Tips on Saving Money
Would you like some tips on saving money? Today is day 15 of the Cornerstone Content Blog Challenge and the topic is content that helps you save money.
I’ve written blogs previously about how I use credit cards for just about everything. But to save money you have to find a card that doesn’t have an annual fee for the “privilege” of using the card and look for one that has CASH BACK REWARDS. I accumulate my cash back and towards the end of the year when I check, I have a good sum ready to deposit in the bank. The other thing you have to do with a credit card is you HAVE to pay the monthly statement in FULL every month by the due date. I never worry about what the interest rates are because I pay in full and don’t have to worry about paying any interest. If by chance you miss paying a month before the due date you are done for and you will be trapped by paying interest and more interest and may never get out of the trap.
So it’s this simple if you use a credit card and save:
1 – Get a card that has no annual fee
2 – Look for a card that has cash back rewards.
3 – Pay the entire monthly statement in full by due date.
I have always said I would never use a debit card because I EARN CASH BACK ON MY CREDIT CARD!! When you use a debit card the amount is deducted from the bank like when you write a check so you have to make sure you deduct the amount in your checking account for the purchase amount when using the debit card. I figured it’s just so much easier with my credit card and I make money with it. Well that changed a few weeks ago. I also paid for our gas with credit card but when a few stations started the EasyPay option for a savings of 10 cents per gallon instead of using a credit card, I had to do some calculating.
Let’s say gas is $2.00 per gallon and I need 15 gallons. That comes to $30.00 and if I use my credit card and get 2% cash back, that’s a savings of 60 cents. But if I use the EasyPay with my debit card, I save $1.50. But after using EasyPay I found out I’m saving even more. I save the 10 cents per gallon right at the pump but then I got an email showing the date, the amount of gas and the price at the pump with an additional 24 cents off per gallon. This is a little bonus for the first 100 gallons of gas purchased when first signing up.
Here is a breakdown on my 15 gallons at $2.00 per gallon:
CREDIT CARD: Pay $30.00 at pump with credit card, get 60 cents cash back on my card.
EASYPAY with DEBIT CARD: Pay $28.50 at pump with debit card, plus EasyPay deducts another $3.60. So total deducted from my account is $24.90.
After weighing the options the debit card was the way to go but I only use it for gas that has EasyPay. So far so good as I’m saving more than my Credit Card cash back.
I’m always looking for ways to save and even 10 cents per gallon adds up over the course of the year.
If you are interested in ways I save here are a few blogs I’ve written in the past: http://themarthareview.com/four-money-saving-tips/
Money challenges are fun and a great way to save! One is a 52 week dollar challenge, the other is a 365 day penny challenge. They are both interesting and a fun way to save. For the $1.00 challenge you can change it to 50 cents and still save a good amount. Check them out and see if you dare take the challenge! http://themarthareview.com/52-week-money-challenge/ The penny challenge is also great for children to learn to save. If you complete the entire challenge, at the end of the year you will have $688.00 saved!
I hope my blog with tips for saving money has helped you a bit and BTW this is the first blog I’ve written without using any pictures except the feature image when blog is posted!
You used a picture of the pennies. I will pass on that gas savings idea to my son, because he has considered getting a gas card, or other ways to save money on gas. And I would love to save $688 by the end of the year – what a Christmas that would be!! Better check that one out, too.
I edited the post Jeanine, I meant no pictures in the blog, not the feature image. LOL The gas card we use is on Circle K but EasyPay has other stations also.
This was very helpful. Not a fan of credit card though.
I am very strict about paying when the statement arrives so I never worry about interest charges. If we don’t have the cash we don’t make the purchase. The cash back adds up and is a surprise when I cash it out!
I don’t care if I pay fees for my credit card- because with the limits I have, I can accrue some 3 to 5 K back a year. That fee is long lost. (Yes, I pay the bill each month)
In your case fees can pay from themselves and more Roy. But for the “normal” person they have to weigh the amount and see if it’s worth it. But paying each month is definitely the way to go.
Interesting ideas about saving. I might try the fifty cent one since the dollar doubling each week could be a bit pricey and beyond my budget. It would be nice to have money saved up by the end of the year, however.
The money challenges are fun Alice and even doing 25 cents a week gives you a bit of extra cash at the end of the year.
Martha, great pointers! Most of us could pay more attention to how we are spending and what we owe on those cards, and when to pay it. Congrats on finding the perfect system for you!
Thanks Kebba, I hate to spend and waste money. But I love to try to help others learn to save they way I do.
You are so smart, Martha! A very fast calculater, too.
Thanks Lily, saving money on Credit cards or in the grocery store is my thing.
Smart tips!! Thanks a lot!
Thanks for visiting!
Great post. I don’t have a debit or credit card. I only use cash or gift cards. One trick I use to save money is to save my lose change.
Oh saving loose change is great Amanda! Have you seen the penny savings challenge? You save a penny the First day, 2 cents the second day up to 365 pennies on the last day of the year. You end up with over $600.00in a year!