Want to find some ways to save some money?
1.Comparison shop everything to get the best deals
2.Use rewards points before they expire.
3.Save on prescription medications by swapping out name brands for generic brands (if possible).
4.Keep your family's dental health in check.
5.Install a programmable thermostat to control home heating and low-flow shower and faucet aerators.
6.Use rebate and budget payment programs offered by your utility company.
7.Stop wasting money on disposable products.
8.Give common household cleaning products a try.
9.Open a separate savings account to fund birthday and holiday spending and set a limit.
10.Keep birthday celebrations simple.
11.Organize or attend swaps within your community and swap gently used children’s clothing, strollers, toys, craft supplies and school supplies for credit against other items instead of exchanging money.
12.The library is your friend when it comes to at-home entertainment, home improvement tools and some rather unusual items (depending on your location) like prom dresses, sewing machines, cake pans, fishing poles and board games, just to name a few.
13.Think about joining a tool membership so you can borrow a variety of tools.
14.Set a budget for grocery shopping and stick to it.
15.Reduce food waste and overspending by tweaking your weekly purchases when you find perishable items are expiring before you're able to use them up.
16.Learn a few techniques to extend the shelf life of perishable items (freezing, canning, making your own stock).
17.Create or join a group when visiting theme parks, theaters and museums to take advantage of group discounts (as much as 50% off admission fees), special programs and dining perks.
18.Save on expensive food items by carrying a picnic lunch and refillable water bottles with you when you visit theme parks, zoos and museums.
19.Travel by train.
20.Eat out on kids-eat-free days, visit restaurants that offer kids menus (some as low as $1.99 per meal) and cash in on those rewards points by taking the kids out for a special dining treat. And, don’t forget to sign up the kids (and yourself) for birthday rewards where free gifts, free treats, free drinks and discount coupons are typically offered.
(KSAT) Photo: Getty/Thierry Dosogne