Finding the Best Thrift ShopsGo to the best town (most expensive real estate) and comb the thrift shops. Rich people throw things out too and sometimes new or near new. The quality may be better and you still pay thrift store prices.
By JANET
Reducing Food Costs and Avoiding DebtBudgeting is an integral part of personal finance and debt management. It requires proper allocation of money in all the categories to save money. Although purchasing food is necessary, if you're not attentive, it may also break your budget.
Don't Be Shy Using Coins and CouponsI used to be really nervous when I am in line with coupons or if I take slightly longer at the register to pay. I just didn't want to be "that" person everyone would be angry at. I would opt to use my credit card just so I don't have to fidget with cash and coins.
Bargain Dishwasher Pods at Dollar TreeI saw dishwasher pods for the first time at Dollar Tree. The pods were 10 in a package for $1, which makes them 10 cents a pod. They work just as well as the Cascade Platinum, which I can get for the lowest price of $3.99, which happens if they are on sale and I have a coupon.
Food for Thought on Your Grocery BudgetMy husband and I went grocery shopping for meals for the week. He bought a roast for $15 and a big pack of hamburger for almost $15. I complained that it was too much money in our food budget for two packs of meat. Well, as it turns out it was not.
Make Friends with Your GrocerAs a self employed worker in a soft economy, I have learned to stretch every nickel to do a dime's job. One of my best strategies is to become acquainted with the department managers of my favorite grocery stores. These men and women have supplied me with valuable information regarding the foods in their departments.
Keeping Track of Card BalancesI have a PayPal card and other cards that are loaded by sources other than me. I spend what I spend and when the funds are gone, I turn my card around in my wallet. This tells me the funds are depleted and I don't even think about trying to use them.
Shop at Home to Save MoneyAlthough, I'm not a packrat, there are times when my pantry, closets and cabinets can get rather full. This is when I go on a home shopping spree.
Getting the Most for Your MoneyWhen I need to buy dish liquid or any cleaner for that matter, I don't just grab any bottle. I will look at all the bottles on the shelf and pick the one that is the fullest. Because if you pay attention there are some bottles that are fuller then others. That's how I get the most for my money.
Stay Out of Stores to Save MoneyThe best way to stop spending money is to stay out of the stores or the yard sales or thrift shops. Sometimes we think we are saving money by shopping sales and taking advantage of specials or coupons, but that is true only if you really need something.
Buy Now Pay Later at Fingerhut.comFingerhut.com allows visitors to buy now and pay later. They offer great credit options, and say yes when many other credit providers say no. They have great products too from TVs to clothes to furniture.
My Frugal Life: Beware of Sales!At this time of year all the shops are blazoned with seductive notices of enormous reductions: "fifty percent off", "eighty percent off". Who wouldn't be excited at the prospect of picking up a new toaster or food mixer or winter coat at a fraction of its original price?
Buying Smoke Free Items OnlineI've seen a lot of complaints about items purchased on eBay smelling bad. It happened to me too. So now, before bidding, I contact the seller and ask, "Does this item have any odors of tobacco products, pets, or cooking on it?".
Check The Price Per Ounce When ShoppingI've found that when grocery shopping, it pays to check the price per ounce. Sometimes a sale item isn't the cheapest product. Kids love to help with grocery shopping. While shopping, asking them to compare prices and price(s) per ounce for various foods.
Track Sales With A Price BookKeep a notebook of commonly purchased foods that are on sale. Note the date bought, store, brand, and the size of package and price per pound or ounce.
Keeping Track of Gift Card BalancesGift cards are a great gift, but keeping track of how much is left requires a method. The method that works for me is to wrap the last receipt around the gift card, since the remaining amount is usually printed there.
Mail Order Catalog TipI love looking through mail order catalogs. In the past I ended up with many items I didn't need because I would fill out that order form and send it in. Now, I fill out the order form with anything that takes my fancy.
Gift Card BudgetingThis one works great! Hubby pointed out that he saw big fluctuations from month to month on our grocery spending. I've decided that $400 should be enough for a month of groceries.
Walgreen's EasySaver BookletI like saving money when buying beauty items, cleaning items, etc. and I love Walgreens Easysaver books. They come out every month and have coupons as well as refunds many for FREE items.
Use Deferred Billing When Ordering OnlineWhen online shopping, I use the "defer billing code". That gives me the time to receive the products and review the products-condition of, it's what I ordered etc.
Ebay Buying TipsWhat appears to be a bargain, may not be. I love eBay, in fact, I sell and buy on eBay. I have learned the hard way to not get into bidding wars. Do your research on the item or items you are interested in, decide ahead of time what you are willing to bid and stick with that amount.
Have a Dollar Store BudgetEven when I go to the dollar store, (or should I say, especially when I go to the dollar store) I make sure I count the items in my basket to make sure I am within my budgeted amount.
Saving Money on AppliancesBuying new appliances is an expensive proposition. Here are some tips for saving money on appliances from the ThriftyFun community.
Buy Seasonal Toys on ClearanceDon't you hate paying the crazy prices they charge for kids toys - and doesn't it seem like the only ones that go on sale are the ones that are really expensive to begin with?
Buy Store Brands For Big SavingsWhen grocery shopping, watch for store brands. They're usually always cheaper than national brands. On a recent grocery shopping trip, in the store sales flyer, I spied a name brand saltine crackers on sale 2 for $4.00.
Tips For Ebay AuctionsTips For Ebay Auctions. Here's an EBay tip - Watch the end of the sale. Just heard from an antique dealer that sometimes the bids go way up at the end. Also, check on currency and shipping rates to factor in the cost.
Shopping With a PalShopping with a Pal. When going shopping anywhere, take a pal. Let them in on what you're looking for, and likewise. . .
Start A Coupon ExchangeStart A Coupon Exchange. When you are close friends with other neighbors, and you have different needs, exchange coupons! E.g., 1 neighbor has 3 cats. Next door has 2 adult dogs. 1 has a newborn infant, and 1 is past the "Change".
Watch for False AdvertisingWatch for False Advertising. Try to look at your receipt when you buy big-ticket items like a flat screen T.V. My husband was alert enough to see that Best Buy advertised a high definition T.V. from Sony with higher pixels or some other technical term but were selling an older version.
Organizing Rainchecks and Coupons with a Photo AlbumThis tip is for organizing store rainchecks and coupons. I try to get rainchecks each time I visit the grocery store, so I may purchase these out of stock products at my convenience, and maybe I have also found coupons by then.
Satisfaction GuaranteedSatisfaction Guaranteed. Most foods and over-the-counter medicines have "satisfaction guaranteed" printed on them. If you don't care of something, take it back to the store or call the toll-free number. . .
If You Are Overcharged at WalMartIf You Are Overcharged at WalMart. For Wal-Mart shoppers, here is a tip if you were not aware of it. When you go shopping make sure you look at the price tag, compare the name, ounces, anything else that is pertinent to the item.
Using Coupons Before They ExpireWhen using coupons, I organize them by month not the item. For instance, all my January coupons are in the December area of a coupon saver and my February Coupons are in the January, March coupons are in February, etc.
Shopping With a CellphoneYou can make shopping around a lot quicker if you have cellphone. Before you go shopping, write down the numbers of other stores that carry the products you are interesting in purchasing.
Shop At Stores That Save You MoneyIt's true that while one store may save a shopper money on shampoo another store will do that same for grapes. Yet, traveling to these different stores to save pennies here and there often isn't worth the gas it takes, especially with today's gas prices.
Don't Buy Items Under StressDon't buy items when you are stressed out or anxious. Always be prepared to leave a store or a car lot if you don't feel comfortable with your purchase. Most items can be returned, no questions asked, within the first month of purchase if they are unopened.
Use a Tally Counter When Grocery ShoppingTo help save money when grocery shopping or shopping for multiple items anywhere, use a tally counter to keep track of your spending and don't be surprised when you get to the register. Calculators never work for me because I always end up zeroing by mistake...
Music Instruction Materials OnlineI just scored on a concertina for $20 in a thrift shop (used ones go for 3 times that much) and the bonus is that I found I could get instructional material on the internet, so I could get going without further expense.
Know Store Return Policy Before BuyingBefore purchasing something from a store, make sure you know and understand their return policies, and how they apply to what you are buying.
Avoid Additional Warranties at CheckoutOnly buy products that have good warranties in the first place, and say "No" when a checker offers you an impulse warranty on electronics. If you are afraid that the product will not last past the manufacturers warranty, it's probably not worth buying.
Cautions for Online ShoppingThere was a story on out local news about a young lady who thought she was buying a telephone on Ebay and when she received the purchase, she had purchased a box without a phone inside. . .
Complaining About Bad ServiceEven though I don't like to complain, there have been several times I have done just that. Here are a few tips to resolve complaints.
Window ShoppingWindow shopping can be fun and useful - I went to an upscale craft fair over the weekend and saw several things at much higher prices which I had gotten for much less.
Lists for the RefrigeratorIf you get a small notebook and glue some magnets to the back, you can keep it on your refrigerator.
Buying Used Washers and DryersI have bought new sets of washer and dryers twice in my life. I have learned, that they wear out in 4 to 6 years, if you have kids. So, now, I just buy a good set used, and save $650 a set. And they last just as long.
Using Coupons and Avoiding Impulse BuyingThis is saving me time and money at the grocery store. With trial and error, I finally figured out how to use coupons more effectively and efficiently. . .
Buying Used RefrigeratorsI have had good luck with buying used refrigerators, but an apartment manager I knew gave me a good tip. When you buy a used refrigerator, "Torture" it during the time period of the month or so warranty you have.
Avoiding Checkout SurpriseIt seems really simple but some people still go over their spending limit when they shop and have to put stuff back at the checkout. I hate to do that, so what my husband and I do now is we set a limit and I put that limit into the calculator when we get to the store.
Buying CondimentsAt a restaurant supply store, I purchased a gallon of prepared yellow mustard for nearly $3.00. I bought it only for fill-ups for my regular sized squeeze mustard bottle, for everyday use.
Saving Money on Major PurchasesWhen you're thinking about a major purchase make yourself a list and stick to it. It's too easy to be caught up in the moment and buy before you really think...
Shopping with CouponsWhen shopping use coupons. Sometimes you will find out that generic are a better deal than the name brand with a coupon, sometimes not.
Sale Items That Have Run OutOne day I was at the grocery store with my daughter and noticed that the coffee that they had on special (at an especially great price) was all sold out...
Be Satisfied with Your PurchaseIf you get a carryout meal, only to get home and it's not exactly what you ordered, by all means, keep your sales receipt. Stop back in and tell the management about your purchase. They'll most likely make it to your liking.
Shopping with CashI always spend less money if I use cash instead of my debit card or check book. An excellent tip that I have used for years is so easy. When I shop...
Buying Gently Used ItemsConsider buying 'gently used' items instead of paying full price at the mall or other stores. Try checking out consignment shops. If you've never been to one, you'll be surprised at the good deals you'll find.
Buying Work Boots with BlemishesWe've all probably shopped at a Factory Outlet Store before, knowing all the time, you're purchasing second quality products, that save us a lot of money.
Walgreen's Monthly Easy Saver RebateWalgreen Drug Stores offer a monthly easy saver rebate where you can usually get 1 -3 items free of charge after rebate. This offer is so good they usually are out of the "freebies" the first week of the month. It's best to buy during the middle of the month after they restock. They will have a small easy-saver flyer as you enter the store that features the monthly specials.
Combining CouponsDid you know you can use 2 coupons on the same product? Yes, a "store" coupon and a "manufacturers" coupon can be combined. For example, Walgreen's has a coupon in their flyer for Listerine (this is a "store" coupon).
Friends and OverspendingIf you tend to overspend when shopping with a certain friend, you might want to either go alone next time. Also, "just browsing" tends to lead to overspending. Think to yourself if you really need this item?
After Thanksgiving Shopping FunLast year at 11:00 pm. my sister, daughter and two nieces loaded up in her big vehicle and went on an ALL NIGHT shopping Spree. We had our list all prepared with what stores had the BIG SALES and we made our battle plan.
Avoid "Skip Payment" and "No Payments or Interest Until" OffersWhen shopping, avoid "skip payment" offers as they cause you to pay more interest and face larger bills. Also, avoid "buy now and pay later" offers, which encourage you to spend money you don't have.
Creating Your Grocery ListTo keep from over buying at the store I always make a list the night before buying groceries. My husband and I do it together, we make sure all staples are covered and the meat and the veggies. We then check all the non food items and write them down.
Family Dollar Stores'Family Dollar Stores' accept manufacturer's coupons. Shop there before shopping at the grocery or elsewhere to get the most for your money.
Googling for CouponsBefore shopping online I find it best to google for a coupon on the store site I wish to visit.
Price Adjustment? Too Late? Not NecessarilyMost retailers have a published policy allowing customers a specific time frame to receive price adjustments and an unpublished policy that actually extends this time frame anywhere from 7 to 14 days.
Imperfections Equals Discounts, Even PackagingEveryone probably knows about getting an additional discount on imperfect merchandise, but many don't know that imperfect packaging gets the same discounts. The store I work at, like most stores, has a policy that allows at least an additional 10-20% discount on damaged items.
Too Early, Too Late For a Great Sale - Not AnymoreMost retail stores have an unpublished policy that allows customers to receive the sale price for an item either a day before or a day after the begin and end dates of an advertised sale. You just have to ask to receive the sale price.
Shopping CardsIf you shop at a store that has a shopping card (like so many do nowadays), make sure the cashier scans it before any groceries are rung up. Otherwise, you might not get the sale price.
Enhance Your Negotiating AbilityMy mother is often attributed as the Kung-Fu Queen of Negotiation. She bargains with an ease and serenity that only true masters possess. An analysis of my mother's skill has presented the following five tips that will enhance your negotiating ability in a way you never thought was possible:
When Buying a Printer, Factor In The Cost Of InkBefore you purchase a new printer; research and see if you can buy the ink to refill the cartridges. There are many online ink suppliers that furnish the "manufacturer's-type ink".
Shopping With "Credit Type" Gift CardsPut a piece of masking tape on the card and write the amount left on the card after you make a purchase. Then there is no doubt how much is left to spend.
Ad Matching TipsIf you do ad matching at Walmart, put all of your ad matching items on the bottom of your cart as you shop, then have them rung up first or last so you don't forget to keep them separate.
Check Online for CouponsPrior to shopping, I visit the store's website to see if there is a current coupon I can print.
Keeping Receipts For ReturnsKeep a small coin purse in your purse and when you make a purchase put the receipt in the coin purse. You will always have your receipts with you if you need to return an item.
Deterring Purse SnatchersMy purse always seems very heavy so I like to set it in the child seat of my shopping cart. I try to never take my hand off it. But just in case I do for a brief moment, I ALWAYS loop the child safety strap through my purse handle and lock it!
Locate the Bargain BinsMost stores have reduced, marked down item bins. Always go there first when shopping early in the morning. You get the best of the bargains.
Adding up the Savings at the Grocery StoreI usually use coupons at the grocery stores and also buy their saving specials. When I get home I put the money I saved in my savings account...
See How Tangible Your Grocery Store Savings AreDo you find that you don't have the extra money to stock up on items that suddenly go on sale for a really unbeatable price?
I Don't Shop In JanuaryI stop all spending during the month of January. The constant barrage of ads in December makes January my favorite month to do this. I pay the household bills, but everything else goes on hold. I feed the family from the pantry and freezer which helps to do an annual cleaning out of both of those systems.
It feels good to "make" it through the entire month without buying anything! It also makes us grateful for the things we have and we all save tons of time too!
By Sue
Ask for a RaincheckAlways get a raincheck! If the store has run out of an item on special, it is well worth it to go to the service desk and request a raincheck. This will enable you to get the item at the sale price after the sale has ended. Be careful -- some rainchecks have an expiration date.
Avoid Stores and MallsOne of the most effective methods of plugging those leaks in the budget and buying impulsively is to stay out of the stores and malls. It was hard at first but now it is much easier. I noticed the difference in my budget immediately.
Befriend the Butcher and the BakerIf you use a lot of bread and/or meat, it's a good idea to ask the butcher and baker what time they put out discounted items.
Watch for Sales and CouponsWatch the store sales and take the time to cut your coupons. I usually save between $30-40 each trip to the grocery store. It is worth the time.
