17 New Year’s resolutions from cheapskates

It’s 2013, and with the new year comes a new resolve to save money, to be frugal, to be sensible. Sound boring? How about challenging? It’s about more than just reading the sale flyers in the Sunday newspaper (although that’s always a good idea). It’s about being smart and careful. To help you out, we’ve come up with a list of New Year’s resolutions for 2013. So raise your right hand and say: “I hereby resolve…

…To renew my efforts at couponing. Start with checking the Sunday inserts for coupons that will actually get used. And we’re not just talking grocery store coupons. A recent trip to CVS Pharmacy netted me more than 50% savings by using coupons. Walgreen’s has good coupons, too. Leah Ingram, Philly On The Cheap.

…To never pass by the “manager’s special” section of the meat department at the grocery store without checking to see what bargains are available. Sometimes, excellent cuts of meat are on sale for as much as 50 percent off. How about $25 worth of lamb chops for just $12? Or even a $6 package of ground beef for $3? Can’t use them tonight? Freeze them for later. Linda DuVal, Pikes Peak On The Cheap.

…To buy local, seasonal produce in quantities that can be used quickly (or canned or frozen). That should save money on purchases, reduce waste and help the environment, too. Belinda Hulin, Jacksonville On The Cheap.

…To never shop at Bed, Bath and Beyond without a handful of coupons. They have an expiration date on them, yes, but the store will honor them anyway. And they’ll let you use a coupon – usually good for 20 percent or more – on EACH ITEM you purchase. So if you buy six towels and you have six coupons, that’s 20 percent off on each one. Laura Daily, Mile High On The Cheap.

…To take my kids to all the FREE programs at the local libraries, museums and nature centers. There are so many free programs for kids these days, it’s a it’s a waste of money to buy another game for them or take them to see a 3-D movie just to entertain them. Onelia Collazo-Mendive, Miami On The Cheap.

…To shop at consignment stores. You not only support a local business, you can also find some amazing deals. You might find a beautiful winter coat with the original $200 price tag  for a fraction of that cost. There’s a whole list of consignment stores in the Yellow Pages. Kids’ clothes are especially great deals. And there are furniture consignment stores, too. Teresa Mears, Florida On The Cheap.

…To drive 55 mph when possible, to save on gasoline. Studies show that for every mile faster than 55 mph, fuel economy drops by about 1 percent. Simply stated: the faster you go, the more it costs. Evelyn Kanter, NYC On The Cheap.

…To dine out only when and where I have a coupon, or where the restaurant is offering a really good deal. And to check out free birthday deals when that rolls around. Rose Overbey, Washington D.C. On The Cheap.

…To attend more local festivals to get my concert fix. If I find a new-to-me local artist whose work I love, I can buy the CD and still come out paying less than what I’d spend on most concert tickets. Jenn Maciejewski, Atlanta On The Cheap.

…To never charge more on a credit card than can be paid off at the end of the month. Avoiding those carry-over fees can save big bucks – and improve your credit rating, too. Tania Casselle, Albuquerque On The Cheap.

…To keep a money journal that tracks all expenditures to see where I might be spending too much. I hope to discover waste, uncover bad spending habits and improve on good ones for saving more. Sheri McGregor, San Diego On The Cheap.

…To be more thoughtful about how I spend my money. I’ll ask myself:  Do I really need it, or just want it? Is there a cheaper way to acquire the item…can I rent or borrow instead of buy? Can I repurpose something I already have? Can I barter/trade for it with a friend, neighbor or family member? Carole Cancler, Greater Seattle On The Cheap.

…To make more handmade gifts throughout the year and, instead of trying to do them all in December, tackle one new project a month. Or, failing that, to shop for holiday gifts year-round, when things are on sale. Val McCauley, Columbus On The Cheap.

…To audit the utilities, phone/Internet service, etc. to find out where I could save money by switching plans or changing usage. Kim Kankiewicz, Minneapolis-St. Paul On The Cheap.

…To see if my local utility company does free energy audits, to find out if I could save money with some inexpensive fixes. Julie Sturgeon, Indianapolis On The Cheap.

…To read Living on the Cheap every day for the latest deals, bargains, freebies and good advice on saving money.

…And finally, to say this, really loud: “I will not buy things I don’t need just because they are on sale.” Lillian Africano, Worldwide SpaReview.

Happy New Year!

What are your New Year’s resolutions for spending less money and enjoying life more?

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