To save: Be a tightwad one day a week

Cheapskate. Tightwad. Penny pincher.

Somehow those words have come to have a negative connotation, but if you’re willing to wear that label one day a week, you can save money. You might decide, too, that you like the challenge of not parting with your dollars unless necessary.

Pick a day once a week and consciously spend as little as possible. Here are some painless ideas to get you started:

•Shop at the dollar store before you go to the grocery store. You’ll likely find bargains on lots of household product staples.

•Shop at second-hand or consignment stores. You’ll be surprised at the things you’ll find – and the prices are usually unbeatable.

•Shop on double coupon day. Spend part of Sunday cutting coupons. Compare prices with the generics.

•Make a list and take only cash to the grocery store. (Use a handheld calculator to add up your purchases as you go along.)

•Plan in advance for how you’re going to get to work. Can you bum a ride? Take a bus? Ride a bike? If not, go in an hour early and beat the rush. You’ll save gas by not sitting in traffic.

•Skip the expensive latte; take coffee from home. Same with the vending machine at work; bring snacks from home.

•Let the kids make their own lunches to take to school.

•Ask for a discount wherever you go. The neighborhood dry cleaners might give you a discount just because you’re a regular customer.

•Swap videos with a neighbor. Make popcorn at home for family night. (If everyone is in the same room, you’re not burning lights all over the house.)

•Cook multiple meals and freeze.

•Run the washer on cold. Hang laundry outside and don’t run the dryer.

•Don’t run the dishwasher unless it’s full. Open the door and let dishes air dry.

At the end of the day, add up what you’ve saved. Calculate what that will be at the end of the year if you save a similar amount once a week and put it in the bank.

If want to increase what you save, go online and put “frugal tightwad save money” in a search engine. You’ll find thousands of tips.

And who knows … you might decide to be a tightwad two days a week. Are you up to the challenge?