I often hear people say that they just “can’t save money because it’s too hard” or they are “barely surviving so how can they save?”. What most people don’t realize is that saving money is not as hard as we make it out to be. Yes, in some cases, it may mean changing a habit (or three!), but that’s when you’ll really need to decide whether saving money is truly important to you or not.
Today we are looking at simple ways to save money in your regular day to day activities that will yield $20.00. Keep in mind that this would be $20.00 total for the day, not $20 each action. Why $20? It’s a nice round number and easy enough so that anyone can do it. Some of these ideas will yield savings on a daily basis and others will allow you save once or twice.
Simple Ways To Save $20 Today
Pack your child’s school lunch
Most schools charge around $2.25 for lunch. You can pack a school lunch for around .40¢ per day if you’re careful. If you need some great lunch ideas check out this round-up of 25 Easy School Lunch Ideas!
Total Savings: $1.85
Skip Starbucks
Do you own a coffee maker? I’ve yet to see an American household that didn’t. Skip Starbucks at $5.00/cup and make your morning java at home. If you use a *Keurig
Total Savings: $6.20
Air up the tires on your car
Did you know that a car with tires that are not properly inflated use around 11% more gas than those that are properly inflated? That means that for a $40.00 fill up, you’ll save $4.40 just by making sure that the air pressure is correct.
Total Savings: $10.60
Clean with vinegar and baking soda
There is very little that white vinegar and a box of baking soda can’t clean, not to mention that they’re a lot healthier for your family than mainstream cleaning supplies. Make the switch to vinegar and baking soda and you’ll be sparkly clean for a lot less too. A 24 oz bottle of Windex at Walmart will cost you around $2.84. A gallon of vinegar and box of baking soda will run you around $2.50 total. Total savings: (for the same ounces): $5.05 (based on the Windex price above at 64oz to match the gallon of vinegar)
Total Savings: $15.65
Drink water from a reusable water bottle
At $1.50 or more per bottle, drinking (3) 20oz bottles of water per day can get really expensive, really quickly. Instead, use a reusable water bottle or pitcher and watch the savings add up. If you don’t own one, *Brita makes really inexpensive filtered water bottles and pitchers that you can purchase. Yes, you may be spending money to begin with, but in the long run you’ll save much more than what you invested.
Total Savings For All Actions In One Day: $20.15
See? That was incredible easy! Just a couple minor tweaks and you’re off and running on your savings track! Imagine if you did this with other things you spend money on. The savings potential are endless!
What else would you add to this list? Please comment and share below, I’d love to hear from you!
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Check out more money saving tips:
Save the washing machine final rinse water and use it to wash the next load of clothes. Dilute good quality shampoo and condtioner by up to 50%. It still works really well. Make your own foaming hand wash by diluting shower gel one part shower gel to four parts water. Make your own laundry powder with grated soap, washing soda and bi carb. Dry clothes on clothes airers. Place them over ducted heating vents and wrap a sheet around it. The clothes will be dry in no time for free in Winter.
[…] Simple Ways to Save $20 Today by The Latina Homemaker […]
Cleaning with vinegar has replaced all of my cleaning products almost. These tips are great. Dropping over to visit from Frugal Friday Link Up.
Indeed! The little things do add up to big savings. I’d add to limit your driving as much as you are able and make the most of your miles when you do drive. Many of us have to drive to work, but then, go grocery shopping on the way home rather than making a separate trip. If you do stay at home, it’s easier (some days) to limit your driving. The gallons of gas saved add up quickly!
My dad sometimes made us clean with vinegar and water growing up, so I remember that tip. It’s served me well. Good stuff on this list.
Thanks Keisha! Vinegar is awesome for cleaning!
I love cleaning my tub with vinegar and dish soap, as it’s the only thing that’s actually worked for me so far! I keep forgetting to add baking soda to the mix when I go to clean it, though. I’m sure that would make it even easier!
I had no idea about the air in tires! Thank you for the info.
Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com