27 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY

1. Shop at a plaza near you and save on gas and time as most have banks, ATMs, supermarkets and bill paying facilities

2. Buy clothing that you can easily mix and match and that, with some adjustments here and there, can take you from work to evening affairs and casual functions.

3. Buy neutral colour shoes, as these may be worn with several items of clothing.

4. Brown-bag it. Toting a lunch pan to work may sound cheap but it could save you a bundle. Save even a hundred a month, and in a couple of years, you’ll find yourself with a tidy little “windfall”.

5. Do not borrow to pay for leisure activities.

6. Take advantage of sales, but do not spend what you don't have.

7. Treat savings as a priority and consistently stash something away.

8. Avoid making late payments that way you’ll save on interest and late penalty charges.

9. Reduce your visits to the ATM.

On the phone:

10. Use text messages to communicate sometimes instead of a phone call. It’s significantly cheaper.

11. Use Calling Cards. For most of us a quick review of our telephone bill will reveal that a significant portion of call charges comes from cellular and long-distance calls. Using a calling card for these purposes will reduce your call charges.

12. Time yourself. The minute you pick up the telephone and dial out you should make every effort to monitor the duration of your call. You will find that keeping your eye on the clock will help you to cut down on the amount of money you spend on phone calls.

13. Remove phone features you do not need. Or do not add features that you will not be using regularly. Is it really necessary to have voice mail and star (*) 69? Think about it, if it were important would the person not leave a message or call back. How often do you use call divert or use confereneing. Remember, each feature costs money.

14. The Internet. Check out tl~e offerings from the various service providers. Look at price, but also make sure that you get a package that best suits your needs. So. if you are always online, you should not select an Internet Service Provider (ISP) with a per minute or hour charge or even a package with a flat monthly rate and a dial-up charge for each time you log on to the ‘Net. Instead, opt for a broadband connection where you are always on.
    On the other hand, if you rarely go on why pay a flat rate? Go for a package that charges minutely or hourly.

15. Avoid disconnection. When your phone (and other utility) service is disconnected it adds to your overall costs because there is usually a reconnection fee and, in some instances, a deposit is required for the service to be reconnected. Avoid all of this by making your payments on time. If your billing cycle becomes due at an inconvenient time then ask that it be changed so that it matches your cash flow.

16. Budget and plan ahead. Allocate a fixed sum every month and deduct from this sum your line rental charges and feature charges and keep in mind the 20 per cent for GCT. This will allow you to see how much you have in actual talk time. You may be surprised.

At home:

17. Fold clothes or hang them up, so you reduce the need to iron.

18. Put several items in the oven and do not use your oven more than once a week.

19. Fluorescent bulbs will also reduce your light bill. Initially they will cost more but it will result in savings in the long run.

20. Use energy savings bulbs and in high usage areas like living room and kitchen.

21. If possible, use solar heating appliances. You may have to outlay a wad of cash up front, but the savings add up in the long run.

Your car:

22. Cut down on your speed. its true, driving within the speed limit will significantly reduce the amount of gas you use. You can try to drive in a higher gear, which will reduce engine wear and fuel consumption and keep tyres properly inflated. Use less air conditioning.

23. Service your vehicle regularly Proper maintenance means clean filters and better fuel economy. In simple terms, you get more bang from your gas money.

24. Do not leave your vehicle idling for long periods.

25. Plan your trips. Short trips often burn more gas than longer journeys. Walking instead of driving short distance is not only good for your car and the environment but also for your health.

26. Car pool and save big bucks. We know that Jamaicans love to show off their wheels, but you’ll keep more money in your pocket if you get together with a friend or two who have a route and schedule similar to yours.