best saving money tips

mica178

I check out the grocery store specials online before I go shopping, and plan my menu around what's on sale.  Also, avoid pre-made stuff.  Making from scratch is more healthful and eventually becomes less expensive once you're pantry is stocked.

Also, always make a list of what you need before you go shopping.  Avoid impulse buys by sticking to the aisles where you need to be rather than wandering through the whole store.

[Deleted User]

-don't go to the movies very often, we just buy them used at Movie Stop if it's something we really want to see
-save the other stores sale ads, esp. those that match prices
-plan meals, then go to the grocery store
-cook at home
-use coupons
-don't buy bottled water

[Deleted User]

I pre-plan all meals for the week before we go to the grocery store (and then leave H home). 

I limit myself to coffee runs on Fridays (for health and budget reasons).

We turn off/down the AC during the day and at night.

H handles the money and will put whatever we can in savings right away.  That way, if we want to do extras and don't have the money, we won't take it out of savings.  It will have to wait till next month.

andyandhillary

I make a monthly budget 6 months in advance which includes all my bills but then also takes into account things like an upcoming vacation (gas money) and groceries.  If I am making a fancy dinner during the week with expensive ingredients I need to make something cheaper to stay in my grocery budget.  Maybe it's because I really like food but if I didn't do that my groceries bills would be astronomical. 

I love movies so I joined Netflix.  I really use it and get my dollar's worth out of it and it's way cheaper than renting and especially seeing movies in the theater.  When I do want to see something in the theater I go to a matinee.

Make lunch dates instead of dinner dates with friends/famiy if you can.  Lunch menus are more often than not much cheaper than the dinner ones and you'll be less inclined to buy a lot of alcohol and/or dessert. 

squirrly

No Kroger OR Meijer here.  I'm still figuring out where I like to grocery shop the best, and trying out Farmers' Markets.  Speaking of. . . I need to get out of here so that I can check one out this afternoon!

MattsPenguin

Squirrly - I truly miss my Kroger up here in Boston.  We shop at Stop 'n Shop, mostly for convenience.  The one thing that bothers me is that there are things that are only available at either Shaw's or Stop 'n Shop, not both!

Market Basket is supposed to have really good prices (although might be a bit sketchy).  Also there's a great produce place out here in Watertown, Russo's, that has locally grown, reasonably priced produce.  Check it out!

ehathewa

Evaluate wants vs. needs. 

Do you need it?  This is food, shelter, basic clothing etc.  You are allowed to buy this. 

Do you want it?  Restaurants, Vacations, Designer clothing, Designer anything, New Car, Cable TV, etc.  Think long and hard before you buy it. 

brilibby4

Make your own coffee.

Try not to eat out or get fast food.

FI and I put all of our change and money from returning bottles into a big wine jug and don't touch it until it is full.  Also, there is a place in town that takes bottles for 6 cents instead of 5 on Saturdays, so we only return on those days.

Use the library instead of buying books. (I'm working on this one!)

Eat seasonally.  Foods that are in season locally tend to be cheaper (and saves on shipping packaging, gas, etc.)

Unplug appliances when they aren't in use.  We were surprised how much of a difference this makes!

Jelenny

I think I read it in Real Simple and am trying it ou tthis year...

when I pay cash (gotta get better typically it's my debit card) I tuck all $5 bills aside - they are in my lock box and I have close to $300+ which will then be used for Christmas presents...

...oh and if I use my debit card my bank does a round up so rounding up to the next dollar gets put in a money market account...so it's not all bad to use the debit card

CLSchramm

-Buy lots of store brands. The savings really add up.
-Not taking DH to the store; he grabs junk food and soda more often than not.
-making a list of things we need before I go. While I don't plan meals, if I have a list of things I'm much less likely to buy more than what's on the list.
-getting the oil changed regularly, and making sure tires are aired up can make a big difference on the gas bill.
-When I remember, I'll run to the bank and get a set amount out for DH to have to spend on his sodas/snacks for the week. He gets bored at work and has a bad habit of going out to lunch just for the drink, even if I make him one, but does much better if he has only cash to spend.
-DH and mine's pay schedules coincide pretty well, so I put whatever we have left after each paycheck(s) into savings.