Since we all want to save money when we shop, I wanted to share some of my favorite budget saving tips when shopping. Now I can put all my extra money here in my savings account and hopefully take a nice vacation in the summer.
1. When you are shopping, look at the price per ounce. The price per ounce is listed on the sticker. I have found that at many stores larger containers of food are actually more expensive per ounce, which is the opposite of what I would expect.
2. When using coupons, often the best way to get an item free is to buy the smallest item possible.
3. To save the most money it is important to change the way some of us have viewed grocery shopping. What I do now is buy the items that are on sale that you know you will use and will last and stock up on those. After doing this for a few months, you should have bought most of the items that you usually purchase at rock bottom prices or free. This really does work. I never pay money for toothpaste, razors, deodorant, rice, sauces, spices, marinades or most personal care items. I also rarely pay more than $3-4 dollars for a pack of diapers and pull ups, but I have many packs for my daughters at home.
4. When I go out to eat, I almost always use coupons. I always ask my husband what type of food he wants. This way I am more likely to be able to find a coupon, rather than looking for a specific restaurant. I also keep restaurant coupons in my coupon notebook to have on hand.
5. Start treating coupons like money. Bring them with you everywhere that you go so you are never forced to pay full price for an item again. My middle daughter has a song that she sings when we are out shopping, “Coupons are like money”, with a little dance to go along with it. And you know what, she’s right. I view coupons as my form of currency, because it is how I pay for many items that I purchase.
6. Save up high value coupons for triple sales and super doubles if your store frequently has these.
7. It is often cheaper to buy items on sale with coupons from grocery stores that are typically more expensive and double or triple coupons than it is to buy the same item at a cheaper grocery store that does not double coupons.
8. If you are couponing, try to stick to your list. This way you won’t overpay for an item that will end up being on sale on a different week. I know that this is not always possible especially when you are starting out, but eventually you will be able to follow this tip.
9. If you have certain stores or products that you really like, you should follow then on twitter or become a fan on facebook. More and more companies are offering you freebies and discounts through them. While there, follow Budget Saving Mom on Twitter as well @budgetsavingmom and become a fan of Budget Saving Mom here on facebook.
You will be surprised at how much money you can save by following these budget saving principles!
