AARP Rewards Online Community Smart Saver Contest

I am an avid reader and was spending a lot on books. I am now a book reader and reviewer and many publishing companies offer a program for book reviewers. I receive most books free from the publishers now. All I have to do is post my book reviews on Amazon and other book companies like Barnes and Noble. I also have a book account on Instagram @life_love_and_books. I enjoy the brainpower it takes to create reviews having conversations with others about books. So healthy and saves so much money! 🙂

When I go out for an errand, I always plan at least two that I can do on the way to one another so I save gas by making say a loop instead of straight to one then home again - especially now with the gas crunch, it can be a huge savings! 

Also, I am disabled, and occasionally just need to order in food - whenever I do, I try to order a second or even third meal so that I have them leftover for another night I may be too tired to actually cook - this way the tip and delivery fees are spread across a few meals instead of one making them not as expensive as could be. If you receive any state or federal benefits look for programs that offer discounts for recipients!

I buy extra non-perishables at the grocery store when they are on sale. I write the month & year on the label on the jar. When January comes I go through and find the oldest jars and try to use them up in the first few months of the year.

If I have to take funds from savings to make a large purchase, I pay myself back monthly. I usually pay back at least $100 monthly, so some purchases take only a few months to pay back, while others may take a few years.  I put funds into my credit union "Christmas Club" monthly and limit my Christmas spending to the balance of the funds in that account.  The account pays higher interest also.  I take advantage of high yield savings accounts at different banks and open CDs when I know I have funds that I can afford to stash away for a year or so.  But caution.....interest is income and can increase your overall income for taxes.  I charge purchases on my credit card and then write it in my checkbook. I pay the credit card bill when I have a full page in my checkbook.  That way I get the reward points on the credit card but do not have an outstanding balance. Years ago, I limited myself to two credit cards, one for gas and one for all other purchases.  Keep the limit low and avoid impulse buying. If you don't need it, don't buy it.  Always put funds away for a "rainy day" on a regular basis.  I use apps like Rakuten and Ibotta to get a little extra cash each month, which I stow away in savings and keep until I can open a CD.  I totally believe in saving whatever I can on a monthly basis.    

I have a large garden in the summer and can and freeze a lot before winter.  We also raise our own pigs and have chickens.  Not only does it save us money, but we know what is in the food we are eating.  I am well-known in my family for my frugality and I am greatly enjoying the other posts here.  Keep saving!

I frequently participate in the rewards program offered through my local drug store. I allow my points to build up and when I travel, I use my points to purchase snacks and drinks for the road trip. I'll also shop with points when I stay at hotels and purchase microwave meals or soup to save on eating out. 

I also collect discarded pop cans when I take my neighborhood walk.  Not only am I getting exercise, but I'm also helping to keep the neighborhood free from litter.  Once I get a big sack or two of cans collected - I'll take them in to the local recycling center and turn the trash into cash. I have a special "can jar" that I save the funds for a rainy day. It may seem silly to some - but it's amazing how much money you can accumulate by developing a consistent routine.

Couple quickies. 1- buy frozen veggies. they are usually cheaper that fresh produce, flash frozen so last longer and retains nutrients, and convenient when needing something for a soup/stew/side.

2- if you are buying on credit cards, make sure you are reviewing and maximizing savings with each. ex: I use Amazon Visa to get 5% cash back on purchases through Amazon, and HEB grocery store visa which give me 5% on HEB name brand product, then 1.5% on everything else. I let the cashback accumulate until December and then use it for 'free' Christmas present purchases.

Instead of giving your books you have already read away or putting them in recycling, keep putting them in a box as you read them and sell them. You can sell them to sell.worldofbooks.com. They even give you a price quote for each one after you enter the ISBN number or scan the code on your book. They also pay the shipping. 

I look for "specials" and buy accordinglyi.

I look die "specials" and buy accordingly!