Cheap Exercise Options

You don't need to buy all kinds of fancy equipment or join an expensive health club to get in shape. Today we're going to take a look at a few ways you can get some exercise without lightening your wallet.

• Go outside
  - It sounds cliché, but the great outdoors is nature's gym. Go for a walk or a jog in a nearby park. Use any hills or rough terrain you may have to get yourself some strength training. Instead of driving, walk to any places that are relatively nearby. You'll actually be saving money while you work out. Take advantage of what happens to be in your area. Beaches, parks, hills, and many other natural formations can provide you with a variety of exercise options.
  
• Swim
  - Swimming is excellent exercise. All you need is access to a swim suit and access to a pool. Many YMCAs and community centres provide pool access for a much cheaper price than joining a gym. In general these centres are much cheaper than health clubs and they provide you with the many of the same services. Look around.
  
• Go back to the basics
  - Push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks, tricep dips and many other exercises can be done by only using your own body.
  
• If you're using equipment, stick with what's simple
  - Skipping ropes or resistance bands are much cheaper than fancy health clubs and expensive machines. An exercise ball does not cost very much, but it is very versatile and can be used to work out various body parts.
  
• Use what you have around the house
  - Instead of a Stairmaster or other stepper, walk up the stairs in your house. You can repeatedly walk up and down the same couple of stairs at the bottom for a work out that is just as good as one you would get using a machine. Think of other things around the house that you could use to exercise with. However, do not use makeshift weights. They will not be accurately weighed and, if they are an awkward size and shape, you may drop them easier and injure yourself.
  
• Watch exercise classes on television
  - Rather than heading to a gym for an exercise class, watch a workout show on TV or buy a DVD and follow along. You can get a great, consistent work out this way for very little money. You can also use the Internet to find workout routines for free.

How to Save Money on Transportation

Here are a few tips that can help you save money when getting from point A to point B:

• Know when to take public transit
  - Obviously the effectiveness of this tip depends on where you live. Most major metropolitan areas have some sort of relatively decent public transit system. However public transit isn't always the cheapest way to get somewhere. In most systems public transit becomes more cost-efficient the further you take it. In Toronto (where I live) it currently costs $2.75 per trip to take any city bus, subway or street car. Therefore a trip to and from your destination would cost a total of $5.50 for one person. You now need to figure out the costs of traveling by car, taxi or whatever other methods are available. A good site to use when calculating taxi fares is TaxiWiz.com. The costs of driving yourself will differ based on each individual car. Don't forget to add any possible parking fees into the equation. Usually for more than one person public transit can actually become a more expensive option, depending on the distance traveled.
  
• Negotiate your insurance rate, or switch insurance companies
  - Car insurance can get very expensive. It always serves you well to try and negotiate a cheaper rate with your insurance company. Give them a call and see if they can work with you to lower your rate. Look at the service they are offering you. If there are any services that you do not need or use, consider getting rid of them if this will reduce your costs. Also, it often pays to shop around. There are many websites that allow you to get an insurance quote online. If your current policy is close to expiring, you should definitely spend some time looking at other companies before you sign an extension. You could also consider raising your deductible. This will often lower your rate. However, you should make sure you have enough money to cover the deductible, just in case.
  
• Look for cheaper gas
  - Sites like GasBuddy.com list various gas prices from around the continent. Take a look at this before you go buy gas. Keep in mind that if cheaper gas is available at a station that is much farther away from you, it may not be worth it once you factor in the cost of driving to that further station.
  
• Fill up before you hit empty
  - Gas prices fluctuate. You don't want to end up buying gas at its most expensive because you've run out. Try and buy gas when you don't need it and when the price is low, so that you don't end up being forced to pay extra.
  
• Look for rebates and tax breaks
  - Some companies offer to pay a part of their employees transportation costs should they live more than a certain distance from the office. Find out if your company does this. Some companies are also willing to subsidize public transportation costs for their employees. In other cases you pay be able to apply for a tax credit if you use enough public transit.
  
• Car pool
  - The cost of driving decreases with the number of people traveling. If any of your coworkers live near you, find out if they would be willing to car pool. There are also many website you can use to find people to car pool with such as eRideShare.com, Carpool.ca, Carpool Connect and Carpoolworld.com.

How to Save Money with Credit and Debit Cards

These days hardly anyone carries cash on them. It seems like everything, from the daily coffee to the family car, is bought with plastic. It's convenient and it's easy. But as we all know, "convenient" and "easy" usually equal "expensive."

• Use credit and debit cards sparingly
  - This is easily the best way to save money. Carry a small amount of cash on you at all times for those quick purchases you may need to make. But make sure it's a small amount and make sure you keep track of it. At the end of the day write down how much you spent in cash so that you know where your money is going.
  


• Know when to use credit and when to use debit
  - Obviously you won't use a debit card if you don't have enough money in the bank, but for those purchases that could be covered by either debit or credit cards, you should know which one to use. Many banks charge a small fee for each debit transaction. At my bank I get ten debit purchases per month for free, and then each additional one costs 25 cents. It doesn't seem like a lot, but those additional charges can add up. If it's a small purchase, one that you have the money to cover right away, use a credit card wherever possible. That way you won't incur an additional service charge. Make sure you pay off those small charges on the credit card right away, or the additional interest you pay on the card will negate the savings.


• Negotiate
  - Call your bank and ask them if they will reduce of eliminate any debit card service charges you may be paying. Call your credit card company and ask them for a lower interest rate. You'd be surprised at how often you'll get what you are asking for.


• Have a plan
  - Whenever you put something on a credit card, make sure you have a plan for how you are going to pay it off. Ideally you would want to pay the card off immediately, but that is not always possible. Before you buy something figure out how much it costs and how many monthly payments it will take until the item is paid off. Keep interest in mind. Credit card interest can be very expensive.


• Don't just pay the minimum balance
  - Paying the minimum balance may keep the credit card companies from coming after you, but it's not getting your items paid off. All you're doing is paying the interest. Always pay more than the minimum due, unless there is absolutely no way for you to pay more. Come up with ways to save enough money that you can pay even a few dollars more than the minimum. That way you'll at least be digging yourself out of the hole a little bit.


• Get rid of cards and services that you don't need
  - If there are any credit cards that you don't regularly use, think if you actually need them. If not, get rid of them. Having additional cards will only encourage you to spend more. The same goes for any additional charges you are paying for on yoru card. If you don't need the additional insurance coverage, credit protector coverage, roadside assistance, or whatever it is you are paying for, get rid of it. The same goes for any banking charges you may be paying for.


• Transfer outstanding debts to a low-interest card
  - If you have large debt spread across several cards, work with the credit card companies to consolidate that debt onto the card with the lowest interest. You should also try to negotiate that interest rate down.

How to Save Money When Throwing a Party

The basic premise of this site is that you don't have to sacrifice saving money to have fun. This includes spending time with your friends and family.

Here are some tips on how you can throw a great party without breaking the bank.

• Have it at home
  - Providing you have enough space in your home, it's not necessary to head to a restaurant or rent a hall when throwing a standard party. You will always end up spending less at home.
  
  
• Don't serve a meal
  - You don't need to serve a full dinner at your party and you'll save a lot of money if you don't. Invite your guests over for light snacks and drinks. You can call it a "cocktail party" or, if you want to stay away from emphasising the alcohol, invite people over for hors d'oeuvres.
  
  
• Limit alcohol
  - Many people consider "lots of alcohol" and "great party" to be the same thing. This is not true. Assume that most of your guests will have about two or three drinks and only buy that much alcohol. Also, only buy the basics (wine, beer, rum and vodka) along with some mixers (orange juice, cranberry juice, cola, ginger ale, etc.) Most people do not come to a party expecting there to be an elaborate array of fancy spirits. However, if you are throwing a cocktail party you will need to have enough alcohol to make a few different cocktails. Also, serve the alcohol yourself rather than having it open. This will help you control the amount of alcohol consumed, which will save you money and let you make sure everyone drinks safely.
  
  
• Find some free music
  - Rather than buying new CDs or heading to iTunes to purchase music, see what you can find for free. Rip some of your existing CDs onto your computer and create a new mix. There are also many places online where you can legally download free music. Many of these sites boast music that is outside of the mainstream and could produce a unique soundtrack for your guests. YouTube now allows you to create video playlists. You can search through the site's many music videos and create your own mix to play for your guests. The site also give you the ability to view playlists created by others.
  
  
• Have a potluck
  - Ask your guests to bring something to your party. To avoid ending up with seven plates of cupcakes and no hors d'oeuvres, ask your guests what they are planning on bringing and suggest alternatives to repeat ideas. Most guests bring something to a party regardless, so giving them suggestions actually makes it easier for everyone.
  
  
• Go "cheap" on the decorations
  - Ask long as your home is clean and comfortable, most guests won't be expecting wonders from the decor. Dimming the lights and adding several candles can give an elegant look for cheap. Tea lights are relatively inexpensive, but look quite classy. Most towns have a decent dollar store where you can pick up signs, streamers, balloons, fake flowers and other such decorations. White Christmas lights can be reused at any time of the year to set the mood.
  
  
• Organize with friends
  - Rather than trying to host a part by yourself, get together with a group of friends and "co-host" the party. Choose a location (preferably one of your homes - choose the largest house or the most centrally located house) and get to work. Split up the tasks and you will only have to put together a fraction of the party, rather than the entire one. This also allows the organizer with the best cooking ability to be the cook, while the decorator gets to decorate and the wine lover can handle the drinks. It's easier and less expensive this way.
  
  
• Have the party outside
  - This depends on the season and your location, but having a party outside can eliminate many of your expenses. Have a beach party or a barbecue or picnic in the park. This will take away the need to find a location, have decorations or music and the possibility of fancy drinks. Make it a potluck to cut your costs further.
  
  
• Make the food yourself
  - While they may be easier, try to avoid buying pre-made dips and snacks. These are almost always more expensive than making food yourself. If you look for recipes online you'll see that there are cheap and easy ways to make many party favourites.
  
  
• Send invites and thank you notes electronically
  - Rather than buying invitations, send your party information via email. There are also services, such as Evite, that allow you to send virtual invitations. If your friends are on Facebook you can send event invites through their service.

How to Save Money on Groceries

Groceries are a necessary expense. Unlike clothing or toys or electronics you cannot simply "Buy Less" of them. You and your family need to eat - every week - and you need to make sure that you are buying filling, nutritious food.

That is the main thing to watch out for when trying to save money on groceries. You have to ensure that you continue to purchase nutritious food. Many very cheap food are high in sodium or fat and very low in vitamins and other nutrients.

Here are a few tips for saving money on your next trip to the grocery store:

• Buy larger packages of food
  - Obviously this is only possible and reasonable if you can eat what you buy before it goes bad. Food that has a long shelf life (pasta, rice, some sauces, noodles, cereal, etc.) can be bought in larger packages which are usually cheaper than buying several small packages. The same can be said for many drinks. A large bottle or carton of milk, juice of pop is typically cheaper by volume than a smaller one. You'll have to be careful with expiration dates in those cases however.
  
  
• Stay away from "snack size" or "individual" portions where possible
  - This is similar to the last tip. While snack size portions may be easier and faster, they often cost a great deal more per unit.
  
  
• Buy staples only when they are on sale
  - This works great for long shelf like foods as well as with non-foods like paper towel, toilet paper, detergent and so on. You will eventually need to replace these items, so there's no harm in stocking up when the are on sale. Buying three bottles of detergent on sale will prevent you from buying it at full price when you've run out.
  
  
• Try generic brands
  - Sometimes you'll find there is a legitimate quality difference between a brand name product and a generic "no name" brand. If that's the case, you should buy the one you prefer, providing you can afford it. We're still trying to live well here, not just save money. However, sometimes you'll find that the generic brands are just as good - or better - than the name brands. They're almost always cheaper too.
  
  
• Bring a calculator with you
  - This is easier now that most cell phones have calculators built in. You can use the calculator to figure out which products are the best value. If one product is $2.99 for 143 grams and another is $3.99 for 197 grams, you may assume that the $2.99 product is a better deal. A calculator can help you figure out that is not true. Also, check the actual weight or volume of the product (written on the box) rather than using your eye to figure out which container is bigger. Very often packaging is deceptive and a larger container could be holding less product inside.
  
  
• Make a shopping list and stick to is
  - Impulse buying is expensive. There are many times when I've left the supermarket with many items I didn't expect to buy. Those extra items ran up my bill and caused me to break my budget. Make a list before you head to the store and only buy what is on it.
  
  
• Buy food that you have to cook
  - Like snack sized items, prepared food is much more convenient. It is easier and faster to put an already prepared meal into the microwave or oven than it is to spend the time it takes to prepare a meal. However, prepared meals are almost always more expensive. If you have the time, it's usually cheaper to buy the ingredients and make a simple meal yourself than it is to buy something that is already prepared. And for those days when you don't have time? You can buy some prepared, frozen foods in case of an "emergency." Just buy them when they're on sale and only use them when needed.
  
  
• Shop around
  - It's a little more difficult and time consuming, but the Internet and mailed flyers can help. Those ads and flyers for local grocery stores you throw out every week as "junk mail?" Keep them. Sometimes certain foods are cheaper at certain stores. As you're making your list look at the flyers and look online to see if anything you need is on sale. This may put you in a situation where one store has cheaper fruit and another has chicken on sale and another has a special on paper towel. In those cases it's time to get out the calculator again. Figure out how much time and gas you would spend driving to each different store and see if it's worth it. Depending on how far you live from the store, sometimes it is.
  
  
• Avoid "convenience" stores
  - As discussed earlier, convenient usually equals more expensive. If you've run out of milk, avoid the temptation to stop at a convenience store/corner store on the way home from work. You'll be paying extra for the easy trip. Instead, keep track of how much of each product your family uses in a week. Write it down. You'll only need to do it for a few weeks before you're pretty good at predicting how much you'll need to buy on each trip to the grocery store. That way you won't run out early and you won't end up paying extra.
  
  
• Shop only at designated times
  - Convenience again equals expensive. Choose a time when you will do grocery shopping. Either once a week or once every two weeks, or whatever suits you. Stick to it. On that day head to the store(s) with your list in hand. This will prevent you from making spur of the moment purchases that will only cost you extra money.
  
  
• Only buy what you'll need
  - This is similar to a few of the tips above. If you're in the store and you see a great deal on a product that isn't on your list, stop and think about it. Would you be buying this product if it wasn't on sale? Will you be able to use it before it goes bad? If it's a staple that you haven't run out of and it's truly a good deal, buy it. If it's not something you would regularly buy, consider letting it pass. Saving money by buying something extra isn't saving money. You're still spending more.

Hopefully these tips will help you out. Again, please remember that buying nutritious food wherever possible should be your number one priority, before buying cheap. Quite often you will find that the two things go together.

If you have any other tips, please share them in the comments.