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28 tricks and tips to save money

Michelle Basch | mbasch@wtop.com

January 2, 2017, 5:29 PM

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Adding Toothpaste On Brush
Do you cover your entire toothbrush with toothpaste?  You’re using too much and wasting money.  The American Dental Association and even toothpaste companies recommend using a pea-sized amount for each brushing. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Don’t hesitate to buy store brand medicines such as cough syrup and aspirin.  By law they have to contain the same amount of the same active ingredients as their big-name counterparts, but on average they cost 36% less. Only the inactive ingredients are allowed to be different. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
AP Photo/M. Spencer Green
At Whole Foods, it’s company policy to let you taste a sample of anything in the store for free, even if they have to open a box. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
AP Photo/Tony Dejak
If you bring in your own cup or tumbler to Starbucks, you’ll get 10 cents off any drink. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
AP Photo/Richard Drew, File
The smallest drink Starbucks offers is not a Tall, it’s a Short.  The Short costs less, but a Short cappuccino contains the same amount of espresso as the Tall. (Courtesy Starbucks)
Courtesy Starbucks
Buy a drink at Starbucks and stay in the store, and you can refill your cup with hot or iced coffee or tea for just 50 cents, over and over again.  If you use a registered Starbucks Card or the Starbucks mobile app to buy the initial drink, your refills are free. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File
Exercising for the primary goal of losing weight will not help most people stick with exercise over time. (Thinkstock)
Thinking of buying a treadmill?  Save money by buying used on sites like Craigslist, where there are usually plenty for sale. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Americans pay an average of $75 a month for cellphone service, and switching to a prepaid plan can save you a bundle. Pogue calls prepaid phones “one of the biggest money-saving secrets left on earth.” (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File
Adjusting Home Temperature
Using your programmable thermostat correctly could save you significant cash. Lost the manual? Search for it online. If you don’t have one, you can buy a programmable thermostat for as little as $25. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
flattire1200.jpg
If you have a flat tire that’s fixable, many tire chains — including Goodyear and Mr. Tire — will repair it for free. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Relaxed teenage girl with remote control watching smart TV
You’re probably familiar with services like Hulu and Netflix. But also consider buying an HD antenna to get free access to local TV channels.  Some even mount in your attic instead of on the roof. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
If you are renting your cable box and/or DVR (check your bill), you could save hundreds of dollars by buying one instead on sites like cableboxandmodem.com. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File
Don’t pay for cable or satellite TV service while you’re out of town on vacation if you don’t have to. Most providers will let you put your service on hold. For instance, DirecTV will let you do it twice a year for free. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)
AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File
Get rid of monthly subscriptions you’re paying for, but not using, Pogue suggested. A free website called AskTrim.com will hunt them down for you and will even cancel them for you via text message. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
AP Photo/Matt Dunham
(Thinkstock)
How much do state governments have in unclaimed funds? About $60 billion. Find out if any of those funds belong to you by typing your name into the free-to-use website Claimdog.com. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
The federal government has a website that will help you find other kinds of unclaimed funds, including undelivered or unclaimed federal tax refunds.  (AP Photo/J. David Ake, File)
AP Photo/J. David Ake, File
Cellphone plans change often, so the end of the year is a good time to call your carrier and see if the plan you’re paying for is still the best one for your needs.  Same goes for your insurance companies.  (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)
AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File
Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf speaks at the unveiling of the design of the Raoul Wallenberg Congressional Gold Medal at the Department of Treasury in Washington, Thursday, May 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Ever lose a paper savings bond? The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Treasury Hunt website can help you replace it if it’s a Series E issued in 1974 or later.  (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
AP Photo/Charles Dharapak
Buy a discounted “refurbished” computer instead of a brand new one, Pogue said. They are computers that were sold and returned, but never used. They go through more inspections than a brand-new computer does. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File
Christmas shopping (Adam Berry/Getty Images)
Always check RetailMeNot.com before buying anything in person or online. It’s a collection of the latest coupons, deals and discounts available at a dizzying number of online and brick-and-mortar stores. (Adam Berry/Getty Images)
Adam Berry/Getty Images
Need a gift for a film buff who regularly goes out to the movies? A MoviePass.com membership allows you to see an unlimited number of films for just $30 a month. But 3-D and IMAX movies are not included.
Need a gift for a film buff who regularly goes out to the movies? A MoviePass.com membership allows you to see an unlimited number of films for just $50 a month. But 3-D and IMAX movies are not included. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
1291045
In general, extended warranties on big ticket items are a ripoff, Pogue said. Your credit card probably offers extended warranty coverage on your purchase for no extra charge. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Gift boxes and wrapping paper rolls
Instead of buying holiday gift wrap that gets ripped up and thrown away every year, Pogue suggests buying drawstring gift bags in multiple sizes that can be reused year after year. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Many consumers either love or hate credit cards. They can be extremely helpful if used responsibly, but they can also hurt you if you don't use them right. (Thinkstock)
Want to buy someone a gift card? Pogue suggests a prepaid Visa, which is redeemable anywhere and never expires. You can pay a small fee through sites such as GiftCards.com to get one personalized with any photo you want. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
FILE - In this file photo taken Dec. 12, 2007, a variety of gift cards for use at various stores and restaurants are displayed at a convenience store in Brunswick, Maine. Caps on credit card penalty fees, and bans on gift card expiration dates. These are among the changes in the final round of new consumer card protections set to go into effect Aug. 22, 2010. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach, File)
Have a gift card you’ll never use?  At sites like CardCash.com, GiftCardGranny.com and Raise.com, you can sell unwanted gift cards for slightly less than they’re worth, and buy gift cards you want at a discount. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach, File)
AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach, File
Instead of letting the last few bucks on a prepaid credit card go to waste, use them up at a retailer, restaurant or even a utility that lets you pay with more than one credit card. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
AP Photo/Mark Lennihan
FILE - This Sept. 6, 2012, file photo, shows the Amazon logo in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)
If you have an Amazon account, use up the last $3.32 on a $25 prepaid credit card buy buying an Amazon gift card for that exact amount. (AP/Reed Saxon)
AP/Reed Saxon
Reports from victims say the caller kept them on the phone while they went to load up an iTunes or Visa gift card. They then gave the caller the number on the back of the card to access the funds. (Thinkstock)
Square will give you a free magnetic stripe credit card reader that plugs into your smartphone or tablet.  Swipe a prepaid card (regular credit cards, too) and Square takes a 2.75% fee before depositing the rest in your bank account. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
(1/28)
Adding Toothpaste On Brush
Exercising for the primary goal of losing weight will not help most people stick with exercise over time. (Thinkstock)
Adjusting Home Temperature
flattire1200.jpg
Relaxed teenage girl with remote control watching smart TV
(Thinkstock)
Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf speaks at the unveiling of the design of the Raoul Wallenberg Congressional Gold Medal at the Department of Treasury in Washington, Thursday, May 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Christmas shopping (Adam Berry/Getty Images)
Need a gift for a film buff who regularly goes out to the movies? A MoviePass.com membership allows you to see an unlimited number of films for just $30 a month. But 3-D and IMAX movies are not included.
1291045
Gift boxes and wrapping paper rolls
Many consumers either love or hate credit cards. They can be extremely helpful if used responsibly, but they can also hurt you if you don't use them right. (Thinkstock)
FILE - In this file photo taken Dec. 12, 2007, a variety of gift cards for use at various stores and restaurants are displayed at a convenience store in Brunswick, Maine. Caps on credit card penalty fees, and bans on gift card expiration dates. These are among the changes in the final round of new consumer card protections set to go into effect Aug. 22, 2010. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach, File)
FILE - This Sept. 6, 2012, file photo, shows the Amazon logo in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)
Reports from victims say the caller kept them on the phone while they went to load up an iTunes or Visa gift card. They then gave the caller the number on the back of the card to access the funds. (Thinkstock)

WASHINGTON — First, he offered up his life hacks to make every day a little bit easier. Now, author David Pogue is back with his latest tips and tricks to help people get the most out of their money.

Related News

WTOP talked with the New York Times best-selling author about his latest book, “Pogue’s Basics: Money: Essential Tips And Shortcuts (That No One Bothers To Tell You) About Beating The System.”

Scroll through the gallery to see some of Pogue’s suggestions to save money and “beat the system” on everything from cars and cable TV, to gift cards, Groupons, treadmills and toothpaste.

If you missed WTOP’s interview with Pogue last year on essential life hacks, be sure to check it out.

Michelle Basch

Michelle Basch is a reporter turned morning anchor at WTOP News.

mbasch@wtop.com

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