Thrifty Thinking: 5 Ways to Save Money without Sacrifice

This post and tips provided by Ooma.

With the average gas price rising 52 cents in the last few months, family incomes have been relatively stagnant and even declining, and tax season in full swing, getting personal finances in order is top of mind for many. It’s tempting to cut out all the little indulgences that make life a much more pleasant, but there are a number of ways that you can cut back on expenses and still enjoy life’s small pleasures. In fact, the first money-saving tip provides long-term savings on long-distance home phone bills that can save you hundreds of dollars per year. The upside is that Ooma, ranked the best phone service in by Consumer Reports in 2011, provides crystal-clear call quality over the Internet.

Say goodbye to phone bills and cut the cord: You can save hundreds of dollars per by switching home land-line to an Internet-based phone system like Ooma Telo ($199). Following the up-front purchase, Ooma’s free VoIP home phone service features land-line like call quality for no additional charge from Ooma as long as you own it beyond a few dollars per month in taxes/fees.

Switch off Cable TV: You can save about $100 a month by streaming movies through websites like Hulu and Netflix, from sports to your favorite TV shows.

Get rid of your old stuff – you can either have a garage sale or donate your items to a charity. If you donate your items you might get a charitable deduction for the items you donate….remember to get a receipt, create an itemized list, and take pictures.

Use coupons – I know this may seem painful for some, but there are great coupons out there. More and more organizations are producing coupon books in return for advertising, and many of the deals offer great savings. Dining is a great example. There are plenty of ways to save 50% on your next dining experience, including online coupons sites such as Living Social and Groupon.

Buy non-brand name items at your grocery store. They are almost always the exact ingredients as brand name products, plus it will save you a couple bucks each trip to the store. On average a consumer can spend $300 – $500 a month on groceries. That $2 an item savings adds up quickly.