Try Cheaper Options Money Saving Tips

You can often get the same performance and quality from a similar product from a different manufacturer or supplier.

Could cheaper options give you the same results and save you money?

Here’s what you could try.

71. Gas

There are plenty of websites and apps that will help you find the lowest price for gas in your area.

Instead of always filling up in the city centre near work for convenience, you might be able to save money by using a gas station on your way home.

Also, remember to look for different brands of gas which may be a lot cheaper without affecting the performance or gas mileage of your car.

72. Clothes

If you have favourite clothing brands, or always shop at the same places, could you reduce how much you spend on clothes?

Perhaps you could try a different brand or retailer. You won’t know whether cheaper options mean you can spend less on your jeans, shoes or kids clothes unless you try.

Remember to think about durability though. If you’re buying a $20 pair of jeans or shoes every month or so, they won’t work out cheaper than an $80 pair that you know will last you a year.

What else could you change and save on?

73. Commute and Travel

Could you save money on your travel?

Perhaps you could find cheaper parking for work, or maybe get a bus instead of a cab?

Maybe you could get a train instead of a flight to visit your family in the next state.

Also, investigate travelling at different times of day – choosing earlier or later journeys can be much cheaper options than travelling at peak times.

74. Food

Changing brands or your supermarket can save you a lot of money.

Remember the saying, “Eye level is buy level”. The supermarkets want you to spend more, and so put the more expensive items on the eye level shelves. You’ll find the leading (and most expensive) brands at this height.

Try looking a shelf down and trying the cheaper options.

As well as saving money you might discover new brands or even new products that you never knew about.

The discount supermarkets might not be as visually enticing as your normal supermarket, but with fewer distractions, your shopping is likely to cost you less.

Depending on your situation, you might want to try buying your groceries online too. You’ll need to make a list, and make sure that you’ll be in when your order is delivered, so it won’t be appropriate for everyone.

75. Eating out

We all enjoy eating out, but could you eat at cheaper options without sacrificing quality or enjoyment?

Perhaps you want to keep your favorite restaurant for those extra special occasions, but what about eating out somewhere cheaper now and again?

What about eating at a chain restaurant instead? Or somewhere out of the city centre?

What about treating yourself to some luxury ingredients, getting the children involved, and making something amazing at home instead? Your children are likely to enjoy it just as much.

76. Electronics

If you’re looking for electronic items, do you have to choose one of the leading brands? Do you have to buy it from a store in the mall immediately?

If you’re replacing a TV in the guest room that gets little use, does it have to be the same brand and have the same features as your main TV?

Could you wait a couple of days and buy it cheaper online?

The same goes for many other items, but some people are more brand-aware when it comes to electronics, but maybe now is the time to try some of the cheaper options for yourself.

77. Medication

If you’re on long term medication, or have a few favorite remedies for certain conditions, could you spend less on your medication by switching brand or supplier?

Do you buy things like the branded cold and flu remedies and spend a fortune?

Could cheaper options do the same job?

78. Spectacles

If you’re looking for new spectacles, could a pair from a supermarket be as comfortable and stylish as the pair of designer frames you’re looking at?

Depending on your prescription, you might be able to get a pair off-the-shelf for a fraction of the price of going to see an optician.

79. Replacement parts

If you’re replacing your laptop power cable, a bulb in the car, or a controller for your games console, could you save money by buying a compatible part, rather than the manufacturer-branded part?

For some items you definitely want to make sure that the product is as good as the original. Things like the brakes for your car or the screen for your laptop need to be the same quality and performance, but for others, perhaps like an interior bulb for your car, or a mouse for your computer, one of the cheaper options might make more financial sense.

Remember to have a look online for prices and compatibility too. You might find out that the car part you need fits a wide range of makes and models. It could be cheaper if you search for eg a Ford or General Motors bulb rather than a BMW bulb.

80. Mechanic

Depending on your car and your warranty (if any) you might be able to take your car to any mechanic, rather than the main dealer to have it serviced or repaired, which will usually save you money.

You’ll need to check first.

Perhaps a local mechanic will be easier to get to, as well as more convenient, meaning that you won’t need to take time off work, or get a cab, bus or train to work when your car’s being fixed.

What other cheaper options of work could you get done cheaper by choosing an authorised or independent repair center rather than a main dealer?

Conclusion

Knowing when cheaper options provide the same performance, and when to spend a bit more money is likely to help you save money.

What other cheaper options could you try?

We’ll be posting our next 10 money saving tips next month.

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