Check out these easy tips that can help you save money without clipping a coupon.
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t Clipping coupons is a lot of work. You have to clip them and file them so they are easy to find. Then when you are preparing your grocery shopping list, you have to be able to find all the coupons for your trip. This is a great way to save money, but it can be time-consuming.
t If you don’t have time or just don’t want the hassle of clipping coupons, here are seven tips to help you save money.
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Cut your cable
t Your are probably paying a lot of money each month to have cable in your house. How many TVs do you have connected to the cable? Do you watch all those TVs? Re-evaluate how much you use your cable. There are many free and low-cost options to watch your favorite shows. You can buy an Apple TV device, Roku, Chromecast, or one of the many other options that that let you stream videos to your TV. Many of the networks let you watch shows online, and you can use services like Netflix and Hulu for more variety. Even if you subscribe to both services you will pay less than $20 per month!
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Drink water
t It may be boring, but it is free. If you want to add some flavor, you can add some lemon or lime juice to it. When we go out to eat I always order water. It’s not only cheaper, I don’t get as full and I can enjoy my meal.
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Buy used and refurbished items
t Look for Facebook groups in your area that sell gently used items. I have found so many great bargains on my Facebook groups. Also, shop at consignment shops and yard sales. You can find so many great treasures for a fraction of the retail price. We also buy higher-priced electronics that are refurbished. They usually have the same warranty and you get a nice discount.
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Price match
t If you don’t have time to clip coupons, you can browse though a few ads and find all the deals you want to buy. Then go to Walmart and get all the deals from all the stores in one place! You will save gas and you will get all the products you need at the cheapest price.
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Buy in bulk
t If there are products that you always buy (diapers, wipes, toilet paper, paper towels, etc.) figure out the cheapest price you can pay per item and stock up when they go on sale. For example, Amazon has coupons, and when you match these with the cost minus the coupon minus the “Subscribe and Save” discount and free delivery, you will probably find the lowest price available. Plus, in many states you don’t pay tax for these items!
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Meal plan
t If I don’t plan out my meals for the week, I spend a lot more money each month. We eat out more because I don’t have dinner ready. When I have a list of dinners, I buy all the ingredients I need. Then each day I look at that list and decide what would be good for dinner. Do I need to make a quick dinner, a crock pot meal, or do I have time to make a dinner that takes a little more work?
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Create a budget
t This will really help you avoid overspending. If I designate $500 for my food bill each month (this includes home prepared meals and eating out), I am motivated to save more money at the grocery store so I have money left to eat out! It stops me from impulse buying. Plus it is always fun when you budget $100 for your electric bill and it’s only $75. It’s like paying myself a bonus. I have a budget for kids’ clothing and entertainment. When there is a sale on kids’ clothes, I know I can shop because there is already money put aside for this need.
t Making a few changes in your spending habits can help you save more each month.
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