7 Sneaky Ways to Save Money

Financial health is about more than getting a raise or saving for retirement.  There are small changes you can make today that add up over time, helping you invest in your future.  You wouldn't pass up on free money, right?  Follow the tips below to keep from spending money in places that are unnecessary.

1. Negotiate a Lower Credit Card Interest Rate
   Call you credit card company and ask for a better rate.  If your credit score is 720 or higher, you may get a rate of 10% or less.  If the company refuses to lower, threaten to cancel the account.  They would rather lower your rate than lose a customer.  If you owe $3,000 and can get your rate lowered from the average 17% to 10%, you will save $210 per year.  
2. Fill Up With Regular Gas Rather Than Premium
   Check with your car's manufacturer first, but premium gas is about 8% more expensive and most cars run just as efficiently using regular.  If you fill up every week and make the change from premium to regular, you could have an average savings of $425.88 per year.
3. Use Coupon
   Yes, cutting coupons might sound time consuming but $.50 here and there can really add up.  Use coupon apps like Ebates or Coupon.com to save time and money. An average grocery bill for a family of four is $546, if you save $10 on coupons per trip, that's a savings of $120 per year.
4. Don't Trust Your Impulses
   If may be tempting to buy clearance priced or those BOGO deals but before you add it to your cart finish the rest of your shopping and see if you are still thinking about that item.  Odds are you really don't need it and usually BOGO deals aren't really that much of a cost savings.
5. Check Your Tires
   It is vital to your car's health to regularly check the tire air pressure - the recommended amount is once a month (or before a road trip). Tires that are properly inflated may improve the fuel economy by as much as 3.3%.  The average car has a fuel economy of 24.7 miles per gallon.  If you increase that by 3.3% that is an annual cost savings of $193.
6. Use The Tap
   Believe it or not, but there was a time before bottled water.  At nearly $2 a bottle, this convenience can really put a dent in your wallet and the environment.  If you are extremely particular about your water, purchase a water filter!  if you currently buy two bottles of water a week, try replacing that with tap water.  It's an average savings of $208 a year.
7. Comparison Shop
   With our ability to buy online or shop around there is no excuse to not compare before you buy.  Before committing to purchasing an item, look online or in other stores to see if you are buying the smartest option.

Like making a healthy switch in what you eat, financial health works the same way.  Dieting and budgeting are less about restriction and more about smart decision making.  If you follow the tips above you could have an average savings of $1,156.88 a year.  What could you do with that extra savings? 

Watch our webinar on financial health to help make your money work for you!