Best Money Saving Tips

We unplug all the devices not in use in our house. You would be astounded how much power a dryer sucks up when not in use! same goes for the microwave!

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Coupons work! Really they do! It just takes time, and I am amazed at the things I do buy that there are coupons for. Frequently I find coupons for produce, booze of all sorts, etc. It is just really time consuming.

Cook smarter: roast a chicken, use the carcass to make chicken soup. Buy a bigger roast and use the left over meat for taco dinners. Go paperless! Use cloth napkins and old rags, stop grabbing those expensive paper towel! You won't regret it! Cloth napkins are the best!

Only shop end of season clearance. I just ordered my children $350 dollars worth of clothes for $110 bucks. It's mostly stuff for next winter, but it is all stuff they will wear, quality stuff, that I paid almost nothing for.

For me it's about changing your mind-set. Never pay full-price, and really look for bargains. There is a saying in the coupon world, if you are paying for toothpaste, you are paying too much on your groceries. Seriously, you should never pay more than .25c on a tube of toothpaste. It's usually FREE if you look.

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I buy almost ALL store brands. I've found with very few exceptions that they're as good (sometimes better) than national, more expensive brands. Toilet paper, paper towels, feminine items, diapers, wipes, canned goods, pasta, rice -it goes on and on. You'll save more than you would with coupons! I do use coupons if they'll save me the most, but usually the store brand is still cheaper. Almost all stores also have a return policy regarding their store brand. If you don't like it, they'll take it back -no questions. Some will even give you a national brand as a replacement! Others will refund your money. We also got rid of all of our credit cards about 5 years ago, and it's made an enormous difference!

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Take a hard look at what you spend your money on, and cut (or cut back on) the stuff that is unnecessary. Take a week and write down every penny you spend. Then, mark the things that can't be avoided (like gas, mortgage payments, utility bills, etc.) vs the things that can be adjusted (like the phone bill, cable bill, etc.). Adjust what you can, eliminate any frivilous spending, and budget for the necessary unavoidable expenses. Once you really see where and what you are spending on, it might be easier to see where you can save. Good luck!

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My biggest is stock up when it's on sale. In the last 2 months, it seems like pasta was always on sale, my keeps keep saying, we have enough for the next 10 years (in reality, about 6 months and I'll donate a few boxes).

Other ways...
know your prices, buy one get one free sounds great, but often the item is marked up to full retail and you're only saving a few cents
cook extra so you have left overs for lunchs
don't eat out and no take out - limit to once a month and special occassions
when running errands bring along a beverage and a snack, so you won't be tempted to pick up something while your out
the only thing I ever buy at a convenience store is milk, and it's often less than the grocery store prices
buy in bulk - we save a small fortune with our BJ's membership (it's not for everyone, this goes back to the know your prices)
basic cell phone service, with none of the extras (internet, text), that we don't need
turn the heat down, it's chilly in my house, we put on a sweatshirt, wear slippers, and have an extra blanket on the bed
hang up clothes to dry, I use the dryer for towels, jeans and whites
try store or off brands, when I was growing up AIM was a well known higher priced toothpaste, it's now 1/3 the price of crest or colgate
drink more water, buy a small amout of beverages (juices, soda, etc)
I bought a generic version of a sham wow, I'm using a lot less paper towels
pay bills on line, you don't have to pay for stamps or check printing

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Cut cable - we do not miss it. Have Netflix now. Drop land line, use cells.
.I have $700 spending money for every two weeks. (Food, gas, fun, everything - besides bills). When it's gone...it's gone. I pay cash for everything. We have a family of four. I have also been doing menus and that helps for planning - I only go grocery shopping 2x a month.

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I have discovered that my local grocery store is way more expensive than shopping at super Walmart grocery. You get the same quality as the grocery store but a difference in the bill. Maybe shop at a different store and see if there is a financial difference. I agree with the spending of cash. I have gone back to that routine and find that I manage money much better if I have the physical cash in hand versus the debit card. I also agree with using the store brand, there is often little difference in the product but noticeable difference in the price, that does not go for all store brands but for the most part anyway.
Try picking up items you know you will need when you see they are on a good sale. I often browse the clearance section and will pick up clothing for my children. When they need new pants, I already have a few pair ready to go.

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We also do what Julie suggested. Budget & take out cash & when it's gone, it's gone.

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