• Having trouble paying your mortgage? Spread costs by taking in a housemate.
• Grocery costs out of control? Search high and low (on the shelf). Brand-name premium products are often shelved at eye level, but comparable products (store and private label brands) are often offered at a significant discount.

• Many electric or gas companies offer home energy audits for free or reduced charges. These audits can identify ways you can reduce your energy costs.
• Adjust home temperature settings when you are out or going to bed. Easier, purchase a programmable thermostat that will adjust temperature based on your daily routine.
• Use a fan in place of air conditioning. A fan can make a room feel 5 degrees cooler than it really is.
• Keep the heat out (or in) by keeping your windows, blinds and curtains shut.
• On cool days/nights, open windows to cool your home.
• Change your air conditioner filters to keep your system running efficiently.
• Don’t heat or cool rooms that are not in use - shut the vents.
  
• Turn off lights when you are not in a room.
• Plant tress and bushes to shade sunlight coming in and heating your home.
• Wash cloths in cold water; with today’s detergents the results are the same.
• If you never run out of hot water, reduce the temperature setting on your water heater to minimize the cost of heating water.
  
• Reduce your shower time in half.
• Turn off running water when brushing or shaving.
  
• Use a power strip to turn your devices on/off when not in use. Suggested by Shefali in NYC!
  
• Close walk-in closet and bathroom doors when heating/cooling rooms. Suggested by Sonali in Bangkok!
  
• Let dishes in the dishwasher air dry instead of heat dry. Suggested by Sonali in Bangkok!
  
• Keep your freezer full (an empty freezer uses more energy to remain cold than a full one. Suggested by Kaen in Bangkok.
  
• Your suggestion: advice@givinggrinch.com

• Resole/refurbish shoes instead of buying new one.
  
• Shop at discount, outlet or big box (Costco, Sam's) stores for your basic clothing needs (T-shirts, socks, etc). Submitted by Shefali in NYC!
  
• Your suggestion: advice@givinggrinch.com
  

• Stick to a prepared shopping list to avoid impulse purchases
• Grocery shopping while hungry leads to the unnecessary purchase of junk foods that provide a quick fix.
• Cut down on more costly convenience items like pre-cut fruits and pre-mixed salads.
  
• Avoid fresh vegetable spoilage by buying frozen alternatives when applicable.
• Eat more greens and beans, cutting back on expensive meat products.
• Convenience stores usually charge higher prices for less quantity than discount grocers.
  
• Non-food items are often priced higher at grocery stores than at super centers.
• Try store brand products, but check prices…sometimes the name brands actually cost less.
• Use store discount cards, but still comparison shop, discount card promotions are not always the better value.
• Grow your own vegetables helping feed both a physiological need and, quite possibly, a social or esteem need.
• Purchase non-perishable items in bulk (or when on special). Suggested by Clarence in NYC!
  
• Your suggestion: advice@givinggrinch.com

• Rent out extra space in your home or apartment to reduce individual housing and utility costs.
• Your suggestion: advice@givinggrinch.com

• Switch from brand name drugs to a generic alternative. They are identical products sans the extensive R&D and marketing overhead.
  
• Consider over-the-counter alternatives to prescription drugs.
  
• Comparison shop pharmacies for lower prices, many are offering a catalog of generic drugs at very low prices.
  
• Use mail-order drug providers (ExpressScripts, MedCo) for routine prescription refills. Submitted by Sonali in Bangkok!
  
• Your suggestion: advice@givinggrinch.com

Visit our Blog: http://givinggrinch.blogspot.com/