We always want the best for our family – good health, good food, fun and entertainment, good education and the list goes on. Well, everything could just have been easier if we only have that financial freedom everyone is striving for. But for most of us who spend on a tight budget, month after month, we always need to consider spending wisely for every dollar on our hand.

Here are some free ideas for saving money:

• Save manufacturer coupons, clip, and organize them in an envelope.
• Compare prices for your commodities and list them in a notebook. That way, you would remember where to buy at a cheaper price.
• Check your grocery store for weekly sale advertisements. “Buy-one-get-one” deals surely saves you a lot! Some stores post their weekly ads online.
• Join wholesale clubs (Costco, BJ’s, Sam’s). Buy groceries in bulk and save huge.
• Bring your children to your county parks.
• Check your county website for free events in your area. Sign-up for free email notifications to receive weekly or monthly event alerts.
• Bring your preschoolers and toddlers in your local library for free storytelling programs, arts and crafts, and theater shows. Rent lots of books!
• Get fun pass or annual pass in theme parks, zoo, and museums whenever available if you plan to visit more than once in a year. Some parks offer family package plans.
• Check your local library for free DVD rentals. Simply request the latest released DVDs through your online library catalog. Contact your library for more info.
• When buying electronics, always check the price online and save huge. Get great deals and tax-free (most of the time) purchases!
• Buy clothes one year ahead! There are always good deals for clothes (quality and branded) at the end of season.
• Save on your electricity bill.
  • Maintain your AC at a moderate temperature and use ceiling fans to circulate cool air in your rooms.
  • Replace all your bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs. You won’t really notice the difference, but you’ll see significant difference in your bill!
  • Lower down your water heater temperature. When you’re leaving for a vacation, turn-off your water heater and remember to turn it on immediately when you come back.
•  If you have broadband internet at home, consider switching your home phone to VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone.  It’s true, you can save on your phone bill. For only $22-$25 a month, you can get unlimited anytime minutes anywhere in the US plus unlimited international calling for selected countries.
• Save on your international long distance calls by using prepaid calling cards. You can get extremely lower calling rates compared to postpaid long distance service. You can also find convenient features like PINless dialing, speed dialing, auto-refill, and more.