I have been engaged in a bit of research on the numerous tactics to save cash and have discovered several good ideas amongst the ones that are not so valuable.



Suggestions that are not so valid are those that are unrealistic (?pay off your credit cards now and save interest? which you would have done if you could), corny (coupons and rebates and silly stuff such as that) and too much of a sacrifice (take public transportation, etc)

So, here are a few worthwhile ideas?

1.AVOID BRAND NAMES ? Do you actually need Betty Crocker cooking oil when you can purchase the exact same product less expensively made by Albertson's? Multiply that across peanut butter, toilet paper (Target has the best!), other paper products like cups, breakfast cereal and you are looking at significant savings with no sacrifice!

2.LEAVE THE CREDIT CARDS HOME WHEN YOU GO TO THE BAR! ? Drink less, be less of ?Mr Big Spender?, feel better in the morning!

3.USE VOIP ? What's VOIP? Voice Over Internet Protocol. If you use SKYPE for example, it costs essentially zero and you can hold onto the expense of a traditional phone line. If you connect to the internet using Cable TV then you won't need a phone line at all.

4.GET PAID BY DIRECT DEPOSIT/ACH ? Why does this save cash? Have you ever deposited a check and not taken a bit of money out? If you use direct deposit then you won't have that temptation!

5.PAY YOURSELF FIRST ? This is more a savings plan then a way to save on items you are paying for but it is all about more cash for you, right? Take 10% of each paycheck off the top and plunk it into a different account that you don't touch. And FORGET it is there. You will discover that you get by just as well without it and actually accumulate some savings. Some ways to do this? if you got a raise plunk that additional income into that account. If you paid off a debt continue to pay it but to yourself. Think of some ideas of your own.

6.SAVE ON AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING ? Run the thermostat at the lowest energy level (like at 50 degrees in the Winter) during the night and have a room heater. I have a tiny room heater that I purchased at the variety store for $22. That thing cranks. I hardly have to have it above the lowest level and it is enough to heat the room.

7. OPTIMIZE YOUR FUEL CONSUMPTION ? Properly using water in your gasoline system can save you up to 1/3 off gas expenses for your auto by making the gas you buy perform better. If you pay $40/week for gas you might just save $600 or more per year!