1. Buy old.
Save money by purchasing a used car and computer. These items sharply depreciate as soon as you take them home. And, sadly, they only remain stylish until the next model goes onto the showroom floor.
2. Keep a penny jar.
Your spare change adds up. The amount of pennies, nickels and dimes tucked away under your couch cushions can be put to good use. Keep these coins in an electronic money jar, a device that both stores and counts your change. (See: Electronic Money Jar at Target) Then, at the end of the year, deposit your savings into the bank.
3. Be a lender, not a borrower.
This statement is straight out the bible. Whenever possible, don’t borrow money from anyone – including family. The exchange of funds in this way usually leads to trouble because life is uncertain. Only in the instance of buying a house or that dream car, should you sign loan paperwork.
4. Pay with cash.
Use cash for daily purchases and save your debit/credit card for large purchases. This allows you to see what is going in and out of your wallet. Also, in some cases you get a discount. (See: Pay Cash and Ask for a Discount) Dentists offer lower prices to clients who shell out the green versus plastic to pay for services.
5. Dine in.
What’s in your refrigerator? As a rule, you should eat in regularly. The cost of taking your family (or self) to a decent restaurant is high. Also, dieticians state that this practice helps over-eaters better control their waistline.
By employing these old school ways to save money, you win. None of them require a lot of brainpower – just willpower. Get more ideas about how to reduce spending by reading How To Be a Cheapskate, Spend Less in 2013 and Six Debt Reduction Tips.