Frugal Notes

Take advantage of your credit card benefits!

I have an American Express Blue Cash card, and not only do I get cash back, but they provide rental car insurance for me, 90 day product protection (covers lost/stolen items) and even adds an additional year warranty on items I buy in full with the card.  I’ve used the warranty a couple of times, and after they investigate the claim, American Express just reimburses me via a credit on my bill with the original purchase price!

I’ve also been overcharged a couple of times, but submitting an online claim fixed things immediately.  Be sure to check if your credit card company provides similar benefits, as they can be very handy.

Read reviews before buying!

Once I find something I want, I lookup the model number all over the internet not just to find better prices, but read reviews.  Just because something is cheap, doesn’t mean it’s going to last long.  I’ve found that Amazon seems to be a great resource, and by buying better quality items, you don’t have to waste your money buying a replacement item, or fixing something that breaks easily.

Tired of $40 ink cartridges?

If you have an inkjet printer that seems to be bleeding ink all the time, and costs $40 per cartridge, consider refilling them at a local store like Walgreens, or even picking up generic ink tanks from eBay.  I have an old Canon printer that I love because I can pick up ink cartridges for less than a dollar per color on eBay, and they last a few hundred pages.

If you plan on printing a lot, you should also consider laser printers; the toner can be expensive, but it’s well worth it for some models as they can last a few thousand pages!  Make sure to read reviews before buying, so you’ll know if anyone complains about the ink usage.

Save some of that laundry water!

If you’re doing laundry and have the drain pipe in the sink like many homes do, put a bucket there so that you can get some water out of it.  Instead of immediately draining the laundry water, you can use it for plants, or even use it to wash dirtier items like rags.

Buy groceries on a full stomach.

Every time I go to Safeway, I make sure I’m full.  This prevents me from getting cravings, and I’m more likely to make smart purchases than impulse buying.  I usually shop for myself, so I make sure to grab just a basket so I buy less, and save time by running through aisles instead of driving a huge cart.

CFL Bulbs

Or “Swirly’s” as some people like to call them.  These bulbs last a long time, save a lot of energy, and are often cheaper than your traditional bulb (3 for a buck at the local hardware store).  I used to hate them because they weren’t that bright, but these have gotten much better over the years.  Try it out, you can dramatically lower your electrcity bill while helping the environment.

Use those legs and get some exercise!

Chances are you drive to work.  Have you checked into alternative methods of transportation?  I started walking to the bus station, and taking that instead to work.  I spend around $200 on transit fares (yes, 200), but get a much deserved walk out of it, and I’m saving money on gas and unncessary wear on the car.  New tires cost ~$300, oil changes are $30-40, other misc. items will add up even more.  By driving less, you can also limit your carbon footprint.

Make a One-Way Piggy Bank

No self-control? Get one of those old school piggy banks, the kind without plugs underneath it (you know, the ones that let you sneak money out of it).  This way, when you put money in, you’re more likely to save it because if you want access, you’ll have to smash the pig into pieces.  If you run into a windfall one day, shove the extra cash into the pig.