Devote 15 Minutes A Day To Being Cheap

Every bit helps, but frugality doesn't have to be a full-time job. Just chip away at wasteful habits a little at a time.

By The Simple Dollar

Over the past few months, I noticed that on an average day, I spend somewhere around 40 minutes engaged in some sort of activity intended to cut costs. I hang clothes out on the line to dry, clip coupons and so forth, and at the end of the month I see the results of that effort when I add up my assets and calculate my net worth. That time spent day in and day out really does save money.

However, many people blow off the concept of frugality because it's "time-consuming." I argue that all it takes is 15 minutes a day to start seeing some serious benefits from frugality -- big enough benefits that they start making a real impact on your monthly budget.

What can I possibly do in 15 minutes that would save money? Here are 20 simple tasks anyone can do in 15 minutes, and the savings really add up over time. (Got suggestions of your own?)

1. Clip coupons from the Sunday newspaper or troll the Internet for more.

2. Write a grocery list (and stick to it when you shop).

3. Check the air pressure in your car tires, including the spare, and fill appropriately.

4. Hang clothes up to dry instead of using the dryer.

5. Go through the house and turn off all electrical devices you're not using.

6. Make your own meal instead of buying takeout or eating out.

7. Do routine maintenance tasks around your home (change the furnace filter, maintain gutters, fireplaces, garbage disposal, etc.).

8. Make your own laundry detergent.

9. Replace light bulbs with CFLs, compact fluorescent lights.

10. Install a programmable thermostat.

11. Plant and maintain a small vegetable garden.

12. Sell off clutter that you don't need and don't use anymore.

13. Read through your community calendar for cheap or free activities.

14. Drive at 65 or under, even on the interstate.

15. Basic hygiene and health: Wash your hands, drink lots of water, etc.

16. Prepare a meal (or a few meals) to stick in the freezer for easy cooking later.

17. Take care of small financial tasks that you've been putting off (protesting fees, requesting a lower rate on your credit card, switching checking accounts, setting up a 401(k), setting up a Roth IRA, etc.).

18. Clean your car's air filter.

19. Learn how to sew and mend things such as buttons, extending the life of clothing.

20. Attend a garage sale instead of flying off to the mall.

Here's the challenge: For the next 30 days, spend 15 minutes each day doing the things on this list and see how your money is doing at the end of the month. If nothing else, you'll find yourself with more spending money. If you're really swift, though, you'll find better things to do with your newfound cash.

This article was written by Trent Hamm, the founder of The Simple Dollar, a blog offering a peek at his recovery from near bankruptcy.

Published June 18, 2007