How to save money on everything?

I consider myself frugal in some areas . But I''m looking to save even more money on everything in general. I want to be able to live more within my means, use what i have for other things I might need, learn how to cook healthy low costing meals, have fun without spending tons of money on going out to the movies, concerts, etc,. If you have any useful tips that has saved you money. Any good websites, books I could read. Please do share. I'm wanting to truly live more of a frugal lifestyle.|||www.moneystashers.com|||You are being way too much careful. Life is to enjoy and you need to let it go.





But still, if you want to save money, then create a budget. Make a list of everything that you spend money on. Then, create plans to cut cost on all those things. For example, list how much you spend on food and then, find out a way to save money on it.|||Good for you for wanting to live more within your means. Check out the site Budgeting Steps for lots of ways do just that. There are also budget worksheets that you can use. It's always helpful to see your expenses on paper so you know where your money is going and what areas you can start to cut back on.|||My frugal ways:


Don't go to a store unless I absolutely need something. I avoid Wal*Mart at all costs (except for a trip for necessities every 6 weeks). If I go to this store, I will spend at least $100 more than I needed to on extras.





I avoid eating out and choose to cook at home instead (healthier and much cheaper).





Save your change. I save all of my change (empty the wallets and pockets frequently) and put it in a jar in my room. When it's full, I take it to the bank and deposit it into my savings account. This is great for an annual vacation as well. Save for most of the year, and then use your change to pay for your vacation - no debt!





Pay attention to sales and combine coupons with sale items - this can get you items for free. If you pay attention to rebates, you can actually get paid for purchasing items. This requires time though, so I can't do it as much as I'd like to.





Don't buy what you can't afford. If you're using credit cards - stop, and pay off any debt that you have with credit cards.





Cheap entertainment:


Renting videos at the Dollar Video Store.


Going to the Observatory at a local college to watch the stars.


Attending a community play.


Attend festivals - take only a small amount of cash for food.


Have international nights - choose a country and prepare a dish from that country - invite friends to join and enjoy the results. Download music or borrow a CD from the library of the country's music. It's educational, relatively cheap, and fun.


Inviting friends over for game night, movie night, dinner, etc. Just having fun at home saves a ton of money!





Books:


Frugal Living for Dummies by Deborah Taylor-Hough (decent book)


Miserly Moms: Living Well on Less in a Tough Economy by Jonni McCoy (She has several books, and I think they're great for everyone, not just moms!)


The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn (this book goes as far as telling you to reuse ziploc bags by rinsing and air drying - I can't bring myself to be this frugal -- it is full of tons of advice, and this is an enormous book)


10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget by The Writers of Wise Bread (I haven't read this one, but it's had good reviews -- it's on my wish list)





Websites:


www.frugallivingandhavingfun.com/


www.livingonadime.com/


www.couponcraze.com/


www.cheaplivingtips.com/


www.frugalsimplicity.com/|||Take a calculator to the grocery store and buy the product with the best unit pricing (the shelf tags aren't always accurate or sometimes don't list comparable units; for example: showing ounces for one and pounds for the other, which makes it harder to compare which is the better deal.





Are you spending too much on food? Click on the most recent month for this "Cost of Food at Home" chart from the government:


http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/USDAFoodCost-Ho鈥?/a>





One thing I usually do is take a cooler with me when I am driving, so I have my drink of choice with me and don't spend money at fast-food restaurants just to get a drink while I'm out and about.





Here are some other helpful websites:


http://www.debtproofliving.com/


http://www.daveramsey.com/


http://www.miserlymoms.com/





If you get a chance, watch this reality show about couples digging out of debt.:


http://www.slice.ca/Shows/ShowsPage.aspx鈥?/a>


Here is the show host's website:


http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/





Do you know where there are thrift stores in your area? Day-old bread stores? Discount grocery stores? Consignment shops? Start finding out. No need to buy everything new. There are usually a lot of board games and jigsaw puzzles available second-hand, as well as household items and clothes. And use your local libraries!





I have 4 library cards for 4 different local towns/cities, 2 of which I use on a weekly or bi-weekly basis (sometimes even more often). They can order materials for you from other libraries; you can put in requests for them to purchase new materials they don't own (it can't hurt to ask! I've gotten many requests granted); they have computer software, movies, TV shows on DVD (a much cheaper alternative to cable!), music, books, and often free classes in some topics. Ask your reference librarian for recommendations on any topic you're researching, particularly if you're new to library use.





I go to a new retail bookstore periodically and write down all the titles that interest myself and my family; then we order them from the libraries. I do the same thing with the local video store. Also, Netflix is a good deal if you enjoy movies a lot, and want more than your library can provide or don't want to wait (at libraries, you have to put yourself on a waiting list for new DVDs and then be patient for your turn!).





There may also be a second-run theater in your area. I look at the paper for the movies that are at the second-run theater, and then check to see if the libraries have those movies on order yet, because their appearance at the second-run theater usually means they're close to coming out on DVD.





Also sign up for your local Freecycle. For the price of the trip to pick something up, you can get free items that way (or avoid fees to pay for removal of large items you yourself want to get rid of, by posting them as offers there).


http://www.freecycle.org/





Check out your local college websites for free entertainment opportunities. Some stuff may involve an admission charge, but I've found some things that are offered for free ("optional donation accepted"). For example, one university near me offers a performance of Handel's Messiah at Christmas-time; another has a superb multi-organizational presentation of local bell choirs joining to give one concert. Fabulous and free!





Local churches may offer free or low-cost entertainment opportunities as well, especially around the holidays. One large church near me has a community center that offers various low-cost classes ($10 or $20 total for a class that goes for several weeks) on various topics; they also have many sports and dance lessons for low-cost or free.





Mega-churches are more likely to have a wider variety of offerings, naturally, since they are so large, but even smaller churches can have potlucks, picnics, small group get-togethers, special performances, special interest groups (that focus on a particular theme or topic, such as single moms or finances, etc). Call around and/or visit different churches each week and see what you find.