by David K McMillin

Created on: January 25, 2010   Last Updated: January 26, 2010

So you are looking for some ways to come up with extra cash. Maybe you are living on a very tight budget, working a minimum wage job, want to squirrel away extra cash into a savings account, or you have lost your job. Whatever the reason you need to make every dollar count. So here are eight extreme measures you can take to capture some extra cash.

1) Cut the amount of toiletries used by half. Do you really need to to cover your entire toothbrush with toothpaste? Cover only half. Do the same with your shampoo, shaving cream, conditioner, hand soap, etc. This may not seem like much but consider this, if a tube of toothpaste cost $3.00 and you go through one tube every month then cutting the amount of paste used will result in saving $1.50 per month or $18 a year. On the surface this is not much money but when you look around your home to find other such item the savings will add up.

2) Instead of driving to the grocery store walk. This will save you money in two ways. The first one is in the gas you do not have to put into your car. The second way you save money is in the fact that you can only carry so much stuff in your arms or pack. That bag is chips or bottle of pop now becomes a little more difficult to manage and more then likely will get left at the grocery store. You will also have the added benefit of a little exercise and maybe even some weight loss.

3) Instead of going to the laundry mat wash your clothing in the bathtub. Yes this is a great deal of work but think of all the quarters you will not plug into the washer and dryer. If this is too extreme just cut out the drying of your clothing and air dry them instead.

4) Cut the amount of meat you cook with by at least half. Meat can be used as a flavor and other foods such as potatoes can be used for bulk.

5) Walk, ride your bike, or take the bus to work. Leaving the car at home will save wheelbarrows full of cash. If you drive 30 minute each way that is approximately 30 miles (highway driving). For many cars that comes to about 2 gallons of gas. At $3 a gallon you would be spending $12.00 a day for the daily commute or $240 a month. If the bus costs $2 a day then you will spend $40 a month which is a $200 saving every month. By not driving as often you will also increase the lifespan of your car and increase the time between routine maintenance checkups.

6) Stop going to the movies. Movies are hugely expensive costing upwards of $10 per person. A family of four without popcorn and pop costs $40. If

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>