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Did you know that January is Financial Wellness month? Now is the time to focus on what you can do to save money, both at home and at work. Share with us how you've saved money and you might win some fabulous prizes!

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[jord0205]

I think managing money can be extremely difficult. I'm not the type of person that can tell myself 'no' to a desired purchase. This year I'm personally saving money by tracking every expense in excel. I have used quicken in the past, but I don't need the graphs and the fancy ways of telling me where my money is going. I've also decided how much I want saved by the end of the year, that way I can track how much I need to save each week to reach that goal. Another thing I do is set a budget and stick with it! I think this is the BEST way to save money. I'm also getting a part-time job waitressing to save extra money (or to spend extra money..).

At work I order any supplies we need for our mail room and our kitchen. This past fall I priced vendors for our kitchen supplies, the cheapest one also happened to be the most convenient, with delivery for free. I also try to order in large amounts less frequently for both the break room and supply room. Not only does this save time for me, but it saves on extra shipping costs. The vendor we use for our supply room has serviced us for decades, so we already get the best price in town on those items. I also try to set up invites and other special documents myself; it is easy in Publisher or PowerPoint, even Word! It also saves compared to sending it out to Kinko's to be reproduced. If special paper needs to be ordered our office supply vendor is happy to accommodate.

[carrotsncake]

I've making my "customized" coffee drinks at home instead of buying them at Starbucks. It's so quick and easy to steam milk or add a little cinnamon or mocha to your coffee, and it's SO much cheaper!

[carrotsncake]

I also check the "unit price" when shopping for groceries. Even saving just a few cents on each item really adds up!

[neumannc2]

The top 3 things I have started doing faithfully at work are little things that really do add up (plus I pass it on so others will step up as well).
1. I turn off the lights in any office I see in which no one is located. It might seem odd, but it really adds up and makes no sense to have electricity running, while no one is "home".
2. I use regular doors vs. auto doors (unless I'm carrying a bunch of things and don't have a free hand). The electronic doors, although nice and usually in place for handicapped have become a habit and convenience for all of us (I'm guilty as the next guy), however the amount of time the door ends up staying open causing a lot of heat or air conditioned air to go right out the door and money out of our University's pocket (my employer).
3. Another small saving money idea, but one that adds up is trying not to use th elevator as much. Most people don't realize that the elevator is run on electricity and everytime someone pushes a button, it causes money to operate it. Not only am I amazed at how many people use it for one flight going up, but I'm shocked at how many people (especially students) use it for only going 1 flight down. It's not only helping to save money, but improving your/my health in the process.

Pass It On Gang and make the world a better place!!

[olwert]

3 ways I am working to save money, and you can too!

1) learning from the coupon coach (Coupon Coach) how to utilize retailer's sales as well as printable coupons

2) writing daily expenses on a little yearly planner I carry in my purse to quickly view where money is being spent. This will help to reduce or adjust spending habits by seeing them in a quick monthly view.

3) coordinating trade show trips and customer/personnel meetings to reduce travel expenses

[Bestspirits]

I have a way that I save and earn money at the same time. Since I do all the purchasing for the store. I have found that often you can bring in products that don't sell well. With a small buisness there isn't room for one to "sit" on a product. So, when a rep offers a new product for my veiwing I immediately look at what I can do if this product didn't sell in the store. For Instance: I was approached on a product, Malibu Rum. 6 x 50ml bottles. Great packaging and includes all the different flavors for the customer to try. I checked to find out how much we sell the products per bottle. I found that by breaking this 6 into singles would be cheaper than how we usually buy them. So, I bought a few cases, sold what I could and then broke them into singles selling them at the regular price thus making more money. I have done this many times lately through christmas. Gift packages are a good one for this criteria. Usually the price is a bit cheaper than the regular product but has glasses with them. Breaking them down and adding the bottles into the inventory and then selling the left over glasses offers a new selling opportunity. It works well. Saves worry and your time is well spent.

[Linda Clark]

My company has taken on a program called "think twice" to cut spending for the corporation. I now do that at home also. Before making a purchase, I ask myself twice, do I really need it? Can I be creative and try and recycle something else that will work as well? This has stopped me from making so many impulse purchases. Also, to save, I've trained myself to not spend $5.00 bills. If one lands in my purse, I put it away in a special envelope that is a forced savings account for some last minute vacation fund down the road.

[jwalz]

1) Buy only what is on sale or items I have a coupon for.
2) Shop for clothes at the consignment shops.
3) Bring my lunch to work almost every day.
4) Make a budget and track my spending using MS Excel.
5) Auto deduct $5 from every paycheck to go into a savings account.
6) Joined Free Cycle and Cheap Cycle groups online. I've not only been able to get things free or cheap, but also sell items I no longer need.
7) Hand made some Christmas gifts.
8) Do my own alterations, cooking and housekeeping.
9) Color my own hair and do my own manicures.
10) Dilute shampoo and laundry soap so that it lasts longer.
11) Do part of my grocery shopping at Aldi.
12) Buy used books instead of new ones then resell or trade once I've read.
13) Coordinate errands into one trip.

[lynnf]

Hi, here are 4 ways I'm using to try to save $$$:

1. Buying some office supplies at the "Dollar Stores".
2. Creating a library at work to share books - that way you don't have 10 people buying the same Business or Self Help books.
3. Walking through my house looking for things I don't use anymore to sell on ebay. Some things are even brand new. So far, I've sold 2 out of 9. Not bad for things that were just picking up dust!
4. I've begun using coupons at grocery stores - try web sites like "couponsuzy.com".

Lynn