A Dozen Ways To Save Money

1. Gassing Up!
Compare prices at the gas stations, pump the gas yourself, and use the lowest-octane fuel called for in your owner's manual (higher octane is not only more expensive but can actually cause your engine to run improperly). You can save up to an additional $100 just by keeping your engine tuned and your tires at the proper pressure.

2. Insurance Rates!
See about raising your deductibles on collision and comprehensive coverage to around $500. If you have an older car, you may even consider removing these additions to your insurance policy all together. Make sure any new policies take effect before you drop your old policy. Most importantly, take your insurance into account when buying a new car. Ask your insurance agent which cars are more expensive to insure before you buy, then consider buying a car that doesn't cost as much to insure.

3. Banking the Savings!
Make sure your savings or investment accounts are insured by the federal government. Many products, such as annuities, are not insured. You may want to consider certificates of deposit and treasury bills as these are both low risk/high return investments. Once you decide on the type of savings product you are interested in, compare rates and fees from a number of institutions. 

4. Check These Tips Out!
Select a checking account that offers either a low minimum balance requirement that you can meet or one that has no minimum balance requirement at all. Make sure and get a list of all the charges associated with an account before you open one. Also, consider having your paychecks directly deposited into your account as many institution offer price breaks for this. Finally, you may want to consider going outside your bank to order checks. Typically, you can purchase checks through the mail at savings of over 50%.

5. Credit Card Savings!
The number one thing you can do to save with a credit card is to use them sparingly and pay them off every month. If you have to carry a balance, make sure and shop around for the lowest rates available. Check your credit reports regularly - errors or fraud could be costing your in the form of higher rates.

6. Home Purchases!
There are only two main things you can do to save money when it comes to purchasing a house. First, use a buyer broker who works for you, not the seller. They generally can barter for better deals, as they aren't caught in the middle. Then, choose a shorter mortgage. This will mean for higher monthly payments but it can save you tens of thousands of dollars in the long run.

7. Major Appliance Shopping!
Check Consumer Report's magazine for the best models in energy consumption as well as performance. Then look through your phone book for stores that carry that brand. Call as many of them as you can and ask for a price quote. Make sure and ask them if that's the lowest price they can offer you as some stores are willing to bargain.

8. Electricity Savings!
Make sure your appliances are all "Energy-Efficient", this information should be listed somewhere on them. In some areas gas is cheaper than electricity. If this is true of your area, consider switching your stove, water heater, or other appliance over to gas.

9. Phone Savings!
Avoid the operator! Call numbers directly or look number up in the phone book - most phone companies charge a hefty fee for directory assistance and other operator services. Check that you understand your call plan completely. Sometimes it's cheaper to call at night or on weekends. Shop around for your long distance and don't hesitate to ask friends/family what company they're with.

10. Grocery Savings!
Avoid shopping at convenience stores! They are too expensive. Shopping at the larger (slower) grocery stores and markets can save you a lot. Try to always shop with a list. This will cut down on "impulse" buying. Stock up on legitimate sales but make sure and compare the price per an ounce before deciding if the sale is really that good or not. Besides avoiding convenience stores, the best thing you can do is to eat before you go food shopping. Hungry people tend to buy food that they ordinarily wouldn't because everything just sounds so good to them.

11. Pharmacy Savings!
Ask for generics. They are the same medications at a lower price. Don't be afraid to shop around, either. Prices can vary a lot from drugstore to drugstore and don't forget that many discount stores (such as Wal-Mart) have pharmacies that tend to be lower priced.

12. Airline Fares!
Plan ahead. If you are willing to book in advance, most companies will deeply discount your rates. If you are flying somewhere for a funeral as about bereavement fares - these can save you over 70%. You can lower the cost of a round-trip ticket by staying over on a Saturday. If you use a travel agent or online service, contact the airline directly and see how their prices match up. Avoid the 800 numbers, though, as the operators on those lines can rarely give you the best deal. Finally, you can save a lot of money by choosing indirect or inconvenient routes.