Tips On How To Save Money

If you want to save money you must make a firm commitment and stick to it! Saving on big item purchases (house and car) combined with savings on the smaller items (food and clothes) can reap substantial savings over time. There are dozens of ways to save money on everything from good to exercise equipment. Below are tips on saving money. As you know "a penny saved, is a penny earned" this makes every penny count!

Food
The expensive of buying food for the average family can eat you alive! Since food is a necessity, saving money on it is important. Everyone seems to have an opinion about what's the best way to save money on food.

Some people use manufacturer's coupons to save money on items they regularly buy. Some drive from store to store hunting bargains while others say the cheapest way to buy is to get everything at once in one place. Some people swear by Sam's Club or Costco, buying in bulk to save money.

You'll have to decide which way is best for you and your family. However, here are some basic guidelines to consider if you're trying to save money on your food bill:

• Buy soda, juice and water in multipacks. It's cheaper to buy the case then to buy these items individually.
• Buy store brands instead of name brands. In most cases you'll find the quality is equal to or better than the national brands.
• Avoid buying foods that aren't in season where you live. Fresh strawberries in January are good but terribly expensive.
• Don't browse in the grocery store. There are dozens of new items in the store everytime you go, and many of them look very tempting. Take a list and stick to it.

Restaurant Meals
Eating in restaurants or getting takeout is generally more expensive than cooking and eating at home. Think of restaurants and take-out meals as luzuries.

Keep these things in mind when you do go out to eat:

Drinks are expensive. Whether it's a cocktail, a good glass of wine or even a cup of coffee or glass of tea, this will add up quickly on your bill. Drink water to save money.

Watch out for hidden costs. Shrimp pasta is not a great bargain at $9.95 if you have to pay an extra $3.50 for a salad and $2.50 for garlic bread.

Ask the price before you order. Don't make the mistake of rodering a daily special without first asking how much it will cost. "Special" often doesn't refer to the cost of the item.

Fast food is not always cheap food. Add up what you spend the next time you eat at a fast-food restaurant. You can easily end up spending over $5 for a totally unmemorable meal.

Ordering takeout. If you get takeout to eat at home, provide your own beverages and dessert. These items greatly increase your take-out bill.

Clothes
If your clothes closet is like most American's, it has way too many clothes than you need or wear. To avoid spending too much on clothing, consider these tips:

1). Never use a credit card to buy clothes.
2). Shop for clothes only when you need something specific.
3). Minimize your accessories, which can be quite expensive.
4). Avoid clothes that must be dry-cleaned.
5). Buy clothing that matches items you already own, and buy classic styles that won't be outdated by the next season.

Fitness
Everyone wants to stay in shape, be healthy and look good. But gym fees can sometimes be to expensive to work into the budget. Here are other ways you might try to stay in shape:

~ Look for special rates at gyms or fitness centers.
~ Walk or jog in your neighborhood or on a school track. All you need for this is a good pair of walking shoes.
~ Don't buy expensive exercise clothing. It doesn't improve the quality of your workout.
~ Look in the classifieds or go to yard sales to purchase used exercise equipment so you can exercise at home. The cost of the equipment will quickly be offset by what you save in gym fees.

Grooming
Haircuts, perms, hair coloring, makeup, lotions, nail care - the cost of these items can quickly add up. It's understandable that you want to look your best, just learn how to save money doing it.

> Get a good haircut from a stylist and use cheaper places for in-between maintenance.
> Do your own nails or arrange with a friend to do each others' nails.
> Look for store brands or less expensive name brands in shampoos, face creams, lotions and other grooming items. Check the ingredients. They are often the same as the more expensive name brands.