This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FRAMFreshBreeze #CollectiveBias
I am in no way a financial guru. Thankfully, I have my brother for that. But, as a family that is currently trying to save for a new house while paying for a ridiculous insurance bill, new car and day care, while having a social life and doing the things that we enjoy, we’ve learned a few things about getting creative with our hard earned dollars.
With these creative money saving tips, you don't need to completely overhaul your lifestyle to save money. By taking baby steps to make small changes in your spending habits, its possible for you to still enjoy the things you love and even treat yourself once in a while.
5 Creative Money Saving Tips
Turn off the TV
Not only will turning off the TV save electricity (and money), but cancelling your cable will save you even more! With video streaming subscriptions on the rise, you can still watch the shows you love for a fraction of the cost. Do you really need a gazillion channels anyways? Instead of turning on the electronics, opt for outside.
Opt for Rewards Programs
When searching for a new credit card, or even a new bank, pick one that puts money or points back in your pocket. Love to travel? Look for a credit card with travel rewards. In need of groceries? There’s cards for that too! Points can add up quickly, and give you cash back on your purchases, discounts on gas and even a cheaper price just for having the card.
Visit the Library
Next time you are in need of a good read, instead of purchasing new, why not take a trip down to the local library. Not only will this save you money, but it will also save you from cluttering your house with books that you’ve only read once (and probably will never read again).
Work Out at Home
Skip the expensive fitness classes and gym fees and create your own workouts at home. Gently used fitness equipment is easy to come by, and fitness classes can also be streamed online, either for free and for a small fee.
DIY Care Maintenance
No need to be a certified mechanic to perform simple maintenance on your vehicle. Skip the auto shop appointment and do it yourself to save both time and money.
One of the simplest vehicle maintenance procedures that you can do at home is changing your own air filters, including your cabin air filter. They are often an overlook part of routine vehicle maintenance and easy to install yourself.
Did you know that it is important to routinely change both your engine and cabin air filters to improve airflow and prevent dust, dirt and allergens from entering both the engine and cabin? The air inside your vehicle can be up to 6x dirtier than the air outside. Dirty cabin air filters can even reduce the efficiency of your vehicle’s defrost and heating system!
Now you can protect your family and improve your driving comfort with a FRAM Fresh Breeze® cabin air filter. Made with a special media that uses the natural deodorizing qualities of ARM & HAMMER® baking soda, the FRAM Fresh Breeze® cabin air filter prevents up to 98%* of dirt, dust and allergens from entering your vehicle (*road dust and pollen particles ranging in size from 5-100 microns). Clean filters mean a more efficient vehicle, and a more comfortable you.
With spring on the horizon, dirt, dust and allergens in the air will be a plenty. With precious cargo in tow, keeping the air inside our vehicle is extremely important. With the help of the installation instructions found both online and inside the box, my husband and I were able to tackle the FRAM Fresh Breeze® cabin air filter for our mid-size SUV in as little as 15 minutes.
First, we opened the glove box and removed the contents. We located the dampener rod on the right hand side of the glove box. Next, we pushed in on both sides while pulling the front downwards, until the stops on either side of the glove box were disengaged. The box then swung down on its bottom hinge. We unlatched and removed the cabin filter cover and removed the dirty filter, gross! The new cabin air filter was then inserted and the filter cover was relatched. After putting the glove box back into position, we reinstalled the dampener to the right side of the glove box and then partially closed it to reinstall the two glove box stops. The contents were replaced, the door closed and voila, a new cabin air filter was installed!
With how easy, and much less expensive it was to do it ourselves, I foresee many more at-home cabin air filter changes in our future. (Please note, when installing, it is important to follow recommended change intervals as noted in your vehicle owner’s manual.)
First, we opened the glove box and removed the contents. We located the dampener rod on the right hand side of the glove box. Next, we pushed in on both sides while pulling the front downwards, until the stops on either side of the glove box were disengaged. The box then swung down on its bottom hinge. We unlatched and removed the cabin filter cover and removed the dirty filter, gross! The new cabin air filter was then inserted and the filter cover was relatched. After putting the glove box back into position, we reinstalled the dampener to the right side of the glove box and then partially closed it to reinstall the two glove box stops. The contents were replaced, the door closed and voila, a new cabin air filter was installed!
With how easy, and much less expensive it was to do it ourselves, I foresee many more at-home cabin air filter changes in our future. (Please note, when installing, it is important to follow recommended change intervals as noted in your vehicle owner’s manual.)
FRAM Fresh Breeze® cabin air filters can be found in the automotive department at your local Walmart. Not sure if your vehicle has a cabin air filter, or are unsure of the model specific to your vehicle? Be sure to check online.
What are your creative ways to save money? I'd love to hear!
