We love finding hidden money! We know there are simple things we can do to save money, but sometimes we need to see the numbers to be reminded how much those simple choices can save us.
Trent at the Simple Dollar added up his savings after making some simple substitutions in his life – the grand total, $1665 a year. Now that is pretty inspiring!
You can check out the whole article here:
Drink water instead of soda.
Average annual savings: $152
Facts: Tap water is essentially free. The average American consumes 216 liters of soda per year, or 7,300 ounces. You can purchase a twelve pack of twelve ounce cans for $3, typically, so the cost is $3 per 144 ounces. This adds up to an annual cost of $152.
Carpool with another driver two days a week (driving once and riding once).
Average annual savings: $868.60
Facts: The average commute is 16 miles one way, giving a round trip of 32 miles. The average maintenance cost per mile on an American car is 52.2 cents. Thus, the cost of a single commute is $16.70, including fuel, depreciation, and all maintenance costs, and thus riding with someone else once a week (and letting them ride with you once a week) saves 52 commutes, a total savings of $868.60.
Install a programmable thermostat and set it to turn off your heating or cooling at night.
Average annual savings: $248
Facts: Using the assumptions in the EnergyStar programmable thermostat calculator for a typical American home with typical energy costs ($0.11 per kilowatt hour) and assuming only nighttime use, a programmable thermostat reduces the energy bill by $248 per year.
We love green ways to save – if you like this idea, do some more reading here:
Love The Earth and Your Wallet Will Thank You
Inspiration To Be Green and Save Green
4 Easy Green Steps To Save $900 a Year
Wait one more week before getting a haircut.
Average annual savings: $63.90
Facts: The average haircut costs $45 The average time between haircuts is five and a half weeks, or 39 days. Thus, an average person gets 9.35 haircuts per year. Waiting just seven days longer reduces that count to 7.93 annual cuts, or 1.42 fewer cuts per year, a savings of $63.90.
Eat leftovers for dinner one night a week.
Average annual savings: $334.14
Facts: The average cost of a moderate meal plan for a family of four . That’s 120 meals, giving an average meal cost of $6.43 (averaging home meals, restaurant meals, etc.). Assuming a leftover meal to be free, a year’s worth of weekly leftover meals saves $334.14.
Small changes, that add up to big savings– without sacrifice or deprivation. Sounds good to us! What do you think Cookies, would you be able to save with these substitutions?
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