Saving money doesn’t always have to mean buying less – sometimes it means buying
cheap. There are a hundred and one ways to save money and still buy what
you want and need.
Buy Generic Brands
Sure, the name brands don’t seem that much more expensive – what’s
forty cents? However, taking that attitude with two-thirds of your groceries
can put a real dent in your wallet. If you don’t believe it, try the old
comparison trick: with one big shopping trip, buy all the name brands as you
normally would. With the next big shopping trip, buy only generic brands,
whenever they are available. Compare the receipts and you’ll be amazed at what
you save! Forty cents per item adds up quickly when you have a full cart!
Clip Coupons… But Only for What You Already Buy
Don’t fall into the trap of buying something only because you have a coupon
for it. If you wouldn’t normally buy the item, or would buy a considerably less
expensive version, you aren’t really saving anything – you’re spending more to
buy something you wouldn’t normally, which is why they gave you the coupon. So
by all means, look for coupons and sales – but remember that it will only save
you money if the deal is on something you already plan to purchase.
Shop at Discount Stores
Discount stores are a fabulous way to save money and still get
everything on your shopping list – perhaps even without sacrificing your
favorite brand names. There are discount stores for all varieties of shopping.
Some “super” stores – such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, and Target – offer discounted
groceries, clothes, books, movies, household items… Basically anything you
could ever need in or around the house. There are also plenty of discount
stores for clothing and home décor, such as Ross and T.J.Maxx. These stores
offer a selection comparable to ordinary stores, but at a fraction of the
price, allowing you to stock your kitchen, find household items, or supplement
your wardrobe without blowing your budget.