Coupons are an easy way to save a few bucks on things you would normally need to buy anyways.
*note* NEED TO BUY. Buying things you don't need just because it's on sale is not saving you money!
Now I'm not talking about spending half your life stockpiling and dumpster diving for coupons like those "Extreme couponers" you see on TV. That's just unrealistic.
Coupons basically give you that extra little discount on whatever you're paying for. Whether it's a restaurant meal, groceries, household items, stationary, even car repairs, whatever it is you need.
Always keep an eye on local flyers, local newspapers, and "spam" you receive in the mail. There's also some websites like www.save.ca that mail out free coupons that you order online. Also things like Entertainment Books that you can purchase, have enough coupons for the book to pay for itself multiple times over. (And don't forget to wait for a sale on the book too!).
For store coupons, in general, manufacturers coupons (not specific to any one store) can be combined with in-store coupons. And in almost all cases, the coupons can be combined with sale items. So let's say your favorite toilet paper is on sale at a local store, and you have a manufacturer's coupon, you're saving on top of saving! If you have a few extra coupons, it's a great time to stock up!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Waste not, want not
Given the push for green alternatives, and shrinking our carbon footprint, not wasting anything helps pinch those pennies.
Next time you want to grab a paper towel to wipe that counter, stop and think. Can I do it with a cloth towel instead? If you use paper towels, don't immediately yank 2-3 sheets and start wiping. Grab one, see if it does the job. If it's not sufficient, then grab a 2nd one to finish the job.
When you're at home, turn off lights and appliances that aren't in use, and only light up an area if you're there. If you were watching TV and want to go take a shower, turn off the TV, and all the lights in the living room before you go. Use energy efficient bulbs in areas where the lights will be on often. Switching to CFL bulbs saves 60-75% in energy, and switching to LED bulbs saves 90+%!
When the weather isn't exactly the right temperature for you outside, make clothing adjustments inside, rather than cranking up the thermostat, or the air conditioning. Use a thermostat on a timer, so the furnace doesn't need to come on while you're not at home. On average a 1 degree Celsius change in heating can save you around 2%. A 1 degree Celsius change in cooling can save you close to 10%! e.g. In the winter our thermostat is set for 15C when we're not at home and 19C when we are, and 17C when we're sleeping. If we're feeling a tad bit chilly, we just put on a hoodie or sweater, and walk around the house with socks on. In the summer we open windows, use plain old fans, or hang out in the nice cool basement. No air conditioning here! Compared to the average BC household of the same size and number of people, we're saving at least 20-25% in energy.
Remember, every little bit you don't waste (food, energy, paper, etc.), equals savings for your wallet, and a nice warm feeling that you're doing your part for the planet!
Next time you want to grab a paper towel to wipe that counter, stop and think. Can I do it with a cloth towel instead? If you use paper towels, don't immediately yank 2-3 sheets and start wiping. Grab one, see if it does the job. If it's not sufficient, then grab a 2nd one to finish the job.
When you're at home, turn off lights and appliances that aren't in use, and only light up an area if you're there. If you were watching TV and want to go take a shower, turn off the TV, and all the lights in the living room before you go. Use energy efficient bulbs in areas where the lights will be on often. Switching to CFL bulbs saves 60-75% in energy, and switching to LED bulbs saves 90+%!
When the weather isn't exactly the right temperature for you outside, make clothing adjustments inside, rather than cranking up the thermostat, or the air conditioning. Use a thermostat on a timer, so the furnace doesn't need to come on while you're not at home. On average a 1 degree Celsius change in heating can save you around 2%. A 1 degree Celsius change in cooling can save you close to 10%! e.g. In the winter our thermostat is set for 15C when we're not at home and 19C when we are, and 17C when we're sleeping. If we're feeling a tad bit chilly, we just put on a hoodie or sweater, and walk around the house with socks on. In the summer we open windows, use plain old fans, or hang out in the nice cool basement. No air conditioning here! Compared to the average BC household of the same size and number of people, we're saving at least 20-25% in energy.
Remember, every little bit you don't waste (food, energy, paper, etc.), equals savings for your wallet, and a nice warm feeling that you're doing your part for the planet!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
If it isn't on sale, don't buy it!
A basic rule of thumb. If it's not on sale, don't buy it! A great saver always waits for a deal. If there's something you want, but don't need in a hurry, wait it out. Chances are there will be sale on the item, rebates, coupons, or discounts. Some items like electronics tend to drop in prices over time, so set a price target, and wait until it hits your price target before buying.
Make sure to read weekly flyers for stores you frequent. Everything from electronics stores to grocery stores tend to have weekly specials in their flyers. Keeping organized and writing down things you see that you need from each flyer saves time, and gives you a handy shopping list when you go. It also helps you to compare prices between stores for those items you really need.
Beware though, some stores "sales" aren't always the best deal. A savvy saver always has an idea of what prices usually are, to truly know if it's really a sale!
Make sure to read weekly flyers for stores you frequent. Everything from electronics stores to grocery stores tend to have weekly specials in their flyers. Keeping organized and writing down things you see that you need from each flyer saves time, and gives you a handy shopping list when you go. It also helps you to compare prices between stores for those items you really need.
Beware though, some stores "sales" aren't always the best deal. A savvy saver always has an idea of what prices usually are, to truly know if it's really a sale!
Needs vs Wants
The biggest barrier most people encounter is not knowing needs from wants. If you truly wish to save money, you need to split your needs and wants into different piles. Things you need are things that you buy on a regular basis as necessities. Things you want are frivolous items that you can live with out. The items in the "want" pile should only be purchased if you can afford them, or you've saved up for them.
Every time you think about buying something or pick it up to look at, stop and think. Do I NEED this, or do I want it? Think about, "what would happen if I didn't buy it?" Even if it's on sale, but you don't need it, you are still wasting money. Do you really need that nearly identical purse just because it's a slightly different colour? Probably not.
Spending $0 is far better than saving 50% on something you don't need!
Every time you think about buying something or pick it up to look at, stop and think. Do I NEED this, or do I want it? Think about, "what would happen if I didn't buy it?" Even if it's on sale, but you don't need it, you are still wasting money. Do you really need that nearly identical purse just because it's a slightly different colour? Probably not.
Spending $0 is far better than saving 50% on something you don't need!
Small steps to saving money
Seeing all the people that have come and gone throughout my life, I've noticed that being financially sound, and saving money, doesn't come naturally to everyone.
I grew up in a household with 1 bread winner (dad), and 4 mouths to feed (mom, dad, me and my sister). Mom was a super saver. Between her excellent savings practices, and dad's single income, we always had what we needed, and never felt we were missing anything.
I've learned that spending a little extra time to cultivate good saving habits can go a very long way!
In this blog, I hope to share some tips my parents have taught me, as well as a few new tricks I've learned along the way. If you have any great tips or ideas, please feel free to share!
I grew up in a household with 1 bread winner (dad), and 4 mouths to feed (mom, dad, me and my sister). Mom was a super saver. Between her excellent savings practices, and dad's single income, we always had what we needed, and never felt we were missing anything.
I've learned that spending a little extra time to cultivate good saving habits can go a very long way!
In this blog, I hope to share some tips my parents have taught me, as well as a few new tricks I've learned along the way. If you have any great tips or ideas, please feel free to share!
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