11 Ways to Save Time and Money
Time versus money
Saving money so often comes with a different kind of price: your time. But with these strategies, culled from the U.S. News Frugal Shopper blog, you'll be able to save your cash and have more time to enjoy those savings, too.
Skip sales.
When retailers are loudly screaming at you (via advertisements) to visit their store and shop, you can just say, "no," and save yourself the price of those un-purchased items and the time of the visit. As Stefanie O'Connell, blogger at thebrokeandbeautifullife.com, points out, "just because something is on sale doesn't make it a good deal or worth buying."
Spend less time at the store.
Some shopping trips are necessary -- we all need groceries, after all -- but Karen Cordaway, blogger at MoneySavingEnthusiast.com, recommends getting in and out of stores as speedily as possible to avoid any temptations. Writing a list and sticking with it can help, she says.
Avoid high-priced extracurricular activities.
If you're a parent, then you probably already know how quickly the expense of extracurricular activities can add up. That's why O'Connell recommends skipping the pricey classes and instead look for equivalent offers at the local community center, public school or even community college.
Be aware of new scams.
Getting your identity hijacked can eat up hours of your time as you try to sort out the aftermath with various financial institutions and credit bureaus. To minimize your chances of that unpleasant experience, be especially wary of emails from strangers, advertisements for weight loss and solicitations for charities, warns Jon Lal, founder and CEO of BeFrugal.com.
Eat at home.
Not only do you spend a lot of money when you go out to eat, but the trip also takes up a significant amount of time: You have to travel to the restaurant, order and then eat. Instead, stay home and try Savings.com editor Susan Yoo-Lee's winter soups, meatless entrees or green juice recipes.
Plan ahead.
Whether you're thinking about birthdays or holiday gifts, planning ahead by writing a list of what you intend to buy can save you both money and time, partly because it prevents you from the dreaded double-purchase. A little organization can go a long way toward preventing waste.
Take advantage of your phone.
If you are going to coupon and price compare, as any shopper should, you can save yourself plenty of time and a headache by using an app that helps you track coupons and lowest prices, such as RetailMeNot and Brad's Deals. Amber Sager of Offers.com also suggests using your phone to park for less with apps like SpotHero and to save on gas with GasBuddy.
Schedule automatic payments.
Instead of wasting time writing and mailing out checks each month, set up automatic payments. That way, you can spend time on an activity you enjoy rather than stuffing envelopes -- and you can stop buying as many stamps, too.
Avoid waste.
Any time you buy something and don't use it, you're wasting your money as well the effort that went into the purchase. Cordaway suggests keeping waste to a minimum by using what you buy when it comes to groceries, clothing and anything else. On the food front, planning out meals in advance can help.
Use affordable subscription services.
Monthly subscription services like Birchbox and Stitch Fix are growing in popularity right now, and for good reason: For busy people who don't have time to shop, the products come right to their doorstep each month, and often with deep discounts attached. A variety of clothing subscription services exist for both men and women and different types of products, from snacks to technology, are popping up all the time.
Entertain yourself and your family for less.
With all this time you're saving, you might be able to devote more of it to fun. To keep your entertainment budget in check, take the advice of John Schmoll, founder of Frugal Rules, and enjoy local hikes, high school football nights and picnics.
