Save big with these easy tips!
Spend less at the supermarket.
Leave credit cards at home when you do your next grocery run. One study showed that people who said, “Charge it!” spent $10.53 more than those who paid in cash. The study also showed that people who used plastic were more likely to buy nonessential items.
Watch those ATM fees.
More banks, including Bank of America and Chase, now charge a whopping $3 fee to use their ATMs if you don’t have an account with them. That doesn’t include fees your bank might add; Citibank, for example, charges $1.50 if you have an account there but use another bank’s ATM.
Stop costly cell-phone spam.
It’s annoying to have to delete spam text messages, and if you don’t have a text messaging plan, you might be charged up to 20 cents a pop. Stop the spam by calling your carrier and go to www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html to file a complaint. You can also register your cell phone number at www.donotcall.gov. And be careful about downloading ringtones and games from third parties, which can lead to spam and even identity theft.
Get out of a cell-phone contract.
Want to drop your cell phone plan before it expires to take advantage of a better deal? Major carriers, including T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, now prorate their termination fees. For example, if you have three months left on a two-year contract with T-Mobile, you will pay $50 rather than the full $200. Not exactly a bargain, but if you’re desperate to ditch your carrier, it may be worth doing.
Cut down on food waste.
Check dates on food at the grocery store so that your family doesn’t get sick and so you don’t waste money on food that has gone bad or is close to it.
Save money on oil changes.
Many auto-service shops tell you to change the oil every 3,000 miles. However, most cars these days require one only every 7,500 miles. Check the owner’s manual.
Avoid ticket rip-offs.
To get around overpaying for tickets to popular shows and events, watch for presales, when you might be able to buy tickets before they’re offered to the public, sometimes at a discount. To take advantage of a presale, you probably will need a password sent in an email by the venue, artist, or Ticketmaster. One way to get in on presales is to join an artist’s fan clud online or a pay a fee to PresalePassword.net or Presalenow.com. Credit card promotions can also save you money. American Express, Visa Signature, and MasterCard offer some cardholders first dibs, preferred seats, and discounts to events.
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Everette
05.18.09 at 10:56 am
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