Save Money?

Inspirational Saving Money Quotes

Teaching Kids About Money

Giving Back to Your Community

Online Checking Accounts

Planning for Retirement

Invest Your Savings

Save for College Education

Do You Have Unclaimed Funds?

2. Debt Proof Living:
Several years ago, when I was first exploring ways to save money (and get out of debt) I came across the teachings of Mary Hunt and her program, Debt Proof Living. She has some fantastic resources available at her site that I am sure you will want to take advantage of in your quest to save. Make sure you check out the calculators on her site.



3. Rayven Recommends these books on Amazon:

---

What ways do you save money?

---

Sneak Peak at Next Week

Like this section on 10 Ways to Save Money all year long? Next week we'll be talking about how to get in shape without going broke.

Not part of our $5,000 Money Saving Mama challenge? Sign up for updates below so you don't miss even a single money-saving week.



Home==>$5,000 Money Saving Mama Challenge==>10 Ways to Save Money