| Most of the secrets for paying less involve | | | | you can call stores in your area to find out |
| planning ahead in when you buy,where you | | | | their prices to compare. If it's a must have, |
| buy,and how you buy. Here's some ideas to | | | | you'll probably save big bucks if you |
| help you started pinching every penny.Food1. | | | | wait.Automotive1. Store Connections. Find a |
| Shop at a "bag your own" grocery store. You | | | | gas station that's part of a grocery store. |
| can save a bundle shopping at these types of | | | | These places are normally at least several |
| stores. The difference is considerable.Look | | | | cents cheaper than their competitors. Some |
| in the phone book or on the net for stores in | | | | also have club cards that let you earn |
| your area.2.Sign up for club cards. They're | | | | additional cents per gallon when you buy |
| usually free and they make you eligible for | | | | groceries from them. When purchases reach a |
| certain discounts, so why not join? Some | | | | certain level, another fuel discount is |
| stores that have these cards keep tracks of | | | | earned. Good thing is, these club cards are |
| your purchases and when you reach a certain | | | | most often free.2. Don't fill up on |
| level you'll get another coupon on top of | | | | Saturdays. In some areas, gas will go up on |
| your savings.3.Buy meat at the market. | | | | Saturdays and just before holidays. Planning |
| Besides fresh meat and terrific prices, at a | | | | ahead will come in handy.3. Avoid freeway gas |
| meat market, you decide the quantity you buy. | | | | stations. Gas stations on the exit off the |
| No prepackaging here.If you want 3/4 pound of | | | | freeway tend to cost more than one a few |
| ground turkey, that's what you'll get.4. Buy | | | | corners down. They know they'll catch |
| at a bakery outlet. You can buy bread here | | | | travelers who don't want to get to far away |
| for around 1/3 of the price than your average | | | | from where they are supposed to be. But |
| grocery store. Also at discount prices are | | | | driving an extra block or two takes little |
| cookies and snack cakes for your grab and go | | | | time and gas and can certainly save you |
| snack. They items you find here are as fresh | | | | plenty.4. Comparison Shop. Don't be fooled by |
| or beat those at the grocery store.5. Use | | | | those TV commercials that claim they have the |
| those coupons. This is probably the most | | | | cheapest insurance around. There are great |
| obvious way to save. Your Sunday paper is | | | | companies that do charge signifinantly less, |
| normally packed with them. Take that extra | | | | but your driving record as well as credit |
| five minutes to cut them out. If you're | | | | history factor in on the deal as well.5. |
| looking for a specific coupon, try the | | | | Surcharge waiver program. Ask your insurance |
| maker's website.6. Look out for after holiday | | | | if they have this program. If you've been |
| candy clearances. This is normally how my | | | | accident free for a certain amount of type |
| family buys our candy. The first day after a | | | | while insured with them, and then have an |
| holiday prices typically go down 25-50%. Days | | | | accident, your rates won't increase.6.Safety |
| following, they'll reach up to 75%.7. Join | | | | and antitheft features. Airbags, anit-lock |
| Sam's Club or Costco. They have membership | | | | brakes, factory-installed seatbelts, and |
| fees, but they sell just about anything for | | | | daytime running lights not only increase |
| far less money. Not only do they sell food, | | | | safety for you and your family but may also |
| but they offer jewelry, clothes, video games, | | | | qualify you for auto insurance discount. |
| and holiday items as well.Home Products1.Try | | | | Also, most insurers love anti-theft devices. |
| a dollar store. Before shopping anywhere | | | | In some states have certain features can |
| else, try the dollar store. Many sell brand | | | | allow you to have a 25-35% |
| name products as low as one dollar.2.Get | | | | discount.Healthcare1. Avoid the E.R. Most of |
| creative in looking for coupons. If you can't | | | | our trips to the emergency room do not |
| find that certain item in Sunday's paper, | | | | require emergency care. But they end up |
| call the toll free number on it's package. | | | | costing us signifigantly more than a regular |
| Often they'll send you some coupons just for | | | | doctor visit. Check now for any urgent care |
| asking. Don't forget to search the internet. | | | | centers in your area and use them instead |
| Try here Are you in a group qualified to pay | | | | whenever possible. You could potentially save |
| less? Look into it. You may qualify for | | | | up to 70%.2. Go to health care clinics. Try |
| lower prices if you are low income, disabled, | | | | to avoid shots from your regular doctor. |
| a veteran, senior citizen, or active in the | | | | Health clinics normally have a set fee which |
| military.2.Ask power company about discounts | | | | is very inexpensive.3. Use Generic Drugs |
| based on income. If you qualify, ask if | | | | whenever possible. Before leaving the |
| there's a program that rebates part of gas | | | | doctor's office, ask about a generic brand. |
| and electric bills once a year. These savings | | | | There is no difference in quality, but there |
| can amount up to hundreds of dollars a | | | | may be a large difference in price.Pets1. |
| year.3. Cable companies sometimes offer | | | | Look for a spay/neuter clinic. Check the |
| discounted services to certain people. | | | | yellow pages for a low cost clinic. They |
| Seniors, military, and lower income families | | | | typically offer more services, such as shots |
| may get lower rates. Check websites of local | | | | and other minor procedures.2. Shop online. |
| providers or call.4. Sign up for auto-pay. | | | | Many pet medications such as flea treatment, |
| Ask if there's a fee waiver for those who | | | | wormer, and heartworm pills are a great deal |
| have their bill taken directly out of | | | | less. Remember reputible site will ask for |
| checking accounts. You won't have to worry | | | | the prescribtion before you can have it |
| about late fees again either.5. Bundle | | | | filled.Entertainment1. Shop online at There |
| services together. If you recieve cable and | | | | is a wide range of music here. Sellers sell |
| internet from two different providers, find | | | | items ranging from acceptable to like new. |
| out if you can switch to a plan that combines | | | | There is a good chance you'll get what you |
| both for lower rates than when paid | | | | expect because sellers strive to keep a good |
| seperatly.6. Eliminate the landline. If you | | | | reputation to buyers.2. Try Ebay. You might |
| have a cell phone and don't need it for | | | | find an even better deal because you bid for |
| internet purposes, look into eliminating it | | | | items. Always check shipping. Some sellers |
| altogether.Clothing1. Shop outlets. In some | | | | like to raise shipping costs to make more.3. |
| cases you can save 25-75% than regular | | | | Join a bookstore discount card program. Every |
| department stores.2. Stock up on staples. | | | | purchase you'll recieve about 10% off regular |
| Items like socks and undergarments have | | | | price. Some charge a fee, but for avid |
| periodic sales at major discount prices.3. | | | | readers, the fee is well worth it.4. Check |
| End of season sales. Long before seasons | | | | travel discount websites. While you're at |
| change, seasonal clothing hits the clearance. | | | | it, book your reservations online to save a |
| New season products come in months ahead, | | | | few bucks or more.5. Kids stay/eat free. Most |
| hence the sales.Kids1. Try Ebay. Be careful | | | | hotels typically don't charge for children |
| because you're buying from individuals you | | | | with you. But first check what is considered |
| don't know. But Ebay offers new toys at | | | | "kid". Age limit ranges from 16-19.6. |
| discount prices, sometimes much cheaper than | | | | Frequent stayer programs. If you frequently |
| in stores.Always check for shipping charges | | | | travel, check the hotel you like to stay at |
| before placing your bid.2. Timely purchases. | | | | for frequent stayer programs, similar to |
| Shop early for Christmas toys. Preferrably | | | | frequent flier programs. You may earn free |
| before Thanksgiving. Research the item online | | | | nights and other perks. |
| to see where you can find the best offer. Or | | | | |