Making It In Maine
Program Elements Library Material Workshops Lectures Book Groups Cooking Classes Interactive Exhibit curtismoney.com
Money $aving Tips You can do it! We can help.
Suze Orman, Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan “The most effective cash-generating action you need to take is to spend less. The less you spend, the more money you will have after paying the monthly bills to put toward reducing credit card debt, building your emergency savings, and increasing your retirement investing.”
54 Ways to Save Money $$$ 54 Ways to Save Money 50 Money Saving Tips (Martha Stewart) 20 Easy Ways to Save Money Every Day And many more!
Shop Smart Shop with a list! Shop with Coupons Comparison Shopping Consumer Reports 66 Ways to Save Money Product reviews and price comparisons online
Food Substitute coffee for expensive coffee drinks Bring lunch to work Eat out one fewer time each month Shop for food with a list and stick to it Go generic Eat less meat Do a price comparison
Take a Bite Out of Eating Out Eat with others Eat when others don’t Eat at the bar Cash in on your age Join e-clubs Clip coupons Scour Facebook
Prescription & OTC Drugs* Ask your physician to consider prescribing generic drugs Find the lowest-cost place to purchase prescription drugs Purchase store brand over-the-counter medications Use health and flexible spending accounts * Always consult your pharmacist with medication questions
Telecommunications/ TV Buy a bundle Never stop bargaining Avoid speeds you don’t need Drop TV channels Cut the (landline) cord Quit the DVR Use an antenna Save on cellular
Entertainment Research free or inexpensive entertainment in your community Use the Library! Borrow books and movies rather than purchasing them No spend days
Go Green to Save Green Limit eating out Rent, borrow & freecycle Garden Adjust water heater temp settings DIY products Switch to energy efficient lighting Use power strips Line dry clothes Recycle
Banking Avoid bouncing checks or overdraft fees each month Reduce credit card debt Make your monthly credit card payment on time Use only the ATMs of your bank or credit union Automate with online banking and bill pay
Protect Yourself From Identity Theft Store your SS card in a safe place Change weak passwords Make sure your home Wi-Fi is password protected Keep an eye on debit cards when paying Be security minded Shred all personal information when throwing away Review bills and bank statements carefully Review credit report regularly
Gifting Give the gift of labor Shop post-holidays DIY! Re-gifting & Repurposing Home-made coupon books
Free $$$ Earned Income Tax Credit Matched Savings Accounts Employee matched savings contributions Unclaimed Funds Stop collecting, start selling
Further Money Saving Tips Wisebread - Living Large on a Small Budget Feed the Pig Suddenly Frugal Simple Dollar
Are You Financially Fit? A workbook to help you become and stay financially fit for life.
Set Up a Spending Plan Helps you track your spending Makes sure your money is being used the way you want it to be used Helps you set short and long term financial goals
Know Where Your $ Goes! Identify income List expenses Compare income and expenses Set priorities and make changes Tracking Expenses Gather income and pay stubs Make a list of regular expenses Receipt collection (collect your receipts in an envelope for one month, anything without a receipt, write it down on the envelope) Write down expenses using log sheet or track with secure app.
Savings Strategies Drop change into a jar Automate your savings 52-Week Challenge Young & Free Maine 30 Day Savings Challenge Matched Savings Accounts
Assistance When You Need It Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program Soup Kitchen & Food Pantry SNAP and WIC