Guru Goddess

12-Clip coupons.
Even some of the discount, bulk stores accept coupons, so make sure you take advantage of all the Sunday coupons and neighborhood flyers. Pay attention to stores’ double-coupon days and save twice as much.  Even better, use a coupon when items are on sale.
Try to file your coupons alphabetically in a small coupon clipper file to save time and effort. Also try not to get tempted by new items that you would not normally buy.

13-Buy in bulk.
If a non-perishable item is on sale, consider buying several.
But make sure you also check the unit price on some items.  Just beeause it is a larger size, does not always mean it is a savings.  You might do better with waiting til the smaller items are on sale.

14-Check the store circulars.
This is where stores list their weekly specials. Read carefully, though, because stores sometimes intersperse regularly-priced items with sale merchandise. Know your prices on your list, so you can see if it is a real deal, or just a lure.

15. Do the work yourself—avoid store-prepared food.
Sure, it saves time to have everything cut up for you, but the time it takes you to prepare a salad or put together a side dish can definitely save you money over buying prepared items from the store. Plus, the food you prepare yourself is usually fresher and tastier anyway.

16. Join a food club or shop at a warehouse store.
Often the savings can more than cover the cost of the membership. If you are buying in bulk, share the large quantities out with friends and family.

17. Always double-check your receipt before you leave the store. Sometimes, items get miscounted, rung up twice, or charged in full even if they’re listed on sale. Or, it is easy to miss a coupon.  If there is an error, it’s easier to go to customer service and get a refund if you haven’t left the premises with your bags.

6-Always  make a grocery list before heading out.
Do this before you go into the store and then do your best to stick to it. You’d be surprised by how much you buy on impulse.
Having one master list of all your most important items listed in the order in which they appear in the store and then copying and circling what you need  will help keep your expenditure down, and alos stop you from straying into aisle full of unnecessary and often expensive temptations.

7-Eat food that’s in season.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but in these days of world markets and produce shipped from such faraway places as Costa Rica, buying in-season is more important than ever. Apples, pears, even strawberries are all much cheaper when they are in season.
If you have a large quantity, share it out with friends and family, or preserve it.
If you still want to buy produce that’s out of season, consider frozen fruits and veggies—sometimes they’re more reasonably priced.

8-Shop at local markets or farm trucks.
Because they don’t have to deal with shipping costs, chances are you’ll find better prices on produce—and fresher food!  If you buy in bulk, share it out with friends and family,or preserve it.

9-Avoid last-minute stops at mini-markets.
While these places are convenient, the prices for most items there are also higher than at larger stores.

10-Buy store brands.
Store brands can often save you 30 to 40% over name brands. And often, they are produced by the same factory anyway.

11-Don’t go grocery shopping when you’re hungry.
Everything looks good then, and your budget goes completely out the window.

In these challenging economic times, everyone is looking for even more ways to cut back financially.  Here are some ideas to help you pinch your pennies until they scream.

1-Be your own barista.
Going to your favorite coffee shop is an expensive detour on your way to work, with a lot of calories as well in most cases.  So why not brew the coffee yourself? Many popular coffee shops sell their house blends in bulk at their coffee bars and in local supermarkets. Find the brand you like, get some low-fat cream or whipped cream and flavored syrups, powedered cinnamon and nutmeg, if you really can’t live without these treats, and enjoy home made hot drinks for pennies compared to the $6 cups down the street!

2-Use a water filter.
For just a few dollars, you can buy a reusable filtered-water pitcher, or even choose a more elaborate filtered water system. These are investments that will pay for themselves when weighed against the cost of continually buying (and lugging home!) bottled water.
Also, now that we know about the dangers of BPA in plastic bottles, you will be glad to avoid drinking out of bottles from now on.

3-Watch sodas.
Sodas cost money, especially when purchased at convenience stores or in vending machines. Consider switching to water, or buy your soft drinks from the grocery or discount store. You can also get a soda system to make your own carbonated drinks for pennies compared to what it would cost, and save calories too.

4-Limit your alcohol.
We don’t even want to think about how much local hang out places charge for a beer or wine these days, let alone hard liquor. If you enjoy a drink or two, why not take turns hosting at your friends’ houses. Shop at factory outlet stores and look for bargains in unlikely places, like drug store chains.
Better still, try to cut back on drinking—and put the money you save in a coffee can for something else, like a vacation or staycation for a treat for you and the whole family/your friends.
Even if you don’t quit totally, cutting back on your drinking is good for your budget, and your diet!

5-Cigarettes.
Don’t even go there on the loooong list of reasons why you should quit. If you haven’t, at least cut back, and look to buying them online at a discount. Never pay full price in supermarkets or convenience stores. If you are quitting, once again, put the saved cash aside in a coffee can for an emergency fund or special treat to look forward to, and see how fast it all starts adding up.