Cutting Back In Today’s Economy ∫ The Webmaster's Edge

Jul 22nd

2008

Cutting Back In Today’s Economy

Posted @ 2:57 pm

Many people are finding themselves cutting back on spending in today’s current economy. Some Webmasters are just starting out, some are finding that their Ad Networks are getting hit by the economic conditions, and some Webmasters may find themselves working on their websites more because they have recently lost their jobs due to corporate cutbacks and layoffs. Right now the economy is not a pretty picture, but there are several steps one can take in order to cut back on expenses. Even if you don’t find yourself in a pinch, it can help to cut back in order to save for a “possible pinch”, another “dot com bust”, a sudden layoff, or even early retirement.

So what are some money saving tips and tricks you might ask?

Electricity

Change The Temperature – If you raise or lower the temperature in your home you can save 1-5% on your electric bill per degree. Those are some easy savings!
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs – They are more expensive, but last longer and save you on electricity.
Unplug And Save – Did you know that many appliances and devices such as TVs and DVD players still draw electricity even when they are off? You can save a bundle on electricity by unplugging these devices or even by purchasing timed power strips that will cut off power for you.

Entertainment

Cable/Satellite TV – Do you have 1000 channels? Do you really watch them all? If you over a top-tier TV package, this is definately an area where most of us can cut back.
The Movies – Going to the movies is fun and enjoyable. Try to only go see the movies that really interest you though. Also try not to spend too much at the concession stand as this is where you’re going to get hit the hardest.
Staying In vs Going Out – Do you really need to go out to have fun? What about staying at home with friends to play a board game?
Restaurants – Eating out is nice, but so much money is forked out when you do so. Learn to cook, stay home, become an at-home chef! Plus, if you learn how to cook (if you don’t know much about doing so already) you can also save money by cooking over prepared/frozen meals.

Gas

Use Public Transportation – If it is available, it can be your biggest money saver.
Find The “Cheap Station” – Some stations lower their prices on certain days and only for a certian period of time (like a 2pm-4pm special). Find out if there is a station near you that does this and try getting gas there if/when you can.
Carpool – Carpooling has a very obvious impact on your gas budget.
Join A Gas Station’s Rewards Program – Get stuff for customer loyalty. Just make sure you aren’t getting a bad price at the pump.
Use A Gas Station’s Credit Card – Some gas stations offer credit cards that give you a discount at the pump. Go for it! Just make sure to pay that card off every month.

Groceries

Make Fewer Trips – This is sort of a gas-saving technique, but the less you go to the store, the less you end up spending on stuff that you don’t need. Try to make big trips instead of many little ones.
Make A List – Shopping with a list is the best way to shop. Get what you need, not what you stumble upon.
Pack A Lunch! – Buy stuff to make a lunch and take it with you to work. Eating out everyday for lunch is a huge financial drian.
Comparison Shop – Most stores will have “unit prices” listed in small print on the shelf tags. Compare these unit prices between brands and see if you can save some money by switching brands or buy purchasing a different amount of that item (bigger bottle, smaller pack, etc).
Buy Bulk – Find out if the items you most frequently buy are cheaper in bulk or not. Check out a bulk/wholesale store such as Sam’s Club. You may find that you can save quite a bit of money in the long run with a membership to such a store. Just make sure to only buy bulk items that you will USE.
Drink Water! – Cut down on soda. It is bad for your teeth, bad for your wallet, and bad for your health. Drinking more water is better for you and can save you some dough.
Cut Coupons – Especially if your store does “double coupon days” and the like. Cutting coupons on the grocery items that you buy regularly can save you a considerable amount on your grocery bill.
Go Generic – Check out the generic brands at your local store. You’ll find that quite a bit of it really isn’t that far off from what you are used to. There are some things that you may just really prefer the name brand over, but typically the more generic you purchase, the more you save.
Join A Dinner Group – Talk to neighbors about having dinner together on weekdays. Get a group of 10 couples and take turns eating at eachother’s houses. You can save big money if you only have to cook one large dinner and 2 small ones each week.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but a good start. I will be adding to this list in the future, so make certain to bookmark it for future updates!