Use your credit card only for emergencies, in the other instances pay with cash. It is a proven fact that when we have to buy things with cash we tend to spend up to 50% less money. It is purely physcholgical.  Try it for one month and compare your cash outlay to previous months credit card bills and you will see a savings. 

- John H.

 Create a "regular expense" savings account at VACU. Make a list of all your recurring, but not monthly expenses during the year such as: car insurance, magazine subscriptions, Xmas/Bday fund, pet expenses (those physicals & meds add up), vacation, professional fees (certificates, licenses, etc.), and so forth.  Consider adding a small amount for unexpected things too, a continguency fund. Then add the amounts and divide that total by the number of paychecks that you get per year.  That final amount is what you should have deducted off the top from each paycheck. By paying yourself first - like you should with savings - you can rest easier that funds will be there for future bills, and you can better plan use of what is left.

- Linda R.

Don't be afraid to use competitors’ deals to get a lower price with your existing company. Most of the time they will not want to lose you as a customer and so will match or compromise with you for a better price.

- Anna B.

When grocery shopping, compare prices by looking at price per unit. A sale flyer may say "buy one get one free" on a popular brand name product. But when analyzed, purchasing two of an equivelent generic may be less expensive per unit than the "bogo" price being advertised. It pays to check the unit price.

- Theresa D.

Keep a change jar either in the bedroom or laundry room.  All spare change goes in it.  DON'T dip into it.  Deposit the change into your savings account or Christmas club account every six months...it adds up!

- Samantha P.

If you did not think about it at home, do not purchase it when you get to the store. Impulse buying will not make you a smart saver.

- Steven A.

Eliminate vehicle payments and put that amount in a savings account. Also, take your lunch to work instead of buying lunch.

- Lorie H.

Bake your own goodies instead of buying them prepared in the store.  It costs about $2 to make your own coffee cake whereas they cost about $6 to buy them premade.  Your kids will enjoy the activity too.

- Cari C.

When you get a paycheck take $1 to $5 or more if you can and put it in your savings account. Do not record that you put it in there and at the end of the month or year it adds up.

- Holly N.

Call the 800 numbers on the back of your favorite products and ask them to send you coupons. This has been a very helpful hint with baby formula and cosmetics.

- Evelyn H.

If you are using your cell phone more than you use your home phone, consider getting rid of the home phone and using your cell phone as the primary contact number. Be diligent and check your minutes on your plan frequently in order to avoid going over.

- Tarisha W.

When you write a deposit in your checkbook, write it for less than what you actually deposit and deduct your transactions from what you entered in your checkbook.

- Sharon H.

Most stores offer cash back and you can get a pack of gum or equivalent for your money and cash!

- Thomas J.

I started putting aside all my dollar bills to use for yard sales, but they added up to more then I needed, so I continure to save every single dollar. They really can add up fast.

- Deborah T.

We've been having a lot of fun getting together with friends at our homes. We save by eating in and then playing cards or games, watching movies, etc.

- Anna B.

Review auto and home insurance annually. Get quotes from several companies and compare costs for similar coverage. You can save hundreds of dollars! I did!

- Debra C.

Moderator's comment: Virginia CU Insurance Services offers insurance and asset protection products complement the loans and other services VACU offers.These products are provided to members through other independent companies for the benefit of VACU members.

Have an extra $100 deposited to your savings each paycheck.  If you really need it, you can get it, but if not, it's a good way to put away a little extra money.  It can add up quicker than you think.

- Frances J.

Use a big plastic water jug for loose change and let it add up for savings to use on special trips or items that you may need throughout the year. You'll be surprised how much you can save.

- Theresa P.

Use grocery and specialty store discount cards when shopping.  Not only will you save on sale items, many stores will mail coupons, give further discounts on gas or send coupons for free items.  One grocery store I shop in takes the time to monitor what items you buy often and offers coupons for those items.

- Lynnette B.

Cut back on cable or satellite subscriptions as they are showing the same things over & over anyway.

- Carol W.

My husband's car has over 200,000 miles on it. He does all of the maintenance and repairs himself. We have no car payment and no plans to replace the car. The old car has been good to us.

- Cari C.

Turn down your hot water heater to 120 degrees. More than that is a waste; less than 117 degrees may allow Legionnaires disease to grow. Now, insulate the hot water overpressure valve. It’s a little radiator heating the air around it 24/7/365. Most insulation efforts miss this little one.

Also insulate the pipes as far back as you feel warmth. Some tanks have a valve that prevents much loss this way and you'll only need to insulate a few inches. Other tanks will turn their pipes into radiators for 3 or 4 feet or more.

- Christopher M.

When looking for textbooks for college, buying new or even used textbooks can be expensive. Instead, consider renting them. Most books you will only need for one semester so rent them for a fraction of the cost. Try websites like Chegg.com or Bigwords.com to rent and compare prices.

- Jess-Mara J.

I save while recycling. I save old newspapers and soda cans. I sell them and put the money in a cookie can to save.

- Naja W.

Set a day a week that you can go out to eat (that way you can look forward to it). Order 1 drink and 1 water and share the drink. Also, split the order and get an appetizer - it saves money and you still get to go out!  Most resturants serve large portions, so it can also help you watch what you eat.
- Daryl V.
 

I used to spend a lot of money every week on starbucks and breakfast, so what I started doing is everytime I thought that I wanted coffee or breakfast I would commit that amount to my savings account.

- Michelle B.

Always ask if the restaurant, hotel, store, or doctor's office gives a discount for paying with cash, senior citizen, AAA member, state worker (government worker). You will be surprised at how many times you will get 5%-10% off. A lot of places don't advertise, but will gladly give you a discount or waive any fees. Just ask!

- Evelyn H.

Do not go shopping hungry, or you will buy unnecessary things. Shop no more than twice a month and list only the essentials. You can readily save $100/month on groceries or food not wasted or spoiled. When you eat out, take home leftovers or half the serving, because some servings are good for 2 meals. If you're on a diet, that will also help you trim your waist.

- Alexander Y.

Stop buying CDs and downloading songs on iTunes.  Remember, listening to the radio is free!

- Laura E.

Put all of your monthly bills on a rewards card and have your VACU account set up to pay it off each month.  A nice way to earn $25-$100 a month for holiday shopping!

- Thomas J.

Moderator's comment: VACU offers a Visa Gold Rebate card that let's you earn up to a 1% annual rebate on all purchases.

Buy in bulk and freeze things that will spoil.  We have cut our grocery bill in half by buying in bulk.

- Cari C.

When paying a dental or a doctor bill (or something similar) always asks if they give a discount for paying in full with cash. Most all doctors’ offices will give you a 5% discount.

- Morgan H.

When preparing meals, make multiple entrees from your main course.  Ex: Rotisserie chicken; chicken breast with gravy for dinner, chicken salad for lunch, and chicken noodle soup for dinner the following night. It has very similar tastes but at the same time very different tastes.

- Ashley P.

Buy generic or store name brands.

- Karen N.

Conserve energy by opening the blinds on sunny days.  Keep those lights off! 

- LaTresha S.

I try to set goals for "no spend days" 3-4 times each week. Then whenever I get an urge to buy a snack or lottery ticket during the day, or stop at the grocery store on the way home from work, I remind myself of my commitment not to spend and I end up saving a lot! Usually what I wanted to buy was an impulse purchase that I really didn't need anyway.

- Jill G.

Save at $5 - $10 from every pay period for your child’s savings account for school, college or just a personal acoount to have for them.

- Ashley S.

I go to Korean BBQ restaurants when I want to go out to eat. They serve large, healthy, vegetable loaded portions with delicious meat choices. $3-10 goes a long way in a Korean restaurant depending on the hour (lunch or dinner). A meal often includes several side dishes (soup, potato salad, salad, marinated vegetables, and more) and your choice of meat. Enjoy!

- Angela N.

A copy of a commercial office suite or photo editing program can cost well over $100, but there are free programs that have most of the same functionality and don't cost you a penny.

- Robert M.

Live within your means.

- Caron W.

Check Craigslist before purchasing anything.  I purchased a brand new Dining Room Suite for 1/4 of the retail.  It was still in the boxes.

- Beth C.

Use newspaper instead of paper towels for doing mirrors and glass. Use multi-surface cleaners instead of buying seperate products for each task.

- Stephanie B.

When entering checks in your checkbook register, round up to the nearest dollar.  At the end of a month or two, use the credit union's balance to record your accurate balance in your check register. Transfer your overage into your savings account.  These extra pennies add up.

- Judy Z.

Prepare your favorite restaraunt meal at home. This saves time and money.

- Nekeisha M.

Have two seperate checking accounts.  One is your "Bills" account for fixed recurring monthly expenses (such as rent/mortgage, electric, water, phone, car payment, groceries etc.)  The other is your "Entertainment" account for discretionary spending (such as gas, entertainment, lunches, clothing, activities with the kids, etc). 

Calculate how much you need to deposit into the Bills account monthly.  Divide this amount by two and direct deposit that amount into your Bills account each paycheck (if you get paid biweekly; if you get paid once a week, divide the amount by 4.)

If you don't touch the Bills account except to pay your bills, you'll have two paychecks worth of money saved up at the end of the year.

- Alex R.

If you are serious about putting money away each month, alway pay your savings account first.  If you "pay the pig" first, the money will not get away from you. When I am paid, I pay my bills and then transfer a set amount straight to my savings account.  I never miss the money because I don’t really "see" it for very long.  It is quickly tucked away in my savings account.

- Susan T.

Use services like AAA to receive discount movie tickets, discount travel, discount auto service, discounts on internet and store, and still have the benefit of safey for tow and roadside assistance.

- Judy S.

Moderator's comment: VACU also offers discount programs to its members for travel, computers and more.

Save gas by planning errands on fewer trips, keeping your tires pressure at the proper level, and use online banking services to pay bills, thus saving unnecessary trips and postage.

- Sherian W.

I set up automatic transfers to go from my checking account to my savings account the day I get paid so that a little of each paycheck automatically goes in savings.

- Jessica F.

I make one pot of coffee in the morning.  After pouring coffee for my wife and I, I pour more water in to the coffee maker to refilll it.  I then take that coffee to work with me.  I save a couple of dollars a day that way because I don't have to buy coffee at work. It adds up to a few hundred dollars in savings over the course of a year!

- David K.

When make a purchase, instead of putting $4.23 in your register, put in $4.50 or instead of $2.83, do $3. By the end of the week if you are like me, you would have accumulated some extra money you didn't count on having.

- Wesley S.

Whenever you work overtime, put the amount of money you earned before taxes into your savings account.

- Flora S.

Instead of paying an automobile repair/warranty extension company, open a “repair savings account” and deposit what you would have paid the for-profit company each month.  That way you retain control of your funds in the unlikely event you ever need them while building up interest and a nest egg - instead of enriching the repair/warranty company.

- Peter F.

Review your landline phone bill for services you are not using or getting the value from. Unlimited local calling can be replaced with limited calling or pay-per-call plans, voice mail can be replaced with an answering machine, maintenance plans can be reduced or eliminated. These changes can save an additional $15 to $20 per month.

- Kimberly R.

Make a habit of saving 10% of any money that you earn or get as a gift.

- Louis C.

Pay your bills when they arrive to eliminate late fees and worries about forgetting to pay them.  Auto pay is ideal, if you like it.  Ask for a lower payment and budget rates.

- B.T.

I find it difficult to resist the temptation to stop for breakfast on the way to work, or to run to the Chinese place for lunch, even on days when I brownbag it.  To help reduce this temptation, I leave all of my debit and credit cards at home on days that I pack my lunch.  No temptation = no spending!

- Alex R.

After receiving your paycheck, set aside a fixed amount to put into your retirement account or savings account. Start small and build up over time.

- Monti D.

Shop for clothes for next year at the end of the season this year.  Merchants put clothes on clearance at the end of the season.  They often sell clothes at prices that are much lower than thrift store prices.

- Cari C.

As interest rates increased on my credit cards, I removed the cards from my wallet and continued monthly payments without adding to balances.  I have quickly paid off cards, closed accounts and found that paying at the time of purchase has reduced monthly bill pay expenses. I've even transferred funds to savings accounts.  It's simply breaking the plastic habit by considering wants vs needs.  Discipline and pre-planning works for me! (Keeping one major card for emergencies only.)

- Virginia E.

Instead of eating out for lunch every day, pack a brown bag lunch.  This way you can decide what you want to eat plus save money.  This can save about $5-$10 per day. 

- LaTresha S.

Place your pocket change in a container each day when you get home. You won't miss it and it adds up quickly.  I have been doing this for years and save about $200 per year doing this.  It becomes my "fun" money.

- John D.

Each time you go to the grocery store you save money.  You save by buying products on sale and/or by using bonus cards and coupons.  After shopping, look at your savings amount and put that amount away.  Do this each time you shop to save money.

- C.T.

I have a certain amount going directly into my savings account before I receive my paycheck.  The funds come off the top and I live off the rest of my pay check.

- Sandy T.

Adjust your thermostat whenever you're going to be away for a few days or more.  No sense cooling the house or heating it if no one's home.

- Alex R.

While interest rates are low, take advantage of CD laddering, putting saving in certificates for short terms with opportunity to add on, and then when rates increases, lock in for longer terms.

- David H.

Moderator's comment: VACU offers savings certificates with attractive rates and terms.

Going grocery shopping has become a faster job, I bring the recycled bag from that particular store and reuse it back and forth and also up front the cashier gives me a nickel for recycling, then I save my nickels to make $2 and bring that along with my rolled up coins to the credit union!

- Anna R.

Each time you use your debit card, deduct $1 more than the debited amount.  This will give you a "cushion" in your bank account and gives you a sense of security.  Who couldn't use a good feeling about money these days?

- Frances W.

Plan your meals a week (or more) ahead of time, and stick to it!

- Shawn C.

Review your bills and spending receipts every Friday or Saturday.  Pay at least one bill at this review.  Try to pay down smaller bills first and if a credit card cease using it.  Move on to each additional credit card.  Make part of this payment, spending review process, giving yourself money in your savings account.  Put your change from each spending outing in a bag and deposit in a savings account.  Regular review of bills will let you know where you can cut down on spending.  Instead of coffee each day, try every other day as an example.

- Judy S.

Going to Costco, Sam's Club or BJ's for items that you know you'll need and use throughout the month (like paper products, juice, milk, toiletries, etc) will save on mini-trips to store throughout the month for these items.  It's cheaper and saves gas $$.

- Sandra R.

Clip all coupons and take the ones you don't use to work to share with others.

- Michelle W.

When you get ready to buy, ask yourself, “Do I have something already that does the same thing for me?” If the answer is yes, you don’t need the latest and greates.

- Janet W.

If you're like us, you never know where it is anyway.  We just use our cell phones now for everything - no long distance and extra charges for this and that.  You can call the phone company and request an emergency line only where you press "0" if you need an ambulance, etc.

- Cari C.

It is cheaper to keep your tank full than to fill an empty tank.  If you let your tank get too low, it will cost you more. You’ll get more mileage if you keep your tank fuller than less full. Test it out.

- B.T.

Save on clothes by shopping at consignment and thift stores.  I find great bargains for all the latest designer wear and it's in very good condition.  It beats high department store prices anytime.

- Angela V.

When I go shopping I often carry things in my "cart" for a bit and then I write down the cost of the items I "put back" to see how much I would save if I didn't purchase them.  At the end of the week I put that money in my "awards" account.  Smart choices are "rewarding." 

- Jene S.