I have been talking to some friends about grocery shopping. One says she is an on the whim shopper and the other one buys bottled water and ice. Do you all see a problem here, I do
Never go grocery shopping and pick up whatever you want when you want. To save money at the grocery store, you should 1. never go there hungry (or thirsty), 2. have a list. 3, always have your coupons with you. A list gives you an idea of how much are you going be spending, this helps to keep you within budget. Now, there are times when you can (and should) get items that are not on the list. One of these times is when there is an item on sale, that you normally buy but don't need to purchase at this time, go ahead and get that item. Why pay full price next week (or the week after) if you can get it on sale now.
The only time you should buy bottled water is when you are running errands and forget to bring at drink from home with you (or you drank it all before your errands were done). The only time you should buy ice is when you are hosting a party and need it to full up coolers. If you seriously think about this, you can save a lot of money (and time) if you purchased a water filter. Pur and Brita water filters are not expensive and in the long run you will save money.
Tip; Time is money. Plan out your weekly grocery shops, that would limit how many times a week you go to the grocery store.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
When to use COUPONS
I got an email from a friend earlier today. He thanked me for the frugal advice I have given him and was amazed at his savings today. SO, it got me thinking, how many of you know when to use your coupons? Just because you have a coupon, does not mean you should use it right away (or use it at all, YES I SAID IT).
If it is a coupon for something you were already planning on buying, don't run out and use the coupon right away. All coupons have an expiration date on them. Hold on to that coupon until the item is on sale (or the store is having a great store wide sale). If there is no sale by the time the coupon gets close to expiring, then use the coupon before the expiration date. Being frugal also means being patience.
Yes there are times when you should not be using coupons. I can hear the "WHAT THE" now. Just because you have a coupon does not mean you should buy that product. THINK before you shop. Is it something you needed (or wanted and can afford it with the coupon)? NO, then don't go shopping. I see coupons all time that say things like $10 off a $50 purchase. Stores do this to get you in and get you to spend more then $50, don't fall for it. Were you planning on going to that store and making a $50 purchase? If you answered NO, don't go shopping. Stores offer these kinds of coupons all the time and they are always having clearance sales. SO, wait until there is something you need or can afford to go.
Tip: Need to start a savings account (or add to the one you already have). Take the money you just saved from using coupons and put it in your savings account. If you can't afford to do that, then take a portion of what you saved from using coupons and put it in your savings account. Every little bit helps to reach your goal.
If it is a coupon for something you were already planning on buying, don't run out and use the coupon right away. All coupons have an expiration date on them. Hold on to that coupon until the item is on sale (or the store is having a great store wide sale). If there is no sale by the time the coupon gets close to expiring, then use the coupon before the expiration date. Being frugal also means being patience.
Yes there are times when you should not be using coupons. I can hear the "WHAT THE" now. Just because you have a coupon does not mean you should buy that product. THINK before you shop. Is it something you needed (or wanted and can afford it with the coupon)? NO, then don't go shopping. I see coupons all time that say things like $10 off a $50 purchase. Stores do this to get you in and get you to spend more then $50, don't fall for it. Were you planning on going to that store and making a $50 purchase? If you answered NO, don't go shopping. Stores offer these kinds of coupons all the time and they are always having clearance sales. SO, wait until there is something you need or can afford to go.
Tip: Need to start a savings account (or add to the one you already have). Take the money you just saved from using coupons and put it in your savings account. If you can't afford to do that, then take a portion of what you saved from using coupons and put it in your savings account. Every little bit helps to reach your goal.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Now is the time to start
Are you thinking HOLIDAY SEASON yet? You should be. In fact you should have started thinking about it way back on Dec 26.
If you haven't started saving for the holiday season yet, START. The last thing you want to do is use your credit cards. We all know there will be great deals (as always) around the holidays, but you are NOT saving any money if you purchase with your credit card and then make payments on that card. One easy way to save is to get a big jar, and every day put your change (and if possilble your one dollar bills) in that jar. You will be surprised at how quickly that can add up. If you are one those people that never use cash, only a debit card (or credit card that is attached to your bank account), then once a week either move money to a savings account, or take some cash out and place it in your big jar.
It's also never to early to do your holiday shopping ( I started months ago). When you are out shopping and you see something thats an awesome deal, and you know it will be a great gift, why not pick it up when you see that deal. WARNING, when you do holiday shop year round, you run the risk of going over your holiday budget. My suggustion is to know what your budget is and then deduct the amount you already spend from that. You should keep this on paper and not in your head. Seeing things written down is always the best way to know where you are at on your budget.
Tip: instead of going to the coffee shop every morning for your coffee, make it at home. This will not only save you money but it will save you time too. Take that $5 you were going to spend at the coffee shop and either save it for the holidays, or better yet, save up for that dream vacation.
If you haven't started saving for the holiday season yet, START. The last thing you want to do is use your credit cards. We all know there will be great deals (as always) around the holidays, but you are NOT saving any money if you purchase with your credit card and then make payments on that card. One easy way to save is to get a big jar, and every day put your change (and if possilble your one dollar bills) in that jar. You will be surprised at how quickly that can add up. If you are one those people that never use cash, only a debit card (or credit card that is attached to your bank account), then once a week either move money to a savings account, or take some cash out and place it in your big jar.
It's also never to early to do your holiday shopping ( I started months ago). When you are out shopping and you see something thats an awesome deal, and you know it will be a great gift, why not pick it up when you see that deal. WARNING, when you do holiday shop year round, you run the risk of going over your holiday budget. My suggustion is to know what your budget is and then deduct the amount you already spend from that. You should keep this on paper and not in your head. Seeing things written down is always the best way to know where you are at on your budget.
Tip: instead of going to the coffee shop every morning for your coffee, make it at home. This will not only save you money but it will save you time too. Take that $5 you were going to spend at the coffee shop and either save it for the holidays, or better yet, save up for that dream vacation.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
out of control spending
I can't believe I actually watched Oprah last night. She is doing a series on Debt Diet. I should have taken notes, so I am doing this from memory.
About 70% of Americans live above their means. Which means that most people can't afford their lifestyle. Are you one of those people? Is it really worth it to keep up with "The Jones", because if you think about it, they are trying to keep up with you. Who really wins this game, the banks.
A few words of advice here. Pay off those credit cards and stop using them. You should only use a credit card if you can pay the whole amount off at once or if you have an emergency and don't have enough cash (such as getting an unepected car repair bill). Credit cards are needed to make /airplane/hotel/car rental (etc.) reservations, but that doesn't mean you should get something you can't afford.
Store credit cards...GET RID OF THEM. Have you looked the interest rate on those thing? Even if you use them to buy sale and clearance items, if it takes you a few months to pay that bill, you really aren't saving any money.
Tips to living the frugal way
A wise man once said "think about how many hours it took you to earn the money to purchase that 'want' item, was it really worth it, if your answer is NO, move on"
The same wise man once said "if you have to think about whether or not you actually want that item, then odds are you don't really want it, move on"
So, in other words actually THINK when you are shopping
About 70% of Americans live above their means. Which means that most people can't afford their lifestyle. Are you one of those people? Is it really worth it to keep up with "The Jones", because if you think about it, they are trying to keep up with you. Who really wins this game, the banks.
A few words of advice here. Pay off those credit cards and stop using them. You should only use a credit card if you can pay the whole amount off at once or if you have an emergency and don't have enough cash (such as getting an unepected car repair bill). Credit cards are needed to make /airplane/hotel/car rental (etc.) reservations, but that doesn't mean you should get something you can't afford.
Store credit cards...GET RID OF THEM. Have you looked the interest rate on those thing? Even if you use them to buy sale and clearance items, if it takes you a few months to pay that bill, you really aren't saving any money.
Tips to living the frugal way
A wise man once said "think about how many hours it took you to earn the money to purchase that 'want' item, was it really worth it, if your answer is NO, move on"
The same wise man once said "if you have to think about whether or not you actually want that item, then odds are you don't really want it, move on"
So, in other words actually THINK when you are shopping
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Welcome
Hi and Welcome to my blog. My goal here is help you be frugal. I hope to show you ways to stretch your family budget.
One great way to get free things (gently used) is to be a member of www.freecycle.org . This is a place where people post things they are no longer using to give to someone that needs that item. This is also a great place to post things you are looking for or things that you want to give away. I actually find this to be better then craigslist when it comes to free (gently used) items.
Speaking of craigslist, it's a great place to find used items that people are selling, and if you are lucky you can haggle for a better price.
One great way to get free things (gently used) is to be a member of www.freecycle.org . This is a place where people post things they are no longer using to give to someone that needs that item. This is also a great place to post things you are looking for or things that you want to give away. I actually find this to be better then craigslist when it comes to free (gently used) items.
Speaking of craigslist, it's a great place to find used items that people are selling, and if you are lucky you can haggle for a better price.
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