How to Save Money
 

I thought a thread like this was needed to help people learn how to save money, if they are looking for a way to. I'm sure everyone has a few tips. I have always been an extreme penny pincher, I think I was born that way. When I was small, I used to cut coupons and preach to my mom to use them. :ursofunny

Anyway, I think many people who have also been stay-at-home moms have really learned how to pinch pennies. I stayed home and when you have more time than money, you learn a few tricks anyway...

Re: How to Save Money
 

Buy whole milk and thin it with water. Less fat, more product.

Re: How to Save Money
 

Buy clothes in three ways:

1. Thrift stores
2. Garage sales
3. Clearance racks

Garage sales are cheapest but it's hard to try things on. Thrift stores often have 1/2 off deals. If you are really strapped, stick with half off items.

When you go into a store, never even look at the clothes on the regular racks. Limit yourself only to the items on the clearance racks and then be careful that it is truly a good deal. I get almost all the shirts I need for my husband and son at 2 to 3 dollars a piece. Wal-Mart and JC Penneys are the best clearance places IMO. JC Penneys has better quality. In order to do this, you have to buy end of season and save the items for the next season. I have done this with both my kids and very seldomly had a problem with sizes.

Re: How to Save Money
 

Stop buying stuff.

Re: How to Save Money
 

To get better gas mileage, keep an eye on the tire pressure. Heard some statistic a while back, something like most cars on the road have under inflated tires, real bad for mileage.

Re: How to Save Money
 

My brother just told me this last week and he inflated my tires a bit!

Would under inflated be like deflated - :ursofunny

Re: How to Save Money
 

Mystery shop gas stations.

cybershoppersonline.com handles Chevron shops.

You buy minimum $5 worth of gas and $1 inside and keep up with certain things. You fill out a form online and you get $12.

I buy $10 worth of gas and the inside purchase and write it off as free gas.

The first cycle takes a month before you get your pay but you just use that money to buy the next round of shops and it is a continuous flow of free gas depending on the number of shops available in your area.

Re: How to Save Money
 

Kinda... under inflated is low pressure... deflated is no pressure. :)

Re: How to Save Money
 

I thought that was flat!:dance

Re: How to Save Money
 

Plan trips to the grocery store. Don't just go to "pick up a few things."

1. Peruse ads from various grocers.
2. Carefully plan meals, and what ingredients will be needed.
3. Create a shopping list. I know that sounds very simple, but many people don't.
4. Stick to the list. Do NOT deviate.
5. Only take a predetermined amount of cash with you. NEVER shop with credit cards and/or debit cards that have high limits on potential spending.


Other helpful hints are as follows:

1. Never go to the grocery store when hungry.
2. Stock up on staple items (like canned vegetables, flour and sugar) when they are on sale. When Thanksgiving sales hit, our family buys enough canned vegetables to last for around six months. Same thing with cake mixes.
3. Shop at discount grocers. ALDI and IGA brand stores normally give the best value across the board.