You spent what???

With the state of the economy the way it is, everyone is looking for ways to cut back. I saw this article and thought...duh, money-saving 101, but thought I would post anyway.

The top 10 overspends


Afternoon snacks:

Do you munch protein bars as a healthier alternative to a chocolate pick-me-up? You could easily be paying more than $2 per bar and consuming just as much sugar as you would with your favorite candy bar. Stock up on fruit for a fraction of the cost when you do your grocery shopping. You'll be fitter and save a bundle.

Bottled water:

Yes, it's important to drink water every day. But picking up the bottled variety with your lunch is an expensive way to stay hydrated. Rather than spend $2 a day for water, buy a pitcher and a filter for about $20 and drink as much as you want for pennies a glass.

Caffeine:

Can't get through the day without at least one cuppa Joe? Stopping at Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts can set you back as much as $1.65 per cup. Splurge on a pound of gourmet coffee for $8 to $13 and you can make 40 cups for about 20 cents to 33 cents each.

Tunes:

Do you rush out to buy the latest CD by your favorite group even though there are only one or two songs you really like? Instead of paying up to $18 for the CD, download those cuts you want from iTunes for 99 cents each, or from Amazon for as little as 79 cents.
A night at the movies. An evening for

The movies:

An evening for two at your local theater costs an average of about $20, including the popcorn -- and closer to $30 in major cities. And that doesn't even count the babysitter. For just $5 a month, you can watch two movies from Netflix or pay $9 for unlimited viewing. If you're willing to wait a little longer for new releases, borrow them free from your local library.

Fresh flowers:

A bouquet of spring blooms brightens up a room and your mood. But purchasing it from a florist at $25 and up can quickly put a dent in your budget. Check out your local grocery store, which offers a selection of seasonal bouquets for $5 to $10.

Fruits & Veggies:

Sure, precut vegetables and salad mixes that are washed and bagged save a little time. But you'll pay for the convenience. Broccoli florets and sliced peppers cost $6 per pound, compared with one-third to one-half the price for the uncut versions. Lettuce varieties that are pre-washed and bagged sell for $5.98 a pound. But it takes just minutes to wash and spin dry enough arugula for your evening salad, and you'll pay one-third as much. Buying whole strawberries rather than sliced ones that are prepackaged cuts the price by 75%.

Credit card fees:

Every month, millions of credit-card customers pay their bills late, and they're assessed as much as $39 each time. Set up an automatic debit and you'll never incur another late fee.

ATM fees:

Each time you use an out-of-network ATM you pay an average of $3.43. Do that once a week and you'll rack up almost $180 in ATM fees every year. Avoid those charges by selecting a bank with a large ATM network or an online account that reimburses your ATM fees -- such as the eOne no-fee account from Salem Five Direct bank. Another alternative: Get cash back at the grocery store.


Packaging and mailing services:

Instead of paying FedEx $1.49 to fax one page, sign up to send free faxes from a provider such as faxZero or K7.net. Save on shipping with the U.S. Postal Service's priority mail service. You'll pay just $4.95 to mail an envelope or small box anywhere in the U.S., and your parcel is likely to arrive within two days. Larger packages cost $10.35. That saves at least 50% compared with UPS's two-day service, the cost of which varies by weight and distance.


The above 10 Overspend items are from kiplinger.com



I am/we are guilty of the following:

purchasing bottled water when we could have brought my own bottle and filled it up

purchasing coffee when I could have made it before I left the house instead I slept the extra 5 minutes

eating at the cafeteria at work instead of making my lunch at home and bringing it in...hey, it is really hard to give up my sleep

I/we save in the following areas:

I bring fruit to work everyday. I also have a stash of snacks at my desk or in the office refrigerator (crackers, pretzels, cheese, carrots, etc) in case I get hungry. Not only does it save me $$ these are healthier choices than going to the vending machine.

The husband and I make conscious efforts to only use our banks ATM, since we get socked with a huge fee depending on what the ATM banks charge...usually around $5.50 per withdrawal. Another helpful hint is when you are at the grocery store or Target and are using your debit card withdraw money.

I send faxes at work (yeah we all do it...just admit it) not that it happens very often. I send all packages through the USPS, which is much cheaper than FedEx or UPS.

All of our monthly bills are set-up on automatic debt...we never get any late fees.

When purchase anything on-line I always look to see if there is a coupon code available for the store I am making my purchase from. My favorite is http://www.retailmenot.com/

We only purchase items that are on sale or if we have a coupon...whether it be at the grocery store or a department store.

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What are your tips for saving a few dollars?