Maximize Savings on Everyday Items

Frugal living is more than a lifestyle. It's a passion. Call Me Crazy! I love It! Why, who wouldn't love getting paid to buy products that they use everyday? Here's how I do it.

I purchase an item that has a rebate offer (either a store or manufacturer rebate) while it is on sale and use a coupon during purchase. That's it! Using this formula I almost always come out ahead. When all is done, I've gotten back more than I actually paid for the item.

Even when I do have to pay for the items like deodorant, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and toothbrushes it's about 50 cents for a item that would cost up to $2 -$4 originally.

Am I the only one out there that gets excited about this? I doubt it! At least I hope not. That would make me "Crazy", wouldn't it? But a lot of folks just don't know how to combine money saving measures to maximize savings.

My local drugstore (which by the way is a national chain) often advertises items free after rebate. Hey, that cuts down on a lot of work for me. Easy Money! I’m also lucky enough to have a grocery store in my area that offers rebates and offers double coupons (sometimes even doubling $1 coupons as a special promotion). Needless to say, with six mouths to feed (myself, my husband, and four kids) I'm lovin' that idea!

As the editor of SimpleDebtFreeLiving.com, I'm always looking for new ways to save money. Visit us and share your ideas or just let us know how excited you get about frugal living! Let me know I'm not the only one. Then we can put my family's worries to rest. They think I'm really crazy. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SAVE ON ITEMS YOU USE EVERYDAY

1. Always use items that are reusable rather than throw away

For example: Reusable coffee filters, cups and plates, and my favorite pet peeve -

THE GREAT SANDWICH BAG CONSPIRACY

The major manufacturers of sandwich bags would lead us to believe that it takes rocket science to keep a sandwich fresh. Ask yourself this, How long do you need to keep that sandwich fresh anyway? It’s not like it’s going to the moon. It’s just going to the office or school for a few hours.

The most practical way to approach this is to purchase reusable sandwich size containers. This is also very environmentally friendly reducing a great deal of waste. If however, these have trouble finding there way back home ( which is likely if you have children), you can save substantially if you purchase the plain old pleated sandwich bag that cost a mere fraction of the razzle dazzle zipper kind. Your mother used these for years and years with great success. I have used both methods for years and have never received a complaint of a stale sandwich!

You’ll find that doing these little things like, using real cups and plates instead of paper or plastic throw away, and recycling containers for storage or even to use in craft projects, can save a lot of money. Each by itself may seem minor, but when put together amount to tremendous savings over time.

2. Don’t buy it if you won’t use it. Things like small kitchen appliances, repair tools, and gardening tools are good examples. We know they’ll make our life easier if we just had the opportunity to use them.

There are 101+ small countertop kitchen appliances available to chop it, grind it, mix it, open it, bake it, grill it…..well you get the message.

Simplify your life and narrow it down to a couple you just can’t live without. For me its my blender and my food processor. Although, I’m seriously considering a bread maker. Not quite sure if it's worth the money yet. Especially when I'm so close to a bread outlet. But, you can't beat the taste of fresh baked bread. I’m not counting the coffer maker it’s kind of standard equipment these days. I wouldn’t dare ask you to give that up! What am I crazy? Well , maybe....

3. Always get the best value for your money. Shop around. If this is a major purchase you will want to know what to look for. Research and compare products on the internet or in sale flyers. There’s nothing more challenging to the retailer than an informed consumer. That’s what you want to be. An informed consumer knows when it’s a good value!

INFORMED CONSUMER = MORE SAVINGS

It’s little things like the examples above that identify frugal living. Frugal living is essential to “living within your means”. Living within or below your means is the secret to financial security and independent wealth. Quit investing in credit card companies and start investing in yourself. Anyone can do it. You Deserve IT! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MAXIMIZE SAVINGS ON YOUR GROCERY BUDGET

1. Do your homework! Know what’s on sale and plan your menu around the weekly sales flyers.

2.Know what your local stores offer. Which ones have the lowest prices? Start carrying a little memo book to record prices of items you buy regularly. Once you know where to shop, use all your resources. Combine rebates, sales, and coupons whenever possible for maximum grocery savings. This takes a bit more dedication but, you can literally get paid to purchase items if you’re willing to invest the time.

Many times my local drugstore has items that are free after rebate. I simply apply a coupon to the purchase and I’ve earned money. They are actually paying me to use the product! I LOVE IT!

I rarely pay for toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, or shaving needs. When I do pay it’s usually .50 cents or less.

3.Grocery savings aren't just for the grocery store. many drugstores now have food sections where you can save on groceries.

Also, items you usually buy at the grocery store (i.e. toothpaste, mouthwash, soap, shampoo) can sometimes be purchased at a drugstore increasing your grocery savings.

4.Always check your cash register receipt. Many stores offer a refund of full price policy for items that do not register the correct sale price. Thanks to simple human error, you save more!

Good Luck and Happy Saving!

Live Debt Free to Be Free. You Deserve It!

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