What are some good money saving tips in this economy?

This is a GREAT question!

I'm a coupon user I get the Sunday paper, online coupons and checkout the local stores for rebates. Walgreens is my store of choice it's close by and they have the monthly money-saver online so I can plan out my savings! Walgreens uses their own coupons that you can combine with other coupons for even more savings. They also offer 10% MORE back if you load it on a Walgreens giftcard... Easy to do online! I get make-up, shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste etc... FREE ! Just depends on what's on sale or FREE.. I do that a lot and then with the money-back on the giftcard I've gotten refills for my computer for both blkwht/ and color refills it was about $15 for BOTH....

I also sign-up at company websites and get coupons online, in the mail etc.. Just be sure that you can use online printed coupons at your local store... I also use coupons when shopping online. I'll find what I want and then look for online coupon codes... For example: this past christmas- I bought my children a toy giftset that normally cost $50 a piece.. I wanted one for each of them.. So, I waited and the sets went down 50% then I looked online for some additional codes..This particular store lets you use 2 at a time.. So, I had an additional 30% off AND FREE SHIPPING so I got BOTH sets for under $20 ! PLUS I shopped in my pj's and didn't deal with snow and people !

We also- to save money on our electric/gas etc... We turned down the thermostat to about 65 degrees and wear warmer clothing... Also we don't run two big appliances at the same time... For example: when I do laundry I will run the washer and NOT the dryer at the same time... Instead, I'll run a load of laundry that goes in the dryer ... While the dryer is running I'm SOAKING the next load... My clothes come out cleaner/brighter. On the same vein to save money on laundry soap I use the obvious coupons AND I use 1/2 the amount and add 1 cup of baking soda to the wash. 12 lbs. of BS costs about $4 and can be used all over the house! So, a traditional 90 load container of laundrysoap will last me 125-150 loads... Quite a bit of savings!

We also run our dishwasher at night on time delay- so it's using HOT water and electricity in the off-peak time. Just by NOT running all my major appliances at the same time saves roughly 50% on our electric costs.. .Our bill last year was $114.00 a month running everything together.. Now it's about $75.00 a month.. depending on if we are running out A/C or electric baseboard heat...

We also grocery shop at Bulk/discount stores.. We split our Bj's membership with another family (giving them the "spouse" card) and upgraded to the rewards card which normally is $86 but, we had a coupon for 50% off and an extra 4 months! So, for around $40 we get 2% back of everything we purchase including the family we split with AND we get extra money-saving coupons...! We have already gotten back over $100 so the membership has paid for itself double...

We buy meat in bulk and lucked out they had some PURDUE split chicken breasts on clearance for under $1 a lb ! Ditto with some drumsticks/thighs... So, we stocked up and saved $2-$3 a lb. ! We also bought some discounted mozarella cheese 3- 5lb. bricks for $5 a piece and used them to make all sorts of dishes.... I also buy my cleaning/laundry supplies in bulk and save a bundle. Especially, when Bj's does it's own coupons.. For example: usually around spring they have all sorts of deals on cleaning supplies... In the Bj's coupons you can save $2 on a gallon sized windex w/ filled sprayer... Normally, it's $6.99 for the gallon/sprayer- I get coupons from SC Johnson 2- $2 off coupons for any WINDEX product.. I can use all three coupons saving $6 off the price.. I pay .99 cents for a gallon+ of WINDEX. I also do this with PLEDGE, SCRUBBING BUBBLES, LYSOL, GLADE and AIRWICK and other household cleaners. Or if you want to go more green.. Use vinegar, baking soda to clean the house.... I haven't gone "green" I don't like the products!

With rebates and coupons I save an avg. of $200.00 + a month !

Pack your lunch you'll save a bundle just by brown-bagging it.. Or have a day where everyone brings a little something to share. Drink ice-t or water instead of buying pop/snacks etc from the vending machine or going out to eat.. Make coffee at home or bring in a coffee pot to make coffee... Heat up hot water for cocoa or tea.... Just think you can save $5-$10 a DAY just by bringing things from home... You could easily save $100 or MORE a month !

Carpool with people you work with and share the expense of gas and wear n tear on vehicles... Or take public trans. whenever possible.

Instead of buying books, magazines- cd's, dvd's... Rent them or get them for FREE at the local library. I have a friend that buys books weekly spending $20-$30 a week if not more... She also buys DVD's blu-ray ones and spends another

No, you are not alone believe me. I don't buy bags of fruit now, after feeding a family of six. I buy, say; three lemons, three or four apples, and bananas. And I'll buy one piece of a larger steak cut and freeze the other half. I buy bacon from the deli section, maybe just two slices, and use it for the exact meal I want. I write down my meals a week in advance, so then I can get exactly what I want for each meal. Chinese meals (stir fry) are cheap too, and there are a lot of good recipes. Cleaning products are so expensive. I try to buy bigger containers, divide them and add water and some lavender oil. Also, store brands are not always the cheapest.Turning lights off when you are not in the room helps. I use pay as you go, for my cell phone have have a 'text bundle', I don't use my cell to call. And calling cards to phone National and International. Much cheaper.Stoves with gas tops and electric ovens save money. Also, pull plugs out of the walls when you are not using the appliance.Use one lamp when watching TV. Use the whole roast on Sunday, and then mix it in a salad combination on Monday, especially chicken. Lamb can be done again with rice on Monday. Sorry I can't be more of a help. I make my own cleansing lotions and body lotion with Aromatherapy oils. Then you have more left to buy a good foundation/lipstick etc. Lets hope the suppliers are too busy counting their money to look at Yahoo!

Also look at your phone bill if you have a landline. Usually there is a lot of stuff on there that you don't need. If your cell gives you free long distance you don't need that on your house phone.

The clothes thing is a biggie as that uses up more energy than anything else in the house by far. You can hang up the clothes until they are just slightly damp and then put them in the dryer to fluff them up.

Set your dishwasher to not heat dry after washing. That uses a lot of energy. iFyou only have a couple of things hand wash.

Your hot water heater is continuously heating water. There is a switch where you can turn that down. Most people have that set way to high. You can turn it down a tidge and still have hot water.

Things that trickle charge need to be unplugged as it adds up. I realized that I have 6 portable phones in the house drawing power even though I only really use one. I also had a couple of TVs with cable boxes plugged in that I never use. Unplug cell or laptop chargers when you are not using them.

Check the settings on your freezer and fridge. Usually people have them set to high

When you can look into your car insurance. A lot of times people have just been with one company for years and don't think about it. I looked around and found cheaper rates for the exact same coverage. I called my company and told them I was thinking about switching...... they dropped my rate then and there. Plus I don't remember what the miles are but you might get it cheaper if you drive under 25 miles or whatnot to get to work.If you have any points on your license take the quicky traffic school course and inform the insurance company.

A freind of mine who is a car guy told me to have my fuel injection checked. I did so and it was like $50. Now my car uses half the gas it did before. If you drive a nice car that says premium gas only.... not true. I researched it and also spoke to the mechanic at the dealership. If you are just doing normal driving there is no harm in using a lower grade say 3 out of 4 times.

Yes food is a major thing. Plan ahead and eat at home or take your lunch with you to work. I actually like it better to take my lunch. It gets monotinous going to the same old places anyway. People in my office are always sniffing around to see what I bring. Now everybody does it.

I find that better time wise as well. So instead of getting in the car, going to a restaurant, waiting for the food and driving back I can just sit and relax.

Store brands for food and actually some are better than the major brands. An example would be something like tomato sauce. The Safeway store brand actually has less sugar and actually tastes more like tomatoes.

Don't buy a bunch of things in boxes. When you do buy, buy in bulk as that is an investment. You can split up a huge pack of chicken and freeze it.

I said I would never be this person but I am, I had to.

Use coupons, before you shop check out all adds online and if you were going to buy it and there's a better price print it out. Walmart, Target and other such stores do do price matching.

Also I got a Magic Jack and you pay about $50.00 to buy it but then its only $20.00 a year after that (must have internet). You get free directory assistance and long distance etc...

Keep gas full when you use a 1/4 of a tank refill trust me it costs you less money than to wait till its empty and saves in long run too.

Hope this helps!

Get organized. Keep a list of items you're getting low on or are out of and take one trip into town for your shopping.

Make foods from scratch. It usually doesn't take any longer to prepare than buy microwave or foods in a box.

It's cheaper to purchase a half a cow/pig and split the cost with someone else.

Grow your own vegetables this summer and learn to can.

Make your own coffee at home and skip the gas station or starbucks.

Prepare foods on days off. Most will keep during the week, and if you prepare main course meals, you can portion them up and freeze until you need to use.

Above all, ask yourself if this is a want or a need and be completely honest with yourself.

- Turn the heat lower so it's colder in your house and bundle up.

- Run dishwashers and clothes dryers in the evening hours (after 6PM), rates are cheaper as businesses are closed then and usage goes down -- the later the better

- Consolidate all of your errands into single trips to save on gas

- Don't shop because you get tempted

- Stick to your grocery list of the essentials

- Only buy something that you really want after leaving the store and coming back later (next day the earliest) after having thought about it

- Maybe cancel your home phone service and only use your cell

- Call all of your utilities and ask for lower rates

- Call all of your credit card cos and ask for lower rates because you have a good payment history (hopefully)

- Turn off all lights when not in use

- Unplug all appliances when not in use, they drain energy even when they're not "on" -- this includes televisions, radios, coffee makers etc.

- Wear your clothes an extra day instead of washing them each time

- Hang your clothes to dry instead of putting them in the dryer, or dry them not all the way then hang

- When eating out, drink water instead of ordering expensive drinks, and don't order too much

- Eat out at only places that are super bargains (huge portions that you can take home for lunch the next day)

- Pack your lunch daily, this saves a ton

- Only run the dishwasher when it's completely full and maybe let the dishes air dry vs. heat dry

- Buy whatever product is on sale in the category you need, for ex. laundry detergent or toilet paper or paper towels -- my friend does this and saves a ton.

- Don't shop in bulk unless you have the space and really need the item. Most of the time items on sale = the bulk cost. I calculate this all the time, I call Costco and BJ's and comparison shop, make sure you're comparing apples to apples. Also I think BJ's is cheaper than Costco and it provides bigger quantities, and BJ's takes credit cards and Costco only takes Amex. I use credit cards for expense tracking and also I get points

- Clip coupons and use them!

- Sell unwanted stuff on the internet (Craigslist or try ecrater.com it is free) and make $! Or donate the stuff and take a tax deduction!

- Cut down on alcohol, it costs a ton

Your question inspired me to save $! Thanks! Hope these helped

All the things that you take for granteed, stop doing so.

Simple things like switching the lights off, taking the tv off standby, turning all electrical sockets off at night, although they sound like little things, they really help as they add up.

Use energy saving light bulbs, as they last longer so they cost you less.

Buy your food from a cheaper shop, go for cheaper brands rather than the famous ones.

Don't feel the need to shop as a cure for boredom.

Try walking places, as this reduces your fuel cost, && gets you fit at the same time :- D

Get off the internet might be a good one : P

Put the heating down a little bit

Take shorter showers

Buy in bulk It saves money

I also bought a motorcycle. I get 100 miles to 2 gallons of gas and its fun!

Payoff, if possible your credit cards.

Save not spend.

Eat at home, not out as much.

Look for a 2nd income, maybe selling online.

Do your own repairs.

Volunteer at your job for extra work or try harder to do better work, so you don't lose your job, should your employer decide to cut back.

eliminate all non-essential services........cable etc.....just get rid of it......do not buy any garbage at the supermarket including sweets, cakes etc.....buy only essentials.....drink water instead of the usual....don't drink coffee.....walk to shop instead fo drive if you can....if you find coins in the street pick them up and store them in tin....turn of all electricity that is not needed...including standby appliances.....use one room for all you needs.....use firewood from the brush to cook meals.....collect anything that comes across your way......

Don't go out to eat, don't buy anything that is not essential and just stick to the basics. Use discount vouchers when you go grocery shopping.