Way to Save #155: Breast-feed
Way to Save #155: Breast-feed

on December 20, 2009

Keep abreast of the cost of formula. You can spend $1,500 a year on formula. Breastfeeding is free and according to many, healthier too.

Way to Save #154: Consign Baby Clothes
Way to Save #154: Consign Baby Clothes

on December 19, 2009

Rent your baby clothes and supplies. Well, not actually rent perhaps, but practically. Buy your baby clothes, crib, stroller toys and other things at up to 75% off by shopping at consignment stores. When your baby outgrows them, consign them yourself and make part of your money back. You can even consign online: try www.kindercloset.com.

Way to Save #153: Homemade Baby Food
Way to Save #153: Homemade Baby Food

on December 18, 2009

Make your own baby food. There are plenty of free recipes online and in library books for food that is better than name brand because it won’t have as much salt, sugar and preservatives. It’s also infinitely cheaper.

Way to Save #152: Dump Disposable Diapers
Way to Save #152: Dump Disposable Diapers

on December 17, 2009

Washing your own diapers can save you a couple of hundred dollars in a year and your landfill will be happier too!

Way to Save #151: Free Or Discounted Pet Services
Way to Save #151: Free Or Discounted Pet Services

on December 16, 2009

Odds are you’re already paying taxes to subsidize some basic pet health services. Call your local Humane society or county facility and ask about discounted inoculations or other services.

Way to Save #150: Homemade Pet Toys
Way to Save #150: Homemade Pet Toys

on December 15, 2009

Make your own pet toys. Pets are like babies. They’re more likely to enjoy the box the toy came in than the toy itself. You’ve got plenty of interesting, entertaining and chewable items lying around the house already. You can grow catnip or find it cheap at herb stores.

Way to Save #149: Shop Pet Food
Way to Save #149: Shop Pet Food

on December 14, 2009

Unless your dog and cat read or watch a lot of TV, they probably won’t complain about getting generic food. Read the labels, and you’ll find that name brand pet food often has the exact ingredients at twice the price! Buying in bulk could also be a good idea, and don’t forget to try online … Continued

Way to Save #148: Adopt A Pet
Way to Save #148: Adopt A Pet

on December 13, 2009

Why would anyone pay a pet store for a furry friend when there are perfectly wonderful dogs and cats for free (or nearly free) at the Humane Society? Not only are you getting an inexpensive companion, you could be saving a life! But remember before you take one home that pets can be expensive. An … Continued

Way to Save #147: Homemade Cleaners
Way to Save #147: Homemade Cleaners

on December 12, 2009

Clean up on cleaners! You can often make your own cleaners that will save money and work just as well as their heavily advertised cousins. For example, combine 1/2 cup of ammonia, 1/2 cup vinegar and two tablespoons of cornstarch to a bucket of warm water and you’ll have a great window cleaner! And while … Continued

Way to Save #146: Reuse Aluminum Foil
Way to Save #146: Reuse Aluminum Foil

on December 11, 2009

Foiled again. Aluminum foil can often be reused.

Way to Save #145: Reuse Plastic
Way to Save #145: Reuse Plastic

on December 10, 2009

Plastic has a half-life of a million years. Wash and reuse plastic food storage bags.

Way to Save #144: Use Hand Towels
Way to Save #144: Use Hand Towels

on December 9, 2009

Save a tree or two. Use a clean hand towel in the kitchen instead of always reaching for paper towels.

Way to Save #143: Freeze Scouring Pads
Way to Save #143: Freeze Scouring Pads

on December 8, 2009

Freeze your scouring pads. They last longer that way.

Way to Save #142: Inexpensive Decorating
Way to Save #142: Inexpensive Decorating

on December 7, 2009

Sometimes you just need to change the look of a room. A new tablecloth can transform a dining room, and you’ll probably find one at the Salvation Army for $5. Plants are great decorations that you can get free by exchanging clippings with your friends. A plywood circle sitting on a round trash can look … Continued

Way to Save #141: Stop Being So Clean
Way to Save #141: Stop Being So Clean

on December 6, 2009

Americans can be obsessive when it comes to cleaning our clothes. Result? High dry-cleaning bills, high utility bills and high clothing bills. Nobody’s suggesting you should use body odor to cull your circle of friends, but the fact is that many items, especially the expensive-to-dry-clean-kind can often be worn more before we have them cleaned. … Continued

Way to Save #140: Buy Yesterday's Technology
Way to Save #140: Buy Yesterday's Technology

on December 5, 2009

One of the fundamental ways to save money is to buy yesterday’s technology. An older computer may not play Solitaire at the speed of light, but it will probably be perfectly adequate for the tasks normal people use computers for. And it will cost a fraction of the price of the newest, fastest models. Buying … Continued

Way to Save #139: Use Reusable Batteries
Way to Save #139: Use Reusable Batteries

on December 4, 2009

Charge it! Batteries that is. Reusable batteries cost more to buy, but can pay for themselves easily.

Way to Save #138: Do-It-Yourself
Way to Save #138: Do-It-Yourself

on December 3, 2009

If you own a home, buy how-to books and stop calling repairmen for everything!

Way to Save #137: Clean Your Own Carpets
Way to Save #137: Clean Your Own Carpets

on December 2, 2009

A carpet-cleaning machine is a great neighborhood co-op tool. Share the cost (maybe you can find one at a yard sale) with your neighbors and everybody on the block saves $100 a year or more in carpet cleaning costs.

Way to Save #136: Repaint In White
Way to Save #136: Repaint In White

on December 1, 2009

Painting is one of the few home improvements you can make that normally add more value to a home than it costs, assuming you do it yourself. White paint is usually cheaper, doesn’t fade, makes rooms look bigger and goes with more stuff.

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