What Is the Best Everyday Saving Trick in 2008?

December 12, 2008

Saving money is something we know is good for us, but it's not always the easiest thing to do. We've been sharing tips all year in an effort to make saving an everyday habit, but because money is so personal, what works for one person might not be the best option for another. If there's one thing that deserves a spot in the Best of 2008, it's the little saving efforts that have helped us become more financially secure. Which is your favorite go-to trick?

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25 Comments

thelorax 4 years 22 weeks

Definitely bringing lunch to work - and having more home-cooked meals in general. Going out isn't an everyday necessity, it's a treat! And now it's even more enjoyable when I DO go out to eat.

aimeeb 4 years 22 weeks

Bringing lunch of course!

dreamer720 4 years 22 weeks

Bringing lunch to work. By doing this I end up eating a little bit healthier too than if I was to buy lunch.

Kat E 4 years 22 weeks

I think public transportation should be an option. When I first started my job, I drove my car to work, I had to spend about $100 a week just to park it, and about $25 a week on gas! Now I know the fastest bus routes and I only spend $40 a month for a bus pass. Talk about huge savings! As far as the option available go, definitely bringing lunch. I usually look for the deals at the grocery store on lean cuisines when they're 5 for $10 and stock up for the days when I don't have time or forget to make my lunch.

dcfashionista 4 years 22 weeks

I chose Bringing lunch to work. I have started bringing my to lunch to work. I went to the grocery store and have all my supplies to do so. It beats paying between $5-$7 for lunch a day.

GlowingMoon 4 years 22 weeks

Truthfully, for me, none of the above. The trick that did it for me was using Quicken software to manage our personal economy. Every penny (I'm not kidding) is tracked. If there is any area (dining out, utilities, etc) is hemorrhaging money, I will know about it. And for damn sure, my husband and I will correct the problem. :)

gigill 4 years 22 weeks

I saved so much money by bringing in my lunch - best way to save in my humble opinion.

Glittersniffer 4 years 22 weeks

I'm not working, so I go debit only. The CC is for emergencies.

JaimeLeah526 4 years 22 weeks

All of these are great but the automatic savings really works for me. I have Bank of America round up and every time you spend money it gets rounded up the nearest dollar and that money goes into your savings. It's so simple.

ECULeah 4 years 22 weeks

I'm a hardcore comparison shopper! If it's out there, I will find the lowest price (I love Amazon).

Mintie 4 years 22 weeks

Bank of America's Keep the Change

LoveSarah 4 years 22 weeks

Some times it not as cost effective to bring my lunch to work, but that's only because my work offers employee meals for $2. I have honestly saved a lot by using coupons, as annoying as it is, but every bit helps.

candace87 4 years 22 weeks

All of those are good... I'm not too sure about debit only though, because a lot of people will go into overdraft without knowing. I chose bringing a lunch to work. I couldn't even tell you the number of times people have told me how they hate spending so much money on food at lunch ($5 for a slice of pizza? come on!), yet won't put in the effort to simply put together a homemade (probably healthier) lunch the night before or even in the morning before work or school.

margokhal 4 years 22 weeks

When I lived in my apartment, unplugging the electronics and being careful about using lights DEFINITELY kept the utility bills from being as much of a sinkhole as they were. Now that I'm living at home, I think comparison shopping has helped the most.

Antioxidant 4 years 22 weeks

Bringing your lunch to work consistantly, and automatic savings have helped me sooooo much.

lemamike 4 years 22 weeks

all of the savings are good but i think bringing lunch to work is the most consistent. you know you can probably save at least $5 per day on bringing your lunch. while cash and debit are good and clipping coupons too I don't think theyre as consistent. you wont always find coupons for the things you need and while you can allot yourself cash, something might come up where you need to spend it.

Misalady 4 years 22 weeks

Aside from bringing lunch to work, I would say that saving all your change is one of the best tips. I don't spend any change, it all goes into my cash cow (piggy bank that's shaped like a cow). Last time I cashed mine in, it had over fifty dollars in it.

will205 4 years 22 weeks

i say going cash; you have to make it last, and it helps to control useless spending. i also dump my pennies into a jar on my desk on a daily basis - i like to call it my "visual savings program" :-)

Spectra 4 years 22 weeks

I'm going to say bringing your lunch to work and comparison shopping. Sometimes you can find identical items at different stores and the prices are completely different. Unplugging electronics probably wouldn't save me serious dough because we don't have too many appliances to unplug. I'm guessing we'd save a couple bucks a month, tops. Whoop de doo.

lilkimbo 4 years 22 weeks

I keep saying I'm going to start bringing my lunch to work. I would probably save about $50 a week, even if I figure in the cost of groceries.

bleached 4 years 22 weeks

I've been a lunch bringer since I was in kindergarten... You save so much money and you get to watch what you eat!

CaterpillarGirl 4 years 22 weeks

Bring. Your. Lunch. To. Work.

ilanac13 4 years 22 weeks

i think that if you are able to take cash out each week and that's all you have to spend - then you realize that you're more aware of what's going out and you can save more.