Money Saving Tips

I am a numbers person. It helps me tremendously to see where we spend …and where we can improve each month. I know I may go overboard but I track EVERY dollar we spend. One of the first things to do if you are just getting started, or have set a resolution to make changes 2011, is to set a budget. Know what your exact amounts are for what you have to pay out in bills and what you have left over for groceries, gas, clothes, etc. Then set a budget for each of those other items. If you are looking for a way to track and manage your money, you should check out Mint.com

It’s a FREE budgeting software helps you manage all your personal finances, including bank accounts, credit cards, and investments, all in one place. It can also help you develop a plan to pay off debts and save for other things as well. (a new car, Retirement, etc.)

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I recently was introduced to a website called Daily Worth. It is a site that is about money management for women! After reading through several of the articles, I have to say I was pretty impressed with all great advice they have in many areas that I know a lot of us may struggle.

I absolutely LOVE the end of their tagline! – “we deliver practical tips, empowering ideas and the occasional kick in the pants.” Who doesn’t need that every now and then. I know I still do sometimes. I am going to enjoy getting the daily real advice that’s for sure!

Sign up to receive their daily updates here.

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If you are new to using coupon and want to know more about how to get started saving big. I cut my own grocery costs from over $800 per month to $400 a month. Here are a few starting points for you to get started saving yourself. When you apply these methods, you will start to see a big difference in your grocery budget!

Plan Meals each Week

Having a simple menu plan will save you hundreds of dollars a year on groceries. Really!!! Just come up with 6 or 7 meals for each week. I plan which day I will have each but you don’t have to do that if you don’t want. Plan your meals based on your grocery stores weekly sales (especially meats) if you are just getting started and don’t have a lot stockpiled yet. The key getting started here is to have the ingredients for the meals you plan but NOT buying them at full price!

Matching Weekly Store Sales with Coupons

By doing this simple task, you can quickly see how you can get items for really, really cheap (and a lot of times completely free). It does require a little planning and you may have to shop at different stores to get the best prices, but it is SO worth it. You will not be sorry. Look at it as a fun game and not a chore. Another tip you may not know is that coupons are issued by companies when prices are usually not on sale hoping you will use them toward full priced items. And they are usually issued as a prelude to a sale. So, cut them a wait a week or so and you can almost bet that you will see them on sale in the near future. Sales in stores run on about a 6-8 week cycle. Stockpile (buy enough to last you several weeks) on items when they are rock bottom prices with a coupon to save a ton!! If you are new to using coupons, be sure to read Getting Started Using Coupons.

Buy Store Brands

I buy a lot of Store brands! If there is not a “sale with coupon” scenario that helps you buy a name brand cheaper, this is another area that you can always save.  Especially on your everyday items that you may not ever have a coupon for.  Milk, eggs, and more.  Most of the time, generic products are produced in the exact same place as the name brand….in the exact factory.  Big companies just spend ‘big’ money on advertising their products which is passed onto consumers with more expensive prices.

Look “up” and “down” on the store shelves

Stores are very smart! They strategically place the most expensive items at eye level. Always look at items on the top shelves and down on the bottom. And also make sure you are getting the cheapest price on the item you are looking at. This information is usually found on the price label with price per ounce or pound. Compare these on similar items.

Be sure to visit all (4) of our favorite Coupon Printing Sites to build your Coupon Stash if you are just getting started

AND if you are looking for a particular coupon, you can find them in our Coupon Database!

Linking up today with 4 Moms: Life in a Shoe, Raising Olives, The Common Room, and Smockity Frocks

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