Compiled by Valerie S. Johnson from SA Forum Members

One issue many people have with trying to save money is that they believe it takes too much time and effort. The members of the forums came up with 33 money-saving tips, each of which takes less than a minute of your time to implement.

1. Switch the temperature setting on your washing machine from hot to cold.

2. Keep fast food coupons in your car.

3. Close the damper in your fireplace (unless you are going to start a fire).

4. Make multiple portions of dinner. Box up leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch, and freeze portions to eat later.

5. Pay your bills online or by phone. It also saves stamps.

6. Unplug the electrical items you are not using (TV, computer, microwave, cell phone chargers, etc.).

7. Decide what you want to eat before opening the refrigerator door. It takes energy to keep the temperature cool if the door is standing open.

8. Turn the TV off during the commercials. If you forget to turn it back on, you save even more electricity.

9. Do your laundry only when you know it’s not supposed to rain so you can hang the wet clothes outside to dry.

10. Keep bottled water, peanut butter crackers, and other snacks in the car. It saves you from having to stop and buy them somewhere.

11. Turn off the air conditioning vents in the rooms you are not using.

12. Lower the shades on the sunny side of the house.

13. Pick store-brand items at the grocery store instead of the expensive name brands.

14. Choose the cheaper gas station in your neighborhood, which is often located next to or across the street from the pricier one.

15. Use the “club card” from each supermarket where you shop.

16. Don’t order soda or alcohol when you go out to eat. Drink water instead.

17. Adjust the thermostat by a degree or two. Use a programmable one that compensates for the hours when no one is home.

18. Turn the hot water heater off except before taking a shower or running the dishwasher.

19. Clean the dust from your light bulbs - they’ll last longer.

20. Make and travel with your own coffee instead of always buying it at a convenience store.

21. When you feel like splurging or the kids ask for an extra treat when you are out, just say “no.”

22. Fill your freezer; it uses less electricity to keep it cold. If you don’t have a lot of frozen foods, freeze some water bottles. As a bonus, in case of a power failure you will have a supply of cold bottled water.

23. When you go to the drive-thru window at the bank, turn off the engine to save gas if you are stopped more than 30 seconds.

24. If you work outside the home, buy snacks and take them to work instead of hitting the vending machine.

25. Plan your errands so you use the least amount of gas (and time).

26. Clip a coupon or two.

27. Check junk mail for coupons and offers before tossing it.

28. Double check your bills and receipts for errors.

29. Order a large meal at a restaurant but eat only half. Ask for what used to be called a “doggie bag.”

30. Turn off a light switch. Use your judgment; sometimes you can do things when it is very near dark.

31. Change a light bulb to a compact fluorescent light (CFL).

32. Turn off the water in the sink while brushing your teeth and washing your hands.

33. Before leaving the house, make a list of things you need to do. This saves a lot of time, energy, and gas.

Listed above are just a few of the many ways to save money yet take so little time. If you think of any more, just add to the list by commenting below!