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According to a 2019 report, 1/3 of Americans have more credit card debt than they do personal savings. On top of that, for the first time in history, we have more than $1trillion in credit card debt. If you’re one of the many people who contribute to these statistics, check out the following tips for how to stop wasting money.
1. Get an Older Phone
The latest and greatest phone models can run upwards of $900. If you opt for one version older, you can save hundreds of dollars. Your wallet will appreciate it, and you won’t lose any functionality or ability.
2. Never Pay Full Price
Basically everything goes on sale at some point. While it may not always be possible to wait for that, with a little planning you can save a lot on bigger ticket items. Check out our post on what to buy when.
3. Make Yourself Wait
Impulse purchases add up quickly. Set a dollar limit on what you’ll allow yourself to spend on impulse items. Anything over that, wait a few days. Chances are you’ll decide you don’t need it and save yourself some hard-earned cash.
4. Turn Electronics Off
If you’re not using it, turn it off. If it drains the power even when it’s off, unplug it. According to the National Resource Defense Council, the average US household spends $165 a year on electricity of items that aren’t even being used! Visit EnergySaver.gov for more tricks to save energy and money.
5. Shop in the Off-Season
Clothes and other seasonal items are significantly reduced at the end of the season. While this means you won’t always have the latest trends, if you focus on classic styles, that won’t matter. You’ll be able to spruce up your wardrobe for a fraction of the cost.
6. Use a Programmable Thermostat
By scheduling your heat and cooling based on when you’re home, you can save a lot of money on those costs. Using a smart thermostat like Nest can save you even more.
7. Invest in a New Fridge
If your fridge is older, you can quickly earn back the cost of a new refrigerator with the energy savings. Pro tip: fuller fridges are more efficient, so if you’ve got extra space in yours, fill it up with gallon bottles of water.
8. Avoid Shipping Fees
Most online retailers, including Amazon, offer free shipping for a minimum purchase price. If you can add something to your cart, that’s less than the difference between your purchase price and that minimum, do it. Also, Target, Home Depot, and similar retailers often offer free shipping if you have it delivered to a local store.
9. Pay More Than the Minimum
Over the life of your loan/credit card, you’ll save a lot of money this way. How much depends on your interest rate and the length of time. Plus, you’ll pay off your debt quicker this way.
10. Take Advantage of Rewards Programs
Most big retailers, and even some local ones, have rewards programs. If you’re a frequent shopper, signing up is well worth the time.
11. Install Honey
Honey is a Chrome extension that scours the web and finds discount codes for you. When you check-out, Honey automatically applies them to your cart.
How many of these money-saving tips will try this year?
