Save Big On Purchases, A Little At A Time

Ray Martin Suggests Several Seemingly Small Steps That Can Add Up

(CBS)  Everybody's looking for ways to save a few bucks these days.

Luckily, just when you thought you couldn't pinch any more pennies, Early Show financial guru Ray Martin shared many tips Saturday on small changes that could result in big savings over time.

And that, he says, is they key: time. Martin says his suggestions could save a typical family more than $2,000 over the course of a year.

BRING YOUR LUNCH TO WORK - SAVE $1000

When looking to reign in spending, many people choose to eat out less often. That's a smart choice, because saving on even a few meals out each month can really add up. But Martin thinks workers also need to take a hard look at their lunch habits. He brings his lunch to work each day, and estimates at $5 a day, 5 days a week, 4 weeks a month, 50 weeks a year, he saves a total of $1000!

SUBSTITUTE VEGGIES FOR MEAT - SAVE $600

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a serving of beef costs $1.56; a serving of vegetables costs only 12 cents. If your family of four has meatless meals just twice a week, you'll save almost $600 a year!

TURN DOWN WATER HEATER - SAVE $220

Most people don't realize that heating water for showers and dishes accounts for a surprising 15 percent of their energy costs. There's an easy way to reduce those costs: Manufacturers often set water heater thermostats at 140 degrees. But your water will still be plenty hot if the thermostat is set at 120. Lowering the temperature from 140 to 120 can cut your energy costs by ten percent!

When you consider that the average household pays more than $2,000 a year for energy, that's a nice chunk of change. (The average household spends $2,200, according to the Alliance to Save Energy, so a ten-percent savings would be $220.)

BUY AUTO SERVICE GIFT CARDS - SAVE $120

Many auto service services chains, such as Jiffy Lube, sell oil change gift certificates at a discounted price. Recently, Martin found a Jiffy Lube selling oil change gift certificates for $25, a $12 savings off of the regular price of $37. He bought 10 gift certificates to cover the oil changes on two cars for a year. That adds up to $120 in savings ($12 x 10 = $120), and each gift certificates comes with a free car wash. Where can you get an oil change AND a car wash for $25?!

TRADE MAGAZINES WITH FRIENDS - SAVE $54

The average magazine subscription costs $27.30. Martin suggests asking friends which magazines they subscribe to and dropping the ones you both buy, then swap magazines with each other every month. If you cancel just two subscriptions, you'll save about $54.

PAY BILLS ONLINE - SAVE $150

Use your bank's online bill-pay service. That's something Martin does himself, and he is 100 percent confident that it's a safe, efficient way to make payments to your phone company, credit card company, etc. You'll save on checks and stamps. Also, because you can program the service to automatically make payments at the same time each month, you'll avoid late fees. And there's an additional bonus: no need to use gas for trips to the post office!

EVALUATE YOUR INSURANCE - SAVE $200

Raise your deductible on your auto and homeowners insurance to $500 or $1,000. Buy both policies from the save insurance company. That can save you to 10 to 15 percent, or $200 to $350 a year, according to Martin.

TOTAL ANNUAL SAVINGS: $2,344!

[hotwitch]

Already doing that.

Already doing that.

Already doing that.

TOTAL ANNUAL SAVINGS: $0.00!


Woo Hoo !

[cattlekate]

Another absurd so-called money-saving article that deals with the minutia most of us have already done.

How out of touch Mr Martin is.

Is it just me or have other people noticed more crime, robberies & burglaries being committed?

I''m reading about people who now punching holes in the gas tanks of cars parked on streets, and draining the gas, because they are so desperate. Every gas station I know of now demands pre-payment. Grocery stores now put little stickers on large items before you walk out the store, in order to prevent theft.

There seems to be a rising level of desperation out there, and the media will be the last to report it.