penny pincher cheap

Be Cheap & Look Cool

Let’s face it, there is nothing cool about being cheap. This does not mean that you have to look like a cheapskate just to save a little money. Here are some ways that you can save a ton of money and not come off looking cheap.

1. Download The Latest Apps

You are not cheap, you are trendy. Download every money saving app that you can and look like you are just really into technology.

GasBuddy: Tells you where you can get fuel the cheapest. Fuel prices can swing as much as 20 cents a gallon or more within just a few miles of range. Use this app to find the cheapest gas station within a mile of you and save. On an average 20 gallon fill up, you can easily save $4 or more.

Honey: Honey is a browser extension that automates saving. It used to be that you had to go searching for coupons on those annoying coupon websites. You know, the website that constantly misdirect you. It was aggravating. Now, Honey does all of the work for you. Install this extension and when you check out, Honey will automatically check for coupons and apply the one that saves you the most money. When you shop on Amazon, it will also check for the best price and even tell you about recent price changes.

Trim: Trim is a cost cutting application. You can link accounts to it and it will suggest ways to make money saving cuts. It will help you find affordable insurance companies, cable services and even internet providers. It will also cancel old subscriptions that you are not using or have forgotten about.

This just scratches the surface of the apps available for download and more are constantly being developed. Keep checking your Android Play Store or the App Store to stay abreast of the latest programs.

2. Drink Only Water

You are not cheap, you are health conscious. Replace sugary drinks and even diet sodas with water to be healthier. Just look at the label on that can of soda and see all of the chemicals that you can cut out of your diet.

Do the math and see how much you can save. An average 12 pack of soda is $5 currently, more in some areas. That is about 42 cents a can. A 24 pack of bottled water is around $4. That is about 17 cents a bottle. So, for each soda that you replace with water, you save 25 cents. That can be a couple of dollars a day. In just three months, that is almost $200. Save more if you buy your own water bottle and just refill it.

In addition to the savings above, you can also save a fortune at restaurants. Restaurants can charge up to $5 for a soda at a meal. Water is free.

3. Go On Free Dates

You are not cheap, you are creative and romantic. Put more thought than money into a date and you can come out looking like a keeper.

Pack a basket and go on a picnic. Catch a free concert in the park. Plan a long bike ride or a hike on a local trail. There are dozens of free things that you can do almost every night of the week. Plan a date around free events and save a lot of money while looking active and like you are in tune with your city.

4. Cut The Cord

You are not cheap, you are into the latest trends. Only old people have cable these days. Get rid of your cable or satellite and stay up to date with culture.

According to USA Today, the average cable subscriber spends nearly $90 a month and the average satellite customer spends about $100 a month. Compare that to the cost of Hulu, currently under $8 a month and Netflix which is under $10 a month. The savings are huge and you get just as much entertainment, if not more.

If you can not live without your sports or cable channels, check out streaming services such as Sling. All the major channels for around $30 a month.

5. Cancel Your Gym Membership

You are not cheap, you are outdoorsy. You can get just as good of a workout outside by hiking or biking at the park. You might also get a bit of sun.

Hiking is nearly free except for the purchase of a good pair of shoes. Biking might cost you a bit initially but will save you money in the long run. Gym memberships can be $40 to $100 a month. There is also usually an annual fee on top of that.

Cutting your gym membership can save you anywhere from 500 dollars to 1200 dollars a year and might make you look a little cooler.

6. Dine At Hole In The Walls

You are not cheap, you just know where all the great spots are.

Take a little time and find the cool family owned restaurants. The food is often unique, made better and costs less. Do your research online at places like Yelp and see what little restaurants are getting good reviews.

When your friends are trying to decide a place for you to go eat, you can suggest one of these little places. You look cool and save a bunch of money at the same time.

7. Start A Garden

You are not cheap, you are an urban gardener.

Vegetables can get expensive. Start saving money today with a little garden. Stake out a little bit of land and grow your own vegetables. You can even do this in an apartment. All you need is a little sunlight and some pots.

You save money at the grocery store and can have some cool zen moments in the garden.

8. Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies

You are not cheap, you are green.

Cleaning supplies are expensive and can be replaces easily. Window cleaner, for example, can be made with just a little vinegar and water. In fact, a solution of vinegar and water can be used throughout the home to clean all sorts of surfaces. Vinegar is cheap and is a natural disinfectant.

When cleaning windows, use old newspapers instead of paper towels. You will cut waste and leave a lint free finish.

Need to clean a spot on the carpet? A tablespoon of mild dish detergent in a quart of water will do the job. There are literally dozens of homemade cleaning solution recipes available.

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