subject: Smart Shopping: Start At The Beginning [print this page] Everyday money matters can help you keep your finances running even on the tightest budgets. When you are fully aware of how much money you have to spend and where it needs to go, you will want to start thinking of new avenues to cut back.
A good place to start is with food. When is the last time that you checked out the sale fliers that junk up your mailbox? When you have multiple grocery chains in the area, comparative shopping will save you even more. There are some stores who offer double coupons on certain days of the week. Get to know the markets and follow their special limited time sales. When you have to buy in bulk to save money, watch the expiration dates before you purchase the sale quantity. If you have limited proper storage or possibly throwing it out before you get a chance to use it, you truly are not saving money by purchasing the lot. Using a coupon to buy an item you normally would not purchase is not saving money. Low budgets can fill a pantry, but doing it smartly will stretch your dollar further.
Whenever you can, make your own lunch, bring your own snack, and brew your own coffee. Stopping once a week for a $4.00 coffee and a $7.00 take-out meal for one add up. That is $572 you could be paying down on a credit card. The savings here alone will be working at lowering your debt, especially if you or your family goes out for lunch or coffee more than once per week. When you know you will be out in the car for most of the day and you have children, pack food! It doesn't hurt to grab a box of crackers or some fruit to curb those hunger pangs before you get home. Put some drinks in a cooler and save even more. The more you plan ahead, the better off your budget will be.
Clothing is another money eating necessity. The Internet has provided new outlets for shopping and clothing specials are popping up all over. Many of the local stores have online shops as well. Coupons and savings can be used for both avenues. When shopping online, keep it limited to sites who are offering free shipping. You are not saving money when the money cut off prices is added to delivering you the goods. Signing up for email fliers give you first hand access to selective sales. Control your spending to the items on your needs list. Buying the cute pair of shoes that are half off store prices is not saving money when it is not on the list. Tight budgets do not permit that sort of freedom. Keep yourself in a tight spending mode till you take care of some of your debt, and then you can feel free to splurge on an extra sale item.
Thrift stores are great places for shoes and clothes. You can find many items that were barely worn or not at all with tags still on for peanuts compared to any store sale. The image of thrift stores have slowly been changing and the new found interest is making them a more popular choice for even office wear.
Keep track of your savings. You may not know the exact dollar, but you can give yourself a good estimated guess at the end of each shopping trip. Keep a tally somewhere in your purse or desk. Take a look at the running savings list every time you pay bills. You can use the total many ways:
*Pat yourself on the back, knowing that your checking account is that much richer because you made smarter choices with your money.
*You could also challenge yourself to save even more the next month.
*Take that amount and put a percentage of it into a real savings account if the budget allows.
*Treat yourself. Spend a little bit on yourself for a job well done, or stash it away to treat yourself with something a bit more expensive later. Incentive to save is a great budget saver.
by: Malinda Starner
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