How to Save Money

my mother insists on constantly changing the thermostat to 68 degrees (F) at night, but during the day to 75 degrees.
Which she insists saves money, but I'm not convinced. Whenever is 75 degrees it feels humid and everyone ends up turning on fans throughout the house. Overall what would be better. Leaving it at 68 constantly and saving on the constant fans, or will the status quo of constantly changing it, and in turn turning on fans still save money overall?

I suggest you keep the temperature at a steady Degree.
Use cold water when doing the laundry. Use compact florescent light bulbs and buy a de-humidifier.
These ideas will save $$ on your electric bill.

I’m 13.
my parents are starting to pressure me into saving money for college, and my first car.
Also, how much money was your first car?
please answer both questions.

13 is as good an age as any to start saving. My first car was a 1972 Chevy Nova I bought out of a friends’ junkyard for $100. I drove it for 2 years while I restored a 1953 Pontiac coupe. Started saving for college at the same time. Back then college was $500 a semester. When I graduated it was near $750.

At 13 you should focus on making and saving some money while you have very few expenses. For income, I did yard work in the neighborhood and junked cars. I would buy old Chryslers , pull out the engines and sell them. I don’t know what business opportunities are in your area; but you should explore them all. Even if you just start selling stuff on eBay, it’s money you can bank. If you live in the USA, you can get college money through the National Guard or reserves. I know a few people who went through college that way.

Hope this helps.

I'm about to be a 19 year old college student and I was wondering what is the best way for me to start saving. After this semester my scholarships will cover all college expenses. Only money I will spend will be for dates, birthdays, holidays, and of course gas money. After this summer I will have sufficient funds to either invest or put money into a savings account and allow it to draw interest. What is the best bet for me to have a reasonable amount to fall back on when I'm older. I'm not asking what will make me a millionaire but what will allow me to live comfortably. Thanks.

If you are looking for retirement money, you will want to start with an IRA. You can open it at most larger banks, or though a stock broker. Up to (currently) $4000 per year can be taken off your taxable income so you won't pay taxes on it until you take it out at retirement age. The money in your IRA is usually invested in stocks and/or mutual funds. They can go up and down, but if you pick good ones, you don't need to worry about temporary decreases at your age.

You may also want to put some of your money in CD's, money market accounts, or similar. They are not tax deferred, but you will be able to get your money much easier if you decide you want to use it for a down payment on a house or other big ticket item.

Essentially, by staying true to this sort of saving, I would like to be a millionair by the time I am sixty years old.
Any reccomendations on what type of account I should open.
Is this just a waste of my time and money? I am 21 years old.

Open an account that yields as high of interest as you can get. If you earn 5% a year, you will only end up with 28,801 when you are sixty. If you add $30 to the amount you put in savings each year, and once you get about 1,000 you start investing in mutual funds (averaging 8% return annually), you will end up with $1,049,272.84 when you turn 60. However, the last few years you are paying at least 1000 a month into savings.

The key to having sufficient funds for retirement is to contribute early and often. If say you stick with the plan adding 30 a year until you are 25 (at which point I am assuming you will have a full time job in your career field) and then add begin to contribute 400 a month at the 8%, you will have $978,788.05 at age 60.

With high gas prices, and the bad economy. What have you been doing to save money? I need help findings ways to save, if not make more money. I am a full time college student with a part time job, and no time to get another job. Any ideas on saving money and/or making more?

Well it all depends on how much necessary and un-neccessary expenses you have. For me, I have started driving my car ONLY if necessary. I stopped buying daily coffee, muffin or lunch from outside, now I make my coffee at home. I dont go to the mall as often, becasue I know if I do, I will end up buying un-necessary things. One more thing is that I use my credit card, that way I keep a better track of my spendings and since it comes with reward points, they usually add up for gift certificates and this is like a little bit of money to spend.

I want to save more money. How can I save money, for example, on lunch costs at work? How much is reasonable to spend every day on lunch and snacks?

Also, what are some good ideas on saving money when purchasing goods and services? For example, buying generic or store brands, etc. Buying in bulk…and so forth. Thank you.

First you have to do a budget. Find out what you're spending money on. Once you have everything listed, cut out what you really don't need. Save what's left over.

Try and get your cash flow (what's left over) positive and as high as possible then save it all. Working overtime or taking odd jobs can add to your cash flow.

Make the money work for you. Make sure you at least put the money in a high APY savings account. There are several out there and they are easy to set up. Links to them are below.

Specific Money Saving Tips
1. Gas - Don't drive aggressively. Keep your tires properly inflated and your car in tune.

2. Home energy - In winter put on a sweatshirt and put your thermostat on 68. In summer, dress like your outside and put your A/C on 72 or higher and use ceiling fans if you have them. Use florescent bulbs wherever possible and always turn off lights when not in immediate use.

3. Shopping - Price compare online whenever possible. At the grocery store, use generic brands. Most of them contain the same ingredients. Use coupons.

I recently recieved an information packet in the mail about Junior Statesmen Summer School! It's a 3-week program designed to help high-school students who are interested in politics to get a head start. I am very excited about this opportunity! However, since almost all of the courses are college-level and I am only in eighth grade right now, I want to wait another year before applying. In the meantime, I need to start saving some money. The total cost for the 3 weeks is $4,150! My family will not be able to afford to contribute very much to that. I will apply for a partial scholarship (I'm guessing about $1000-$2000, but I don't know how much they will give me), but I will have to raise most of the rest of it by myself. I am already babysitting and mowing lawns. What else can I do that will help me earn money?

If you are good with pets…Think about a "Pet babysitting" service. Where you go to the homes of those who are on vacation to feed and water their pets and just give them a wee bit of attention. It is something that does not take money for you to start it.

I am interested in hearing things that you do that not only save money for you (e.g. power bill), but are also great for the environment. For example, a few things that I do to knock down the energy bill and that are good for the enviro:

1- Turn off the A/C when I leave my apartment
2- Use a drying rack instead of the dryer for my clothes
3- Keep almost all lights turned off
4- Don't leave appliances on

A few other random things that I do that help save me money and are good for the environment are things like catching the bus to school, recycling (hehe, although doesn't really save me money), trying to minimize driving, taking showers instead of baths, and that's about it. Any other things you do around your house to save on the money and help the environment?

Here is a list with something for everybody
Everybody is different with different lives here are a 101 Ways To Live More Ecologically,may be you find something that applies to you

1. Avoid disposable in favor of reusable
items.
2. Avoid drying rags in a clothes dryer.
3. Avoid power appliances when handpower works.
4. Avoid highly processed foods.
5. Avoid using styrofoam—it can't be recycled.
6. Avoid watering driveways and sidewalks.
7. Be responsible and creative with leftover foods.
8. Buy in bulk goods to reduce wasted packaging.
9. Buy energy efficient electric appliances.
10. Buy foods without additives.
11. Buy foods without preservatives.
12. Buy food and goods from sources you trust
13. Buy large quantities to reduce shopping trips.
14. Buy living Christmas trees.
15. Buy locally grown food and produce.
16. Buy organic, pesticide-free foods.
17. Compost your food scraps.
18. Discover and protect watersheds in your area,
19. Don't burn trash or other smoky materials.
20. Drain cooking grease onto paper bags, not paper towels.
21. Drive a fuel-efficient car.
22. Drive less: walk, bicycle, carpooland use public transportation.

23. Eat foods low on the food chain; avoid meat.
24. Eat more natural, nutritious foods.
25. Educate elected representatives on ecology.
26. Exercise regularly.
27. Explore and learn about your bioregion.
28. Grow your own food, even a small amount.
29. Hang dry some or all of your clothes.
30. Heat your home less and wear warmer clothes.
31. Heat your home more with renewable energies.
32. Hold a potluck dinner to discuss local ecology.
33. If you use a dishwasher, turn off the drying cycle.
34. Install a water-conserving device in your toilets.
35. Install a water-conserving showerhead.
36. Insulate your home to maximum efficiency.
37. Invest for social responsibility as well as profit.
38. Invest in solar power, where practical.
39. Invest in well-made, long-lived clothing.
40. Keep hazardous chemicals in safe containers.
41. Keep appliance motors well adjusted for efficiency.
42. Mend and repair rather than discard and replace.
43. Oppose meddling in ecological balance.
44. Oppose private development of special areas.
45. Oppose roadside use of defoliants.
46. Organize or join a neighborhood toy exchange.

47. Pick up litter along streets and highways.
48. Plant native trees and shrubs around your home.
49. Plant trees throughout your community.
50. Plant your living Christmas tree.
51. Practice preventive health care.
52. Practice responsible family planning.
53. Prepare only as much food as will be eaten.
54. Protect your favorite distinctive natural areas.
55. Purchase goods in reusable/recyclable containers.
56. Put a catalytic converter on your wood stove.
57. Put toxic substances out of reach of children.
58. Recycle aluminum.
59. Recycle glass.
60. Recycle newspaper.
61. Recycle old clothes.
62. Recycle plastic.
63. Recycle used motor oil.
64. Recycle your unneeded items.
65. Re-use paper bags.
66. Re-use plastic bags for storage and waste.
67. Save up for full loads in clothes washers.
68. Save up for full loads in dishwasher.
69. Shop by phone, then go pick up your purchases.
70. Speak out about your values in community groups.
71. Support efficient energy sources in your bioregion.
72. Support elected representatives on ecological issues.
73. Support energy conservation in your bioregion.

74. Support global ecological improvement efforts.
75. Support local credit unions.
76. Support local merchants before large chains.
77. Support neighborhood food cooperatives.
78. Support proper waste water and sewage treatment.
79. Support the cultural diversity in your bioregion.
80. Support the plants and animals in your community.
81. Take shorter showers.
82. Teach your children ecological wisdom.
83. Turn down the thermostat on your water heater.
84. Turn off the lights when not needed.
85. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.
86. Use biodegradable soaps and detergents.
87. Use cloth diapers.
88. Use cloth table napkins.
89. Use less tapwater whenever possible.
90. Use non-toxic pest control.
91. Use only medications you trust/understand.
92. Use rags or towels instead of paper.
93. Use rechargeable batteries.
94. Use the second side of paper for scratch paper.
95. Use water from cooking vegetables to make soup.
96. Volunteer for work in a community garden.
97. Volunteer to maintain local parks and wilderness.
98. Wash clothes in cold water.
99. Wash dishes in still, not running water.
100. Weather-seal your home.
101. Work to unlearn poor ecological habits.

http://www.lib.niu.edu/ipo/1996/ip960321…