How You Can Save Money in 2012

As each New Year arrives, I begin to look for new ways to save money! That’s right; I’m a saver and not an impulsive spender. I buy only what I need 90% of the time and the other 10% is for items I want but don’t necessarily need. I find it easy to save money if you save a little here and there. It all adds up at the end of the year. I want to share with you the ways I saved money in 2011 and will in 2012 in addition to searching for new ways!

#1 – Tithe 10%

Because I am a Christian and I believe in the biblical principal of tithing, I had to list this as the number 1 way I save money. You may say, but you are spending not saving when you write a check for 10% of your gross pay. It’s true, I am spending, but I see tithing as obeying God and sowing a seed. I know for a fact that since I have been doing this which is at least 10 years, God has always multiplied back what I have given. I have never missed the money I tithe, and I know that before I started tithing my funds were always depleted before the end of the month.

#2 – Never pay full price for anything

I always purchase 100% of everything I buy, food, gas, clothes, furniture, supplies, beauty supplies, etc …on sale and with coupons. Clothing is purchased from clearance racks of 50% or more (preferably more) off or at Goodwill or Salvation Army stores.

#3 – Use credit cards with cash back perks and pay bills online

I don’t recommend using credit cards to save if you are not disciplined with money management. You will not save money with credit cards if you purchase more than you are able to pay for at the end of the month. I use a Discover card and save money by earning cash back on purchases, and I never purchase over a certain pre-set amount that I know I can pay when the bill comes, therefore I do not pay interest on my credit card use. It also says me on writing checks and buying postage! I also use a credit card that allows me to save on gasoline purchases.

I use online bill pay with my bank also saving the cost of checks and postage. These savings can be significant.

#4 – Utilize employer 401k’s and other deferred annuities, Roth Ira’s, Mutual Funds etc…

I am retired now, but when I was employed I always signed up to have a % of my earnings sent to a 401k and other annuities. If your employer matches your contributions, you save even more money! Mutual funds are another way to save if you use a reputable investment manager. My point here is to always save some money towards your retirement or for a rainy day.

#5 – Use the internet to make money so you will have more to save

There are many ways to make extra money on the internet. If you like to write freelance articles, try VoicesYahoo.com. I have been a contributor at this website since 2009 and have made supplemental money, met new friends, and learned more about writing from the other contributors. If you like to take photographs and earn money from them, try iStock.com or Redgage.com which pay you per # of views on your content as does Yahoo Voices. I have also had success at Inboxdollars.com where you can earn money by reading emails, playing games, and completing surveys and offers. All of these little pots of money accumulate more than you may think!

#6 – Save your pennies, nickels, and dimes

This may sound trivial, but again it is a viable way to save and it does add up! I have a large box, and I put pennies, nickels, and dimes in it and have been doing this for years. I choose to keep going from year to year, but there are coin counters at local grocery stores where you can take your coins at the end of the year or anytime and exchange them for dollars and cents to add to your vacation fund, your lunch money fund or wherever you choose to use it.

#7 – Find ways in your community to save money

This is the most fun way I save money! I always attend free events in the county I live in such as free outdoor concerts, movies, festivals, parks, tours, etc… In other words, I rarely pay for my entertainment! Volunteering in your community is another great way to save money. I currently volunteer my time ushering at the Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, SC and the perk is I get to see all of the plays and events free! I recently donated blood (which I regularly do anyway) and received 2 free movie tickets which was their promotion! Some of your local restaurants may hold Bingo games and the winners get free food coupons, which a local fast food restaurant in my area does. Use your library and don’t purchase books. Go to the library to read your local newspaper free!

Just think “out of the box” and take advantage of the offerings in your community to find other ways to save! Make a game out of it to see how much money you can save in 2012 and beyond.


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