7 Eccentric Ideas to Save You a Lot of Money

If you're trying to live on a budget, finding ways to save money is important. After all, the more money you avoid spending, the more money you’ll have in your pocketbook at the end of the month. However, most people stop short of the really eccentric ideas that could actually save them money. Use this list of seven eccentric money saving ideas to help you save a little bit more cash. Some might be too much for you, but some could be right up your alley.

1. Hide Your Credit Cards: It might sound a little bit silly to hide your credit cards from yourself but even taking a moment to think before you spend is often enough to realize that you don’t need what you’re about to purchase. Hiding your credit cards at home will also limit impulse purchases while you’re out.

2. Buy In Bulk: When we say 'bulk', we mean it! Things like toilet paper, diapers, toothpaste, shower gel, and shampoo are used regularly and last for long. If you are purchasing perishable stuffs, buy those that are close to expiry dates. Most hypermarkets offer these items at significantly discounted prices to clear their inventories. However, make sure you are consuming them before their expiry dates.

3. Keep the Condiments: If you eat out, save your leftover condiments, i.e. sugar, salt, tomato and chilli sauce. And why just yours, you can save those of the others too! Just ask them politely, I'm sure they'll willingly oblige. There's no shame in it! If you live alone, I'm sure you'll never have to buy them separately for consumption at home. Same applies for shampoo and shower gel at the hotel! It will help you a lot in crossing these items off your grocery list.

4. Turn Your Car off at Stoplights: Stoplights that take more than 30 seconds to change cause you to burn more fuel than turning your car off and starting it again. Same goes for serious gridlock on the highway.

5. Shop Under a Time Limit: This is for keeping a check on your temptations. Shop before you have to be at somewhere or simply set a stopwatch to challenge yourself to finish your shopping in the given time. You can shop during your lunch break also. After some successful attempts, you'll develop a habit of right buying.

6. Meditate on Your Consumer Impulses: As in meditation, keep a check on all your spending as well as consumption habits. It means to be consciously alert not to go overboard every time you're buying or consuming something. It will help keep a check on your temptations by carving a frugal personality of you. It helps a long way in preserving your hard-earned money.

7. Go to Bed Earlier: The largest part of electricity consumption at your home happens at night. TVs, air conditioners, computers, lights and fans, etc., are mostly used in late hours. Apart from that, being awake you'll keep consuming everything from your internet data, to eatables or drinks, and even using your toilet flush. It all keeps adding to your daily expenses.

No matter how eccentric these ideas may sound to some of you, if followed, they will help you save a lot of money thereby keeping you on track of your monthly budget.