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- Sep 14, 2006
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Great tip! Yes, hubby and I eat before we shop and I always have snacks in my backpack in case we have the hunger pangs when we shop.
We make our own "GORP" (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts) which is easy to remember and make too! I add cranberries and chocolate chips to my GORP and then pack them in individual baggies.
This tip will help you too as well when it comes to grocery shopping- always shop at the outside square of the stores. The inside square of the stores is just junk. The outside square is vegetables, fruits, dairy products, meat and breads/grains. The inside square consists of unnecessary junk that you don't really need - only laundry detergent and so on.
1. Plan your spending. Avoid impulse buys.
2. Advertised items are not necessarily the cheapest.
3. Watch for unadvertised specials.
4. Remember to ask for a "raincheck" if an item is sold out.
5. To avoid crowds, do not shop after work, on paydays, or just before holidays.
6. Buy items before you run out of them. Buy at clearance, or sale price,
instead of regular price when you must have the item.
7. Know the sales cycle in your area.
8. Just because an item is on sale, doesn't necessarily mean it is a good deal for your family. If you won't use it, don't buy it.
9. Due to volume discounts, larger stores are generally cheaper than smaller ones.
10. Your emotions affect your shopping. Be careful of the "I deserve it" mentality.
11. Buy at the end of the season.
12. Stock up when prices are low.
13. Try alternative shopping: Shop salvage stores, thrift stores, consignment shops,warehouse clubs, yard sales, and garage sales.
14. Remember that no particular store has the lowest price on all items.
15. Create a "shopping pool". Agree with family and friends to shop sales for each other.
16. Shop alone. Other individuals will only help fill your shopping cart.
17. Check the entire store for specials and alternatives.
18. Get to know your favorite store's employees. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
19. Know your prices, keep a price book.
20. About Prices: Compare, Compare, Compare. This is how your price book helps you.
21. Larger is not always cheaper. Smaller is not always cheaper.
22. Look at unit prices.
23. You pay more for fancy packaging. Beware.
24. Remember the "Rule of Three":
If an item has three different ways it can be used, you will not be wasting your money.
25. Never pay full price.
26. Shop defensively.
27. Try store and generic brands.
28. Watch as the clerk rings up your purchases. Check your receipt.
29. Shop for gifts year round.
30. Return purchases that do not meet your expectations.
31. Complain if it is genuinely warranted.
32. Call before you go to confirm item is available.
33. If you must, leave the checkbook and credit cards at home or in the car.
source
Make your gifts year-round.
Recycle your gifts.
Take up food canning, jam preserves, pickling as they save a lot of money & make great gifts!
Ask a friend or two to pool their money with yours to make wine. It is only $20.00 each to make about 30 bottles of wine. It is cost-effective and the experience is rewarding financially.
My tips are in bold and I have bolded other tips to reinforce the importance of frugal shopping.
Today I cut hubby's and my own hair. We invested in a good scissor & electric clipper set which only cost us $20.00 CDN as it was on sale!
Hubby loves his crewcut and I love my pixie cut. I look very cute with my pixie cut; yes I can cut my own hair quite easily.
We both actually prefer me doing the haircuts because for one, it is simple to do and for two, communication wise it is hard sometimes when the hairdresser doesn't do exactly what we want.
Hubby and I don't have to tip me!
I admit that I like being a Jill of all trades; it does empower me and it gives me confidence too as well.
Excellent post, Mrs. Bucket.
Thanks everyone, this is really for our community. We help each other, in turn, we help take care of our community and our Earth. 
