Here are my some of my favourite ways to save a little bit in 2015, it all adds up. There’s something for everyone, some might be smaller amounts, some can make quite the difference in your bank account. Sort of like a New Year’s resolution, but easier and hopefully something to follow through on. They don’t all have to be done at once either.
– One big way to save money is to call up your cellphone, internet, tv and home phone providers – ask if there’s a promotion going on. Often there is on one or more of these, one quick call can save you a lot over several months. If the internet is on promo $15 off for 6 months, this 5 minute call saves you $90 as an example. If no promotions, see if you qualify for a different plan, can you change some tv channels around or maybe there’s a lot you don’t use and can just get rid of a bunch. With Netflix, Shomi or CraveTV it’s pretty easy to get rid of a lot more regular tv channels. Speak to their loyalty departments – you never know until you ask. And if you’re not home a lot in the summer, makes it very easy to cancel the cable for a few months or at least lower it down.
– Call your credit card company or bank and see what they’ve got to offer. A lower rate, a card with better benefits or rewards – maybe a different bank account that would lower bank fees or give you a better return.
– Same thing with your home insurance, car insurance etc. When it’s time to renew ask a lot of questions. Can things be changed around – if you don’t use the car for work, or just a few days a month can it be changed to a lower policy etc.
– When it comes to your car, keep an eye out for repairs that need to be done and where you can get the lowest price. Stay on top of the small stuff and it makes it a lot easier to budget. A lot of places have coupons out for oil changes too, it all adds up. If your car is getting older, look into CAA or similar programs – one tow pays for the year of service, and you never know when you’ll need one, or a boost etc.
– Plan an evening to sit down with the bills, look everything over and see what can be changed, maybe work on a budget or re-evaluate where your money is going (when you can of course). This can be done monthly as a couple or alone and it really helps to see where it all goes and what can be done. Keep track for a month and quite often there will be some changes to be made for the positive.
– If your hydro or water bills are getting out of hand, put some minor rules in place – shorter showers, water saving upgrades, make sure kids are turning the lights off etc. Look up for your province what deals you can get for changes like this – do they offer free kits for showerheads, faucets etc. to save water? If your winters are cold, wear a sweater and some nice slippers and turn the temperature down a little bit – or put plastic on the windows.
– If your grocery budget is getting out of hand – try meal planning. You can do it by the week or the month, whatever works for you or your family. We like to sit down with some cookbooks and pick a few recipes out for the next few weeks – make enough for leftovers and it saves you a lot of time in the kitchen also. Or batch cook and freeze them for busy nights. It’s a bit of work to start off, but it’s a big time and money saver – find recipes that the kids can pitch it and help or make on their own if they’re old enough too.
– Wait to shop if you can when there’s a promotion or event that suits your family. Most stores have 10% off days at least once a month, or wait to do your big shops when there’s a bonus, whether it’s airmiles, a free item at Superstore or bonus Optimum points at Shoppers Drugmart. Those rewards can really add up and help to cut costs. Look for clearance items when you’re at the store, and if you find some on items that your family eats a lot of or uses a lot of, stock up. Carry those savings over several months.
– Look for free programs or activities in your city. Check the library, local community centres and see what’s going on. There’s all kinds of possibilities, free classes, knitting groups, outdoor movies, free swimming – saves a lot on outings and family activities.
– If the things you want to do aren’t free, wait for cheaper times. Saturday mornings there’s cheap movies at Cineplex, look for coupons or special times at whatever place you want to go to. Restaurants have kids eat free nights, promotion nights – sign up for their newsletters to be informed and often they’ll send out extra coupons too.
What are you or your family planning to do to save a little bit more in 2015? Any great tips you’d want to share?