Extreme Money Saving Ideas

If you've already been on the frugal path for awhile, it's hard to believe that there are ways that you can be even more frugal.

But it's true. Following are some ideas that people have used to save money that are a bit on the crazy side. I don't necessarily recommend them, but they're up for consideration if you are hoping to save even more money.

*Get your furniture for free. You may have to do without for some time, but always try to hold out and get things for free. You can check out Craigslist or your local Freecycle. Or you can simple drive around town on garbage night and see what's available for the taking.

*Teach your cat to use toilet. Pets can be very expensive and one unnecessary expense is kitty litter. With a bit of effort, you can train your cat to use the toilet. Over the lifetime of your cat, this adds up to quite a bit of savings.

*Collect cans and bottles. If you're lucky enough to live in a state that offers a refund for recyclable cans and bottles, collect empties from around town. You never know where people are throwing them out. Check large apartment buildings especially. I once got more than $15 from bottles that someone was throwing out.

*Shower just once a week. Showering uses a lot of water, not to mention soap, shampoo and conditioner. If you shower just once a week, you will save money on these things.

*Sleep with the sun. If you adjust your body to sleep when the sun sets and wake up when it rises, you won't have to pay money for electricity needed to light your home in the evening and nighttime.

Obviously these ideas are quite extreme and they are not recommended for the average frugal person. But they are perfect for those who wish to take things a bit further.

Want to read even more extreme savings tips? Would you like to build a better nest egg? Are you sick of living paycheck to paycheck?

Then check out Shannon Tani's Save to Quit blog, which offers many tips for saving money.

By Shannon Tani