Granny's Best List for Saving and Living Cheaper
With the economy being so bad (at least that is what they say) I thought I'd pass on some of my Granny's Best Tips.
Always pay your bills FIRST before you pay any thing else. If you have credit card bills and can't pay the whole amount, pay more than the minimum payment EVERY month. When one credit card bill is paid off, don't charge anymore on it but DO NOT close it out (the amount you can borrow is good for your credit rating - just don't use it). Now take that money you have been paying on that credit card and put it on the other credit card payments, medical bills, house payment or car payment. Remember your goal is to pay all your major bills as soon as possible. Any time you get a pay raise take that money and put it in savings and continue to live on the amount of money you have been living on before the raise. Clip coupons (http://www.zoinkies.com/coupons/) each Sunday, from the paper or from web sites that offer coupons to print out. Use only coupons that are for items you REALLY need, not just because it sounds like a good deal. Check the paper and ads for buy one, get one free or coupons that give rebates. Check around for grocery stores that offer to double coupons. Try to go grocery shopping only once or twice a month. You can go extra times for little things, like milk and bread, but make a list and only buy those few items. Don't shop, go straight to the items and then leave. Never go shopping if you are hungry. Eat first, then go to the grocery store. Go alone, no kids or spouse. Make a list before you go and don't buy things you think just look good. Try to prepare meals that you can make and freeze. You can not only save money but time. If you have a farmers market or road side stands, get your fruits and vegetables there. They are cheaper and fresher than in the store. Check the internet for new recipes under quick meals, frozen casseroles (http://www.squidoo.com/cookaheadcasseroles), (http://www.zoinkies.com/recipes/), etc. There are lots of recipes that taste good and yet may only require three or four items for preparation. Just search under the types of meals you like. You can also save money by having the deli thin slice their meat for your sandwiches rather than buy it by the package. Shop at places like Sams and Cosco, where you can buy in bulk. Do not buy groceries at quick shops or Drug stores, their prices are way higher than a grocery store. You can also get the best prices for things like trash bags, laundry soap and cleaning supplies at stores like Dollar General or Dollar Store. Try to do all your shopping in one area if you can. After all, if you have to drive all over town, you are spending your savings on gasoline. If you have children, there is the matter of clothes and other things. Since kids outgrow their clothes in a matter of months, don't spend a fortune on their wardrobes. Look at consignment, thrift stores and garage sales. You can find a whole winter wardrobe of jeans, cotton shirts and sweatshirts. Even sneakers and jackets can be found that look like new. You will be surprised at how many name brand items you can get for a quarter to a dollar. You do need to do your garage saleing in the summer as there are not many in the winter. If you find something that is really nice but might be a little large, go ahead and get it and put it away for next year. As an example, Backpacks, which can take a bite out of $30 at the store can be found in abundance for a dollar at most garage sales. If you need a bicycle, that is also something there are plenty of for far less than a new one costs. If you see an ad for a consignment conventions like Just Between Friends be sure and check it out. As they put it "It's a 21st century, stadium-sized garage sale—with moms selling to other moms at rock bottom prices. " You can check out their website at www.jbfsale.com. They guarantee clothes at their sales will not have stains or tears and will be in lightly worn condition. You can also find things like strollers, bikes, toys and lots of other kids and baby items. You can also redo lots of things you find at garage sales with just a little paint or cleaning (http://www.squidoo.com/ideasforgaragesalefinds).
posted by Ann at
10:16 AM
1 Comments:
Great advice on so many things. One thing I am guilty of doing is going shopping when I am hungry. I always end up buying too much. I love garage sales and consignment shops and e-bay and get a lot of good stuff that way and it is cheaper. I wish you were closer. We would hit all the yard sales and flea markets.
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