25 Easy ways to find extra cash by Brooke Stephens

from the June 2009 Issue of Ebony Magazine

1. Brown Bag it--save the $5 to $12 for lunch

2. Buy Generics--try Costco or Sam's and save 25 cents by buying store brands

3. Use Coupons--coolsavings.com, coupons.com, smartsource.com (I love double coupons)

4. Garage Sales--clean out your closets and storage!!

5. "Stay-cation" vs vacation--skip this year's cruise and opt for a local attraction

6. Smoking--just quit! save $4 to $5 a day and live longer!

7. Barter--swap services like babysitting and haircuts

8. Library--It's free--books, movies, magazines, and newspapers

9. Water--get a filter and refill bottles at home instead of buying bottled water weekly

10. Regular gas--unless your car manufacturer insists, all cars are calibrated to run off regular

11. Manicures/Pedicures--do them at home once a week and go to the salon when they offer midweek discounts

12. Movie matinees--get there before 6pm--get 1/2 price

13. Dry cleaning--wash sweaters in Woolite and iron your own slacks

14. Cosmetics at the grocery store--yogurt for moisturizer, egg whites
for facial mask, Witch hazel for astringent and cucumbers or tea for nourishment

15. Phone bills--internet based services like Vonage, Skype, etc...can lower monthly bills by 25-40% CELL phone providers offer pay-as-you-go

16. Theater discounts--corporate discounts, unions, etc offer up to 50% or more discounts

17. Prescriptions--if there is no generic version of your medicine, check online for 30% savings

18. Balance Checkbook--avoid NSF (insufficient funds) charges

19. Unplug appliances, TVs, Cell phones, chargers, and computers--they draw electricity even when off

20. Lightbulbs--change to CFLs (compact flourescent lightbulbs) reduce energy costs up to 75%

21. Extended warranties--skip them on appliances...it's a gift to the retailer..most come with a one-year manufacturer warranty

22. Health clubs--employers may offer discount packages, try YMCA

23. Cable service--eliminate premium channels and save $40 a month (hey, you still have ESPN!)

24. Online bill paying--mailing dozoens of checks can cost lots in postage, so automate the recurring bills or go ONLINE!

25. ATMs--use your own bank's ATMs or get cash back at grocers or drug stores.

SMART MOVE!!--carry only cash you need daily!!

SMARTER MOVE!!---TITHE!!--Give 10% of your income to the church where you are being spiritually-fed. The tithe goes to bringing people into the KINGDOM. In my life, it is not optional! I am reaping the harvest of incorporating this in my life.

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38)

Tiffaney K. Draper,
Founder and CEO
designergenesllc@gmail.com
http://designergenesllc.blogspot.com
404-200-7911