Spending Less

The nice weather is starting to come around and getting away from the computer and outside is a great way to save money. Some miscellaneous reasons why:

1. You can ditch your monthly gym membership fee.

2. If you're outside doing something then you aren't inside paying for something.

3. Chances are it'll help maintain your health which means less costly bills for poor health in the future.

4. I'm sure someone has proven being active and seeing light improves your mental abilities-- allowing you to be more effective in the things you commit yourself to doing.

5. You aren't inside watching TV, using the microwave, or the computer meaning you're using less electrical energy.

I just found-out yesterday you can find underwear, t-shirts, socks, etc. for a big discount at stores like T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. 50% savings means spend half as much or enjoy twice as many undergarments for the same price!

I decided to throw together a quick list for people to save money on computer and technology operating expenses. Take a look below for a couple areas in computers where you might be spending too much money.

Operating Systems

For those of you trying to watch your tech budget don't forget there are much less expensive (or free!) options other than Microsoft or Apple. I've been a computer user for a long time and a unix/linux user for at least 10 years as well. If you haven't heard of Ubuntu linux check it out. You can download it free and can even just check it out by burning a bootable Ubuntu CD. Don't want to waste your own CD? They'll send you a physical CD in the mail for free, also! I installed Ubuntu earlier this year and was very pleased with how easy it was to install and how clean the interface felt. Being both a Windows and Mac OS X user I can say Ubuntu is at least as easy as each of it's competitors.

Business Software

If you need business software try Open Office (also free, of course). It can read and write in popular formats like Microsoft Office's Word or Excel. You can even run it on not only Linux, but Windows, Mac OS, and others.

Other Free Software

There are lots of programmers and organizations creating numerous open source applications that are equal or better in performing the same tasks as expensive non-open source software. Sites like SourceForge or Download.com are a good place to start.

There's a new company in town at MyGallons.com that will allow you to purchase gas at today's current price for use tomorrow, hedging your bet on the cost of oil rising in the future. Looks like they charge a $30 membership fee, so it's value to you will depend on the amount of gas you use and how much gas goes up (it will, right?). It also looks like they're in the middle of scrambling for a new reselling partner to offer this core business to you. Perhaps keep your eye on this, but it might not make sense to consider signing up until they have a way to offer what they're selling.

How to Guard Against Rising Gas Prices [Yahoo! Finance]

Over the past few weeks I've sat down and thought-up a list of all the ways I either have or have wanted to spend less money. The following is a list of ideas for spending less money in the categories of home, technology, driving, health, entertainment, shopping, finance and business.

Continue reading for great ideas to spend less money...