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