You might be surprised at how easy it is to save thousands of dollars each year without sacrificing the quality of the things you regularly buy.
With a little planning, you can purchase the items you really want at the lowest possible prices, and avoid spending extra money you really didn’t need to. Individually, the money-saving ideas below can save you hundreds of dollars each year — together, they can save you thousands.
ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AUTO COSTS
Don’t change your oil every 3,000 miles. That’s an auto industry hustle. Read your owner’s manual – most people only need to change their oil once every 6,000-7,500 miles. Buy a tire air pressure gauge and check your tires each month. Properly inflating your tires helps them last longer and improves your gas mileage. Have your air and oil filters changed as needed to maintain optimal gas mileage. Don’t buy premium gas unless your owner’s manual specifically recommends it. Most cars run just fine on regular gas.
SLASH HOME UTILITY COSTS
Why pay extra for heating, cooling, lighting and washing you don’t need? Lower your water heater temperature two degrees at a time until you reach the right temperature for showers and sinks to reduce your gas bill. Invest in low-flow toilets and showerheads. Only wash clothes and dishes when you have full loads, and use cold water. Buy a programmable thermostat and lower the heat during the 16 hours a day you are asleep or at work. Use low-cost window-covering kits to reduce drafts and heat loss. Use energy efficient light bulbs. You only need to water your lawn once each week to a depth of 1 or 2 inches, rather than several times each week.
See the rest of the list in the original article on TheDailyClutch.com.
