It’s no secret that we live in one of the most expensive states in the country. So we’ve decided to ask some of the best savers we know about some of the things they do to stretch their dollar and pinch their pennies. Here are 7 ways (among many) to save your hard-earned money.
Buy in bulk
One of the more obvious ways to pinch is to buy in bulk. There are large savings to be had when you buy large quantities of the same things. While places like Costco and Cost U Less sell merchandise in bulk, they’re not always the best deals. I’ve bought canned goods like tuna for as little as $.69 a can in the grocery store. Hamburger can be had for as little as $2.99/ lb from Target.
If you normally pay regular price on items, then the large warehouse stores will certainly cop you great deals. But savings searchers can really get the most for their money by taking advantage of large savings at local grocery stores.
Hang your clothes after washing
I get it! The dryer is so dang convenient. But you can save up to 25% on your electric bill by giving the dryer a break every now and then. The cost of electricity in Hawaii is one of the highest in the nation. There are no competitors in the power industry, so we are at the mercy of the electric companies.
Eat out less…or not at all.
According to the Simple Dollar the average person eats a commercially prepared meal about 4 times a week. That’s 16-20 meals a month can add up to $150 – $220 per person! If you have two people that are doing the same thing, that’s some serious spending. What could you do with an extra $150 – $300 a month?
Share Subscriptions
Do you know that there actually are people who do this? It’s genius. They split the cost of their entertainment bill like cable, Netflix or Hulu. While Netflix and Hulu are relatively cheap, cutting your cable bill in half by sharing a password can really save you some good money. People have even split the cost of their internet by sharing with a neighbor and then boosting the signal.
Don’t stay home on your day off
You may be thinking that this will cost you some cash, and it may. However, being away from home during the day prevents you from using fans, air conditioners or televisions. I try to get work done at Starbucks where the wifi and AC are free. All for the cost of a venti drink. I’ll bring my own food from home and use up all the free AC and wifi that I can. Make some sandwiches or spam musubi and a beach day can be had at very low cost.
If you really must eat out…
Try the grocery store deli. I’ve gotten food from the deli for as little as $3.99/ lb.
Order and share with someone. Find the largest dish on the menu and spend some time with another human being.
Go somewhere that a tip isn’t required like a drive in or fast food restaurant. Many of these places are following the food trend of healthy eating. There’s always an option if that’s an issue for you.
Miscellaneous ways to pinch pennies
Take advantage of concentrated. Products like dishwashing liquid can go a long way if you take the extra step to dilute it a little. Most cleaning supplies are concentrated.
Buy forever items on sale instead of when you need it. Toilet paper, female hygiene products, soap, shampoo, etc.
Cook for an extra day. I like to cook meals that will last an extra day. It reduces the amount of time that I use the stove and reduces a day during the week for meal planning.
Shop for meats in the morning at the grocery store. Often, you can get great value on discounted meat when you go shopping in the morning.
Use your cruise control in your car when traveling long distance. It can save you a lot of money on gas
These are just a few of the ways that can help you to budget better while living here in Hawai’i. What are some of your go to ways to save? Please share with us in the comments.
