Household Savings

Ways to save a little cash.

by Ellie Kay

Here are some ways to experience the thrill of saving money room by room:

Family Room

• Coverings – If you still have young children at home, you may want to wait to have your furniture recovered.  By purchasing a quality slipcover for $65 instead of buying a new sofa for $850, you save $785. 
• Quick Cleaning – Spills on carpeting and furniture are best attacked as soon as they happen.  If the carpet must be professionally cleaned, it will cost about $95 more than using a $10 can of cleaner.

Garage

• Gas Mileage – Take out the excess weight in your trunk and have your tire pressure checked on a regular basis to save approximately 5 cents a gallon in better gas mileage.  This saves about $75 per year per car.
• Gas Prices – Go to gaspricewatch.com to find the least expensive gas in your neighborhood – or on the route you are taking for a longer trip.
• Young Drivers – Put your old jalopy in your child’s name and make them the principle driver on a vehicle that does not carry full coverage.  This could save $400 on a premium that might run as much as $1400 per year.  It also gives you a good excuse to not let them drive the BMW!

Bathrooms

• Saving Water – Don’t put bricks in your toilet tanks to displace water – they could decompose and clog up your pipes.  Instead, use a one-quart plastic container that will not interfere with the plunger and save as much as $150 per year.
• Linens – Buy the same color towels and linens to save big bucks every year.  The same goes for sheets – choose all white and you will only have to buy a top sheet or a fitted sheet if they are torn or damaged.  This can save $55 a year on towels and $85 a year on sheets.

Baby’s Room

• Baby Showers – If you haven’t had your baby shower yet, then take inventory of what you really need for baby – including the sizes of clothing you still need.  When the hostess asks you for a list of items you’d like, be sure to include larger sizes in appropriate seasons.  I outfitted our daughter for the first two years of life by doing this for a total savings of $800!

Kitchen

• Combine Oven Dishes – Select menu items that will cook at the same temperature, rather than heating the oven twice at two different temps.  This could save $125 in energy costs.
• Combine Grocery Savings – Use double coupons, in-store coupons, clipless store coupons (a store card) and sales to save anywhere from $20 to 60 percent on your food budget.  Save even more by going to mygrocerydeals.com or see elliekay.com for more money savings links.  I saved over $8,000 last year, paying only $250 per month to feed our family of seven!
• Cloth Napkins and Real Plates – It’s cheaper to wash than to buy paper – although it’s less convenient.  This tip saves almost $95 per year.

Ellie Kay is a national radio commentator, a frequent media guest, popular international speaker, and the best-selling author of twelve books including her 2008 release, A Tip A Day With Ellie Kay:  Twelve Months Worth of Money Savings Ideas (Moody Publishers, 2008).  For money savings links or to subscribe to Ellie’s free newsletter, go to elliekay.com