Beat the recession

Here are just a few strategies to save some money.
Please contribute if you have any other brilliant ideas to beat the recession.


1. Use Energy Saving Bulbs (CFLs).
It saves electricity in the long run, even though they are 3 times more expensive than an average bulb.
CFLs last up to 15 times longer than the average bulb and can save you up to 20% on lighting bills.

2. Turning down (or up if you are using air conditioning) your thermostat by just 1°C can cut the cost by as much as 10%.

3. Buy electrical appliances with good energy ratings.

4. Trivial things matters.
Not filling the kettle- only boil enough for the number of hot drinks you are making.

5. Install dimmer switches in your home.

6. At night, if possible don't leave lamps and lights on.
Use a simple nightlight.

7. Turn off all standby lights on televisions, hi-fis, computers.
Turn off your phone charger – equipment on standby uses up to 20% of the energy it would use when fully on.
And it protects your battery.

8. Use a timer for your appliances eg (Air cond and other appliances)


9. Cut down on your morning latte at Starbucks.
Buy a kettle or coffee maker.

10. Make your own lunch– eating out seems easy but is heavy on the pocket.


11. Never shop on an empty stomach.
Have you ever gone to a Night Market (Pasar Malam) on an empty stomach?
Laugh if you like, but shopping while hungry increases your chances of impulsive and excessive buys which will most likely end up abandoned or thrown out.
And it will surely make you consume more calories!!


12. Buy reduce to clear items.
A lot of fresh foods are cut by 30% to 70% as their expiry date draws near
But be sure you are going to eat the food quickly, or freeze it.


13. Buy in bulk. It saves money. But beware of items with a short shelf life.


14. Grow your own.
Only if you have spare time and a garden.
Plant vegetables/fruits that are easy to grow and can be harvested fast.


15. Charity shops and discount retailers offer great value for money.


16. Boycott the rip-off stores that sells overpriced items.


17. Choose the best mobiles phone option for you.
Pay-as-you-go is the first step to saving money on your mobile.
More often than not, pay-as-you-go ends up to be the cheaper option for the average user.
It can be difficult to keep tabs on a bill phone, and extra charges such as line rental are often incurred..


18. Trade in your old mobile. Don't throw it away.


19. International calls or outstation calls? Use Skype.


20. For holidays, book well in advance.
This applies esp for budget airlines.


21. Buy on eBay. Many good deals are available.


22. Cancel your gym membership.
The chances are, for the majority of us, we don't go every day.


23. Quit smoking.
This is the best time to do it.


24. Quit alcohol.
Again a best time to do it.


25. Car pool if feasible.


26. Buy a petrol saving car if it is not possible to use public transport/cycling.


27. Brake the right way.
A car consumes most petrol as it accelerates.
So if you're stuck in heavy traffic and continue to accelerate and brake you're wasting an unnecessary amount of fuel.
Anticipate the speed of the traffic ahead and try to keep a smooth momentum.


28. When you drive, shift into a higher gear as soon as possible. For petrol cars, shift up in gear before 2,500 revolutions per minute (rpm) and for diesel cars before 2,000 rpm.


29. Driving between 65 and 80kmph, where safe, will reduce petrol consumption and emission compared to higher speeds (as it is most fuel efficient at that speed).


30. Reducing the amount of weight in your car will save you on fuel.
So put away your golf clubs when you don't need them.


31. Close the windows and use the vents instead.
Leaving your front window half open increases your fuel consumption by 5% at 80kmph or 10% if you are driving at 110kmph.


32. Keep your tyres correctly inflated and improve your fuel efficiency by 3%.


33. Get rid of your Sky box or Astro.
Removing this will save you a substantial amount.
And you can use the time for more quality activities.


34. Use a debit card.


35. Cancel your credit card.
It you can't, either reduce the credit allowance.
Also, cancel your extra credit cards.
Some people I know have 4-5 credit cards!


36. Go on a diet.
This is the best time to do it.


37. Read news on-line and save the cost of your daily newspaper.