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