This website is an idea I had in the summer of 2009, and its proved to be very popular - with lots of people thanking me for my valuable insights to fighting our way out of this current recession by saving money on the things that today we consider as essentials -- leaving more money in our pockets to spend on the things we like, the people we love, and generally helping us to feel better about ourselves!

To make things easy, quick and simple, I've bulleted together a brief list of the main ways that I've managed to cut household expenses over the past couple of years -- maybe they can can help you to save money in your household, too?

Wherever possible I've linked to the relevant pages on this website if you need more information on that particular money-saving strategy, so feel free to explore!
Saving Money: A checklist of money-saving links, tips and ideas. A list of money-saving ideas - all in one place!



Starting with the easiest cost-cutting measures first, here's the checklist:
  • Credit cards - do you use them? If you do make sure you have the very best deals (0% if possible!). Simply switching credit cards could save you lots monthly, and LOADS over the time it takes you pay off the card altogether. If you are paying interest on a long-standing credit card debt that continualluy haunts you, have you checked to see if you can transfer the balance to a ZERO percent card. Sure, there's a one-time fee to pay when you transfer, but this should pail into insigificance and save you a lot of money in interest payments in the medium term...
  • Insurances: What with house insurance, auto insurance, medical and pet insurance, these insurances sure have a way of eating in to our finances! Some people like to "play if safe" and end up being over-insured (which for sure is better than finding out you are under-insured if you need to claim!) but over-insurance could be costing you dear! Key points: Check, if you are paying monthly for insurances that you are not being charged a lot of interest. Also. check that the coverage is just right and you haven't been "upsold" on insurance. Your pocket will thank you for it!
Costingless: Online Money-Saving Guide
"Costingless.com... Saving you money in everyday life through advice, articles, tips and experience!"
!! Double-meaning alert !!
I quickly realised, as I was writing this money-saving guide, that what you actually might be looking for is a money-saving checklist, in the sense of tips on how get the very best deal on a savings account, ie saving money in the bank. This guide is  a saving-money checklist in the sense of avoiding spending too much money in the first place, but the double meaning did prompt me to share my thoughts with you on inflation in the recession and my savings account. If you need that instead, then please follow this link
  • Daily / weekly budgeting

If you are the kind of person who finds it hard to resist a 'bargain': that new laptop, new shoes, whatever. then a daily or weekly household budgeting strategy can really help you to save money! You don't need expensive or complicated accounting software -- all you need is sensible hour or two, a pen and some paper! First, work out how much you should reasonably spend each month to avoid having to borrow any extra money. Second, take off your essential expenses. Third, divide what's left into the four weeks -- and, if you need to, divide this into days to allot your "pocket money". Sounds simple, but its really effective -- but you need to be realistic and strict with yourself! It stops those "oops!" moments -- the times you realise you really didn't have the money to spare for that new item, and it will help you to think clearly about the every day decisions you make about your spending habits.

 Energy inflation in 2011 was a staggering 20 per cent in some regions. Think about it! The headline rate of wage inflation in the recession, and the rate of inflation to which pensions are linked is typically under 5 per cent. That means energy is INCREDIBLY expensive now, even compared to just one year ago. You really should be thinking about switching energy provider if you can (it really depends on exactly where you live -- but do check your local area for alternative energy providers -- and, if you can't switch, enquire as to whether you are on the best energy tariff with your current prvovider). Do use energy saving lamps all over the house. Do switch things off when not in use (I don't mean just putting them in standby, I mean unplugging them from the socket, really!) Don't leave lights and appliances on when they are not needed! Do reduce the boiler thermostat just a couple of degrees if you can stand it (be careful to maintain a suitable temperature -- cold can kill the young, ill or elderly!). Think more about the ways that you can use less energy, or use it more efficiently. The savings really stack up here! If you can afford it, and its viable in your area, do consider solar energy.

Those are just some ideas to get you started. You get the idea. From 2008 to the present day, my wife and I have been thinking of more and more strategies for saving money in our everyday lives. The main checklist points above were our starting point, and hopefully those ideas will inspire you to think of yet more ways to cut the cost of living without 'wearing the hair shirt'

If you'd like to read similar articles I've written, please visit the main costingless.com page, or check out
other articles I've written, notably those about cutting costs with credit cards on good ways to save money.
Here's a really good place to start if you are looking for ways to save money. Fed up with seeing all your hard earned money simply disappearing on the cost of living each month? This is THE money-saving website to help you to save money in your everyday life!
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Costingless: Online Money-Saving Guide: Cutting Costs
"Costingless.com... cutting costs, saving money in everyday life through advice, articles, tips and experience!"
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