Since most people are trying to cut corners..

and save a few bucks, why don't we each list a tip/tips to save money. It can include but isn't limited to necessities. I will start.

Anytime I am getting ready to shop for paint and pick up paint sample cards I save them. After I pick out my paint I take the sample cards of the colors I didn't use and if it's something I think I might be interested in later in the future I punch a hole in the corner and slip it on one of those big key rings (the open and close clip kind). It has saved me a trip on one or two occasions because there was already a color I liked on the paint sample key ring that I have which saved me a trip to the store looking for sample cards. I arrange them by color so they are easy to look through.
For those colors that I know I will never be interested in, I save the sample cards and use them for different things when I scrapbook. You could also save them and if you need multi-colored confetti for something take a hole punch and get busy! lol

forgot to mention, you could also list a tip for saving on bills (electric or others)

*I dont use the amount that it calls for on the laundry detergant. Just expieriment, but you dont have to use the amount they say. usually about 1/2 of their recomendation is sufficiant. and pretreating stains (even if you just use a concentrated mixture of your detergant) will help ALOT.

*When you are low on milk, or to stretch it further, take 1/2 milk and 1/2 powdered milk and mix them together. Its fine for cereals for kids, and lots of recipies.

*add water to juice for babies and kids. it stretches it. Not alot of water, but some. (what you are buying is probebly not real juice anyway)

*make your own jelly's with juice. its easy and takes about 20 minutes.

*Buy a pork loin at sams or the butcher for 20.00. Then cut your own pork chops. package them in meal sizes and freeze. Do the same with family packs of meat. Buy big and divide up.

*save the teaspoon, or 1/2 a cup of veggies from each meal. freeze them and once every two weeks or so, make a soup.

In the winter time, we vent our dryer into the house with the leg of a stocking over the hose. It puts the heat right back into the house, and moisture too. Just be sure to clean the stocking out after every load or so. And put a small rug under it because the moisture will make a damp slippery spot on your floor.

In the summer, I dry my clothes on a clothes line. I used to hate doing it, but this year I made Scott put up one on a pulley system and now I can stand on the porch and fold them and stack them on the porch swing as I take them off. I don't have to lug them around the yard so I kind of like it.

I was just looking through this week's sale paper for our local grocery. They are adding 10% when you purchase a gift card of $300 or more. I think I may do this. I have over $300 accumulated from surveys and studies that can earn a quick 10% today.

We buy the Nestle singles to add to our water. I will get my big water bottle (6 cups I think) and only put 1 packet in it. It's quite weak, but it still gives my water a nice flavor. My kids also love flavored water and will drink mine. I would make them their own cup of a flavor they prefer (I usally drink a green tea one, so don't want to give that to the kids), and I only sprinkle a little bit in. It gives them enough flavor that they will actually drink it, and one packet will last a long time. I have started buying the kool-aid ones and am doing the same thing. I've used one packet so far, and got them 4 sippy cups (250ml) out of it. I actually think I can cut down further.

I am big about the electric bill... I am always walking around the house turning off the lights and turning off things that were left on... and it really does help. All of the lights around my house have compact floursent... If it is day time we don't turn on lights at all... the windows should be good enough. When I started doing this I was able to almost cut my electric bill in half!

adding on to the milk suggestion above, since Choc. milk is more expensive when i give some to my kid i mix it with half regular milk so she gets less sugar intake AND i dont buy as much choc milk.

keeps your shades closed in the summer if the window or porchdoor or whatever is getting direct sunlight. helps keep the house cooler and then dont have to use air as much.

If you use a swiffer sweeper, after one side is all done, flip it over and use the other side.

Here is a website dedicated to penny pinchin tips and whatnot i have gotten some good stuff on there.
http://www.pennypinching-grandma.com/index.html

Coupons and reading grocery ads. If I plan it right I can save lots! Also comparison shop. Ie my DH uses Edge shaving gel. Its regular price $2 at walmart, and $3 at Fred Meyer or Safeway. So if I have Edge coupons (I had $1 off lately) and know I will be at walmart I stock up. If I have to pick some up because he is out it will usually be at the $3 price, if I plan ahead and use coupons I can get them for $1 each - Basically buy on and get 2 free for planning ahead.

I know this will be common "cents" (ha ha) for many of you, but it took me a long time to even start thinking this way...it always seemed easier to just get it as I needed it...but the $1 here and $2 there really adds up over a month!

I now drink Kool Aid instead of juices. Since it is just me, I can make it as sweet or not so sweet as I want.

I keep my thermostat to 78, and use a ceiling fan at night. I also have a desk fan and a small fan to circulate the air in the living room and kitchen.

I don't eat out unless it is less than $2, that is spending my own money. Since I mystery shop, I mostly eat during shops. But in the rare case of no shops, I limit my meals to $2