I am a big believer in budgeting my money and my resources....Last year my frugal mindedness paid off... I can happily say that when my husband was out of work last year for six months - We did NOT go into debt... nor did we lose our savings.... this is why....
Menu Plans - I set up weekly plans - I did this a couple of ways... I took a complete inventory of what I had on hand... I created the plan on Sunday after viewing the Sunday paper coupons.. Many times there would be deals that would save us a lot of money... By planning weekly menus - you can buy by bulk... You can plan for leftover lunches... You can utilize what you have and not buy unneeded items.. This will save you a lot of money - Right away....
Check out your supermarket mailers - Each week I get the local market mailers highlighting their specials of the week... One week - Albertson's was having an 8 hour sale -there were many buy 1 get one frees - whole chicken savings of .75 per pound or more - buy one lb of beef get a 2nd lb free - diet coke for .79 a 2-liter bottle.. Stater Bros was also having a sale on many of the items I use... If I had thrown away the paper (like I used to) I would never have had the opportunity to save so much...
Shop Target - I buy many of my everyday items at Target - their prices are lower on many items that I purchase regularly AND if you use your Target card (be sure to pay off each month) you will get an automatic 5% off and after you have spent $1000 - you get an additional 5% for a total of 10% off on your day of choice.... Target also accepts coupons!!!!
Just because you have a coupon does NOT mean you need it... - Don't buy things that you don't need especially during the times that you need to save money...
Search for additional coupons on the net - there are many bloggers that offer links to savings. You will amazed on what you can find.. Check out Print Free Coupons
Save your recyclables! We drink diet coke... A lot of diet coke and we save all our cans and bottles - my husband brings them in every month and gets about $15.00 cash... It's a good thing.
Buy Used... Ebay is a good tool to buy pre-owned designer clothes... books... shoes... movies... work ties... My husband is a Tommy Bahama fan - He will buy a $125 shirt and pay around $10 for it... Work shoes - he'll pay as low as $15 on a pair of $300 shoes... The deals are out there you just have to look... In addition to Ebay - Thrift stores are also great places to check out....
Sell Your Used Stuff.. I have a yard sale about two times a year to clear out my kids inventory of unused clothes and doodads.. I sell my used books through Amazon.com and no longer wanted clothes on Ebay... It works and the extra money is a good thing too...
Save Save Save - Take advantage of any 401K plans or savings plans that your employer may offer - Self employed? Establish a retirement savings plan... Set aside a certain amount (pretend it's a bill) each month and save... This is so important... AND Just because you got a refund from your income taxes does not mean you have to go out and blow it... Save it - let it work for you.. That rainy day may come and you need to be ready!
Use Your Credit Card Wisely - We have a rule in our home - Only charge what you can pay off when the bill comes in - this rule has been in effect since the day I was married (22 years ago) and it has saved us thousands of dollars. Our credit card like most cards nowadays have reward programs.. This summer I am lucky enough to use our rewards... We received three (3) round-trip tickets to DC from California for Free AND several days of Hertz rental car FREE... When I say free - I mean free - no hidden costs.. no extra interest paid.. or finance fees... FREE money and this is good..
Get A Job... any job - If you are short on funds and have some free time - GET A JOB!!! Who cares what it is.. Who cares if you have a college degree and you are working at Best Buy? A job is a job is a job... You won't make money watching Maury Povich from your couch... Get out and Do.. It's just as easy to find a great job while you are working then it is if you are not.... If you don't have any money coming in - do something about it.. You may not get your "job" of choice at first but you will - just give it time and patience......
So There was my two cents worth of advise that has worked for me... What to you do to save money?
