This Yahoo article caught my attention since I love money saving tips. According to it, you can save $1000 by the the holidays if you do the following 10 things:
1. Lower your cell phone bill. Potential savings: $100.
2. Lose your land line. Potential savings: $140.
3. Staycation instead of vacation. Potential savings: $1,000+.
4. Raise your insurance deductibles. Potential savings: $250.
5. Drop the gym. Potential savings: $150.
6. Drop premium cable channels — or drop cable altogether. Potential savings: $50 – $600.
7. Sell Stuff. Potential earnings: $400+.
8. Save on Food. Potential savings: $300+.
9. Haggle. Potential savings: $500+.
10. Carry only cash: Potential savings: $250+.
I wondered how much we could save if we followed all of these tips. Let’s see:
1. Lower your cell phone bill. Potential savings: $100.
We use our minutes pretty well and spend a little less than $80 a month for two lines, so I think we’re pretty much to the bone for us. Our Savings – $0.
2. Lose your land line. Potential savings: $140.
Already lost. Our Savings – $0.
3. Staycation instead of vacation. Potential savings: $1,000+.
We already took our big vacation for the year and don’t have another vacation planned before Christmas, so… Our Savings – $0
4. Raise your insurance deductibles. Potential savings: $250.
Our deductibles are currently $500 and I’m not willing to go up to $1000 to save money for Christmas presents. Our Savings – $0.
5. Drop the gym. Potential savings: $150.
No gym memberships. Our Savings – $0.
6. Drop premium cable channels — or drop cable altogether. Potential savings: $50 – $600.
We love our cable and our DVR, but if we dropped them, we could save $240 by Christmas. Our Savings – $240.
7. Sell Stuff. Potential earnings: $400+.
I am selling random stuff we don’t want or use, but so far I’ve only made $75. If I really work at it, I could see us bringing in about $200. Anybody need a Size 14-16 Wedding Dress? Our Savings – $200.
8. Save on Food. Potential savings: $300+.
If we really cut back, we could save another $75 a month. Our Savings – $300.
9. Haggle. Potential savings: $500+.
I might be able to get our cable bill down $10 a month. Our Savings – $40.
10. Carry only cash: Potential savings: $250+.
I’m not kidding – cash and me don’t mix well. I seem to see it as Monopoly money and it does darkly into the night. I can’t keep up with it and it disappears. Our Savings – $0 (probably actually a negative number, but I’ll be nice).
Total Savings from these tips by Christmas: $780 but we’d be pretty crabby without our cable and DVR. Not too shabby though. Overall, I’m impressed by the list which doesn’t happen too often. 
What would you save if you followed some of these tips?
I’m with you on the cash. Plus I inexplicably gain weight when I walk around with cash. I think the two are related via vending machine Cheetos.
Our cell is identical to yours. No landline. If DH doesn’t see his relatives regularly he wilts, so no cutting off vacations. Our deductibles are maxed. No gym. No tv. We could sell stuff but that would take time and effort– we will donate stuff which will save something on taxes come April. Unwilling to cut back on fancy cheeses and fresh organic produce. We already haggled with the cell company… if our DSL ever gets installed it’s already at their special price.
So I guess we’re already frugal to the bone. It doesn’t really feel like it. I suppose we could cut back our netflix subscription but that would make me sad.
I’m with you on the DVR and cable tv. DVR has really changed the way we watch television, and we really enjoy watching movies so we splurge on the premium channels because we know we’ll get our money’s worth.
1. Lower your cell phone bill. – We could cut the data plan, but I’ve gotten hooked. I’ve got a ubiquitous-internet monkey on my back and I can’t get it off. Plus, all of my side-hustles are internet-based or -marketed. I haven’t done the math, but I think the data plan is close to paying for itself. Potential savings: $50. Realistic: $0.
2. Lose your land line. We have a landline and are not willing to lose it. My son spends time home alone and needs a phone for emergencies. My mother-in-law calls and talks a LOT. Savings: $0
3. Staycation instead of vacation. We just came back from vacation, where we dropped a bit over $1000. Our first vacation that didn’t accumulate debt! Savings: $0.
4. Raise your insurance deductibles. When we got our initial emergency fund set up, we boosted our deductibles to $1000. My family is in construction, so home claims will always come in under what the insurance company wants to pay. Car claims may hit the emergency fund. $0 left to be saved.
5. Drop the gym. Fat and lazy is working for me.
6. Drop premium cable channels — or drop cable altogether. Our cable bill exists just for the internet access and the Tivo is paid until next summer. $0.
7. Sell Stuff. We keep selling our crap. We make $100 or so per month.
8. Save on Food. We’re down to $450/month for 5.5 people(roommate eats with us sometimes). I don’t know how much lower we can realistically go.
9. Haggle. I try to reduce all of our bills often. Elsewhere, I don’t haggle much. I’m not very good at it.
10. Carry only cash: This has saved us a ton of money. Easily $500/month. If we’re out of cash, we can’t spend anything.
@Nicole, that’s where we are – we already cut back in the areas we didn’t care much about and already chose to spend in the other areas because we wanted to, so it’s hard to save without giving up something we actually want. Hubby’s exact words were “we will give up cable and DVR if it’s a choice between cable and starving. That’s it”.
@Mike, we don’t have the movie channels, but we got Netflix to feed that need (the $18 a month for Netflix was cheaper than the $30 a month our stupid cable company wanted for the movie channels). Yep, we are happy addicts and now that we can stream Netflix through our Wii to our tv, I’m an ecstatic addict.
@Jason, you are not allowed to speak to Mr. BFS about your data plan…I’m still trying to avoid that whole expense.
Fat and lazy was working for us too, but now we are just trying out lazy (he stopped drinking soda and I’ve cut my portion sizes, so we are both trying to go from fat to chubby to regular sized within the next year or so…).
So cash works for you all? That’s cool to know that it does indeed work for someone. This is why personal finance has to have that personal part – obviously we all don’t react the same way to the same stuff.
Thanks for the breakdown!
Cash has been great. At the beginning of the month, I take out all our cash for the month. When we’re out, we’re out.
With cards, it was so easy to spend, without worrying about exactly how much was going out.
I love my cable, so that isn’t going anywhere. I have considered dropping the landline, but I just haven’t gotten there yet mentally.
Once the kids get back to school, I am going to take a day and try and negotiate with our car insurance and cable companies. I need to do some research first so I can ask for a realistic rate.
I use my American Express Blue Cash rewards for most of my Christmas shopping. It is free cash they give me in December for my spending over the previous 12 months. The timing is perfect!
Heehee, fat and lazy… that totally describes me too.
But DH is thinking of adding gym membership and/or a personal trainer this year. If that makes him happier I’m perfectly willing for us to foot that expense. Though personally I think getting up at 6am on Saturdays with the push mower is pretty good exercise for him.
btw, the little comment luv thing is a few days off for us… today’s post is actually about couples and finances (and sitting lonely with zero comments).
I could save probably $95 or so if I got rid of my cell phone and our landline, but for the rest the only real potential savings area is vacations. Since those are usually what I save *for*, it would be silly to eliminate them.
This is why I make presents…
1. Cell phone bill is HIGH and it feels like a problem. We have 4 phones, though, and the family plan rates are listed on the company’s site. Don’t see us dropping the phones or having much room for negotiation plus still under contract).
2. Have the bundle: WIFI internet, digital voice (w/old land line phone #), and digital cable. I just negotiated another 12 mos. at current rate, so…
3. Have been doing the ‘staycation’ for over 3 years now…
4. Have already raised auto ded. to $1000. Will look into the prop.: $150.
5. No gym. Treadmill and weights in basement.
6. See #2.
7. Just sold old textbooks for $250. Potential Earnings/Savings: $400.
8. Food expenses fluctuate SO MUCH each month. Pot. Savings: $1000.
9. HATE haggling, but will try w/regular bills. Pot. Sav.: $50.
10. Carry only cash? R U kidding? With 3 kids…I would feel like an ATM!
@Jason, I can see the cash system working, but most of our fun money is spent online, how do you do online deal finding with cash? I know you can use Paypal through Ebay, but how about Amazon?
We do feel free to buy things we want on credit more often than with cash, but not overall in a year. The hassle of withdrawing the cash would just move our purchases into one month instead of spread out. Since I input all our purchases into our budget, I know that we don’t buy things that we wouldn’t have bought anyway…luckily we don’t feel the need to spend unless we actually want or need something enough to take it out of the appropriate storage accounts (home, auto, fun, vacation, etc).
But I am very glad the cash system helps keep you on track. I really enjoy your goal updates and reading on how you all are clobbering away at your debt!
When I shop online, I keep track of how much I spend and subtract it from the next month’s cash pile. If I drop $50 at Amazon this month, next month I’ll have $50 less in the discretionary pile.
In theory.
In reality, those purchases usually nickel-and-dime the extra money that comes in.
But whatever works. Everybody gets to do whatever works for them. You’re obviously more disciplined with plastic than I am!
@Everyday Tips, ah, another cable addict.
We are a lonely group in the personal finance blog world…
@Nicole, I had a personal trainer 2 years ago for one month. It does work miracles if you’re willing to workout regularly. I lost 10 pounds and only saw her once a week. I just hit a mental wall and got tired of working out and spending $30 a week to be told I could be doing more…
Comment Luv has glitches…whenever it starts messing up my comments on other posts, I deactivate and reactivate the one on my blog and that somehow fixes the problem (I have no idea why). I’ll do it again on my site right now in case that helps you too. I’ll also visit your lonely post when I get home since you are blocked from me at work (I hate our Nazi website blocker…).
@Jackie, exactly. I refuse to elimate our vacations since that is our sole moyivation to save as much as we do towards retirement…
@Jenna, what kind of presents do you make?
@Holly, LOL about that ATM comment! Our food expenses also fluctuated over the summer while Mr. BFS was home most days (he likes fast food…). I cannot wait for the school cafeteria to open up next week since that at least locks in $2.15 for his lunches…
@Jason, it sounds like we pretty much operate the same way – we just treat all shopping like you treat online shopping, lol. When we make a purchase, it has to be able to be covered by cash from the appropriate account. At the end of the month, I grab all that money from their different spots to cover the credit card bill. We check these accounts regularly to make sure we are staying on track everywhere and all savings goals are funded first thing so we can only operate with the remainder.
@BFS – I’m a decent baker, so cookies and breads. And I home brew and make special labels and have 6 packs to give out. And I make wine cork-corkboards when it’s crummy out.
@Jenna, YUM! My birthday is towards the end of the year, so put me down for some cookies and bread!
A couple of my coworkers home brew…they seem to spend more time making their cool-looking labels at work than actually doing anything beer related.
@BFS – Ah! But TX is very far from where I live. Not very economical to send stuff there. Labels are fun. However, the labor of love I call homebrewing is just as fun.
@Jenna, I am glad you enjoy homebrewing! I’m sad you won’t be sending me fresh bread, lol.
Just curious, what is your plan of action for lowering your cable bill by $10 a month?
Great list!
This was an inspiration–but in an odd way. I realized that I’d rather have various good things/experiences spread through the year (esp the vacation) than one big holiday blowout. Thanks for getting me thinking!
That’s a really good point, frugalscholar.
Hubby feels the same way about DVR/TV/movie costs. He’d rather cut elsewhere, since those are the things he gets the most enjoyment out of!
@myfinancialobjectives, I seem to be able to get a $10-$20 reduction by calling every 6 months, but I let it lapse…it really is a pain to haggle/beg all the time…
@frugalscholar, yes, I too would rather have the $1000 for the vacation and spread out through our fun stuff; not just one big Christmas.
@Penny, exactly. Mr.BFS thinks that cable and DVR are one of the things he makes a paycheck for…
I would love to get rid of my landline, but my wife won’t have it…
Say, I like Kris’s idea use my American Express Blue Cash rewards for most of my Christmas shopping. It is free cash they give me in December for my spending over the previous 12 months. The timing is perfect
Perhaps I’ll start to use my rewards card that way too! We’ll see…
Hey great new Avatar/Gravatar!!!! I like it!!!
@Money Reasons, I like Kris’s idea too! Thanks about the Gravatar! I thought it oozed “Fun Stuff”, lol.
I got rid of the landline, what a waste that was with both of our cell phones.
Of course, those pesky smart phone data charges take away some of those saving:) Found this out as I recently upgraded from my antique cell phone.
@Squirrelers, okay, you and Jason are both not allowed to talk to Mr. BFS about data packages, capiche?
Well,
I’ve already done all of those things a long time ago except for sell stuff which we’re slowly doing because we’re moving and clearing out excess.
I been on a cash budget for years. That’s how I save a lot of money.
I think it’s a good list. I haven’t missed my cable or DVR in months. In fact, I’m watching more TV now without them than when I had them. Oh the irony.
@Kim, another cash budget follower – very cool! Glad you’re saving a ton! Are you using the savings regularly or for Christmas?
1. Lower your cell phone bill. Potential savings: $100.
Our cell phone bill is $120 a month with our discount. It’s a data plan, and I do not want to decrease it. I use it a lot.
2. Lose your land line. Potential savings: $140.
Already lost. Our Savings – $0. Same here.
3. Staycation instead of vacation. Potential savings: $1,000+.
Does it count as a staycation if I stay in my Grandma’s house on the other side of the world? One month vacation in grandma’s house: $3000, including airfare.
4. Raise your insurance deductibles. Potential savings: $250.
Not worth it. We have $250 deductibles. To raise to $1000 would only save us $6 a month.
5. Drop the gym. Potential savings: $150.
Free gym at work – no savings.
6. Drop premium cable channels — or drop cable altogether. Potential savings: $50 – $600.
No cable already – no savings
7. Sell Stuff. Potential earnings: $400+.
Don’t have stuff we can sell right now. My husband is the anti-hoarder.
8. Save on Food. Potential savings: $300+.
I won’t compromise on quality of food. When I did, I could get by on $200 a month.
9. Haggle. Potential savings: $500+.
I do haggle. Saves me a little here and there.
10. Carry only cash: Potential savings: $250+.
Carrying only cash would generate $1000 in negative savings. Yes, I did the cash experiment and I am as profligate with cash as some are with CC’s. I cannot be allowed to carry cash.
@Julie, I loved that anti-hoarder comment! I see cash and you get along as well as cash and me… Thanks for participating!
It looks like we have already done most of these. but we do have room for improvement in some areas.
Maybe you can replace the cable/DVR with Netflix. It worked for us – but then again, we don’t watch a lot of tv, so this may not work for everyone.
@Khaleef, we actually have Netflix too. We like them all.
what about buying all your presents now (or throughout the year) when on clearance to dish out during holiday season? you will save money, time, fuel and frustration from bumping elbows in jam packed malls.
personally, we keep a closet full of gift stuff. if i was to guestimate our average cost to gift someone, i’d guess it is in the $8-10 range including the gift wrap, gift paper and gift bag. i am not talking cheap gifts either, i am talking kitchenette sets, designer colognes and fragrances, branded wallets and purses, “wanted” electronics, etc.
@Sunil, you are a more patient person than me! I can’t sit on a gift longer than a few weeks – it’s hard to even keep my mouth shut about gifts for others…it’s just too fun to find the “perfect” gift for the perfect person.
Now we do keep gift wrap, bags, and tissue paper in the hall closet and I only refresh it with discount buys or gift bags we are given.
Funny how things we didn’t give any thought to previously have become second nature in everyday life-seems like a lot of us have already taken at least half these steps. My worst on the list is probably also keeping cash…burns a hole in my pocket! Gym not far behind…pay for it then don’t go very often
My best saver on the list would have to be cell phone. It’s one thing that seems to be taking people a while to adopt. My saving started happening when I went prepaid. Do some research; there are some great deals out there. Straight Talk unlimited = $45(I also have a problem here with keeping my phone usage down, thus unlimited everything, incl. web). On a $100 contract plan that’s a $55 saving every month. Need to save more or don’t need as much, go for the $30 option – a hefty $70 saving. Over the next 4 mths, $280 saved…Merry Christmas! 
@Lesley, Merry Christmas! Prepaid cells wouldn’t save Mr. BFS and me any money, but I know they are perfect for my parents and sisters. Mr. BFS and I pay $80 a month with taxes for 2 lines and use about 600 anytime minutes, 60-80 texts, and 1400 night/weekend/Sprint PCS to PCS minutes.
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