There are still five months left of 2010, and there is still time to save up for the holidays. Here are 10 simple tips from MoneyTalksNews.
1. Lower your cell phone bill. It’s really not that difficult. Pay attention to how many minutes you are using. If you aren’t using them all, just switch to a cheaper plan. That could be a savings of 100 bucks by Christmas.
2. Get rid of your land line. If you do this, you can save up to $140. Want to keep it? Then go with a package with your Internet provider. It’s cheaper than the phone company. Also, take a look at Magic Jack. You can get unlimited calling for $2 per month, says MoneyTalksNews.
3. Staycation instead of a vacation. Explore your local area and save lots of money. You can still take a break from work and turn off the cell phone and computer. You can save $1,000 if you stay local.
4. Raise your insurance deductibles. Decide what you can afford to pay out of pocket and see what you can save. It could be as much as $250.
5. Get rid of the gym membership. Buy some cheap weights and work out at home. Or you can go for a jog or do some workout videos. You might save $150!
6. Drop cable or at least the premium channels. My husband and I decided not to get cable this time around and we’re saving big. You can save $60 to $600.
7. Sell some stuff. Go through your closets and get rid of clothes, CDs, books and even furniture. There are consignment shops, eBay, Craigs List or have a yard sale.
8. Save on food. Do some research, clip coupons and you can save hundreds on food.
9. Haggle. Don’t be afraid to negotiate. Ask for a better interest rate on your credit card, see if you can lower your cable bill or next time you stay in a hotel negotiate with them too.
10. Just carry cash with you. If you don’t carry credit cards, you’ll be surprised how much you can save in your pocket by Christmas. This will help you avoid impulse buys.