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genuinegirly · 07-06-2011, 06:13 AM

Here are some tips on saving from a CNN Money article: 7 ways to save on everyday expenses - Faster, better, cheaper: Ways to save (1) - CNNMoney

Quote:

7 ways to save on everyday expenses

A better way to cut your property tax
Wayne Seifert
Age: 62

In 2008, the county raised my property taxes an exorbitant amount, so I made an appeal to lower them. I looked at the houses that had been sold within a five-mile radius and the home values were not supporting the tax assessment, so I did a first-level appeal with the tax assessor in my area. I showed her the hard data and she realized that my home had been over-assessed. Through presenting facts, I was able to lower the assessment by $60,000, a nearly 20% decrease. That saves $237 a year.
A cheaper way to stay on vacation
Bruce Ahrendt
Age: 56

When traveling, I can usually get much better accommodations (such as a fully-furnished condo) at choice spots by renting directly from the owners. I've used both VRBO and FlipKey with great success. You can usually get a really good feel for what you might be getting by checking the reviews and it's half the price of a hotel. We vacation at least once a year and we usually do a week to two weeks at a shot, so we're saving several hundred dollars and we're getting much nicer places.

A cheaper way to landscape Michelle Waldman
Age: 34

Many people hire outsiders to do yard work, landscaping and cleaning, but we save money by doing chores on the weekends and getting tools and materials from Craigslist. My husband built a retaining wall in the yard with paver stones from Craigslist. It turned out really well -- the neighbors even thought we had a professional do it. And those paver stones can be expensive. If you add it all up, we saved about a thousand dollars -- just on yard work.

A better way to cut car insurance
John McRory
Age: 57

With my boys away at college, I contacted my car insurance company and I asked the agent what the rates were in Albany, where my sons go to school. The auto insurance rates were much cheaper than here where I lived, so I explained that they had their cars there nine months out of the year and they got a lower rate. They each saved a few hundred dollars that way.

A faster way to donate money
Denis Bekaert
Age: 68

For the last few years, we have made our charitable donations in appreciated stocks. It's simply a matter of transferring the stock from your account to theirs. This eliminates the capital gains tax and allows us to either increase our effective giving or at least avoid paying additional taxes. We give about $10,000 to our church and other charities so we save pretty close to $1,000.

A cheaper way to trade stocks online
Bill Hanousek
Age: 66

I have a TD Ameritrade account and am an active trader. I simply called and asked for a lower commission rate. All I said was how about a break on the commission? They won't call you and say 'Hey would you like a discount on this?' Bottom line...call and ask! I saved about $2 a trade and that's a couple of hundred bucks over the course of the year.

A cheaper way to buy big items Mike O'Brien

Age: 36

I am amazed at the frequency with which I can get a discount by simply asking -- at least 50% of the time I get some savings. I went to a big-box retail store and bought a TV. Since it was a pretty big purchase I figured why not ask? The manager came over and agreed to knock off 10% and throw in some cables. Just by asking I saved about $120.