by Sylvia Harrison

Created on: November 26, 2011

Got a minute? Sit yourself down with a pencil and paper and put your thinking cap on. First things first, though: Think about that coffee you have beside you. If you are like most people, you do your best thinking in the morning with your warm beverage or glass of orange juice beside you. What brand of coffee or orange juice are you drinking? Think you can't handle generic? Is your cup filled with the name brand? You can save approximately $2.00 on your grocery bill by switching to generic coffee alone. Whether it be coffee, orange juice, frozen vegetables, paper towels, or even toilet paper; you CAN make a big difference in the checkout lane on the total grocery cost by using generic products.

Now, let's get back to your list. Think about what your meal plans are for the week. Make a separate list of what you need for each meal. Are there things you can substitute? Are there other meals that can make use of the same ingredients that you can institute instead of one you have listed? For instance, if you are planning on chicken for a main meal, think about using those leftovers for a chicken and noodle for the next day. This will eliminate your cost for meat purchasing for a meal on day two. Look over your menus, keeping track of those things you can actually check off by using left overs. If you compare your old grocery list to your new one, you may be in for a big surprise at how much you have cut down the original.

Now, this may sound rude, but are you feeling warm and fuzzy in your t-shirt and jeans or your PJ's? If so, check your thermostat! It is most likely set too warm. Pick yourself out a cool sweatshirt, bought at the thrift store, and turn down your heat. Or, if feeling exceeding comfortable, maybe the air is on and you could change into something cooler and turn that thermostat up. A great deal can be saved on utility bills by changing the thermostat by even a degree or two.

The above mentioned thrift shop can be a shopping adventure. Locally, there may be Goodwill Stores, second hand shops, or even a garage sale, where you can pick up some pretty good bargains. Some people don't like the idea of wearing hand me down clothes, but they CAN save you a lot of money, especially on kids clothes and baby items. And, yes, you should wash them before wearing them. You can find multiple items, besides clothing, at these shops. Drive a bargain, but walk to get there if you can.

Which brings up a point about cars and their undying need for gasoline! If you can, plan your excursions and outings all at the same time to conserve gas and, thus, money. It might make for a long, tiresome journey, but try to get the groceries, stop by the banks, run into the library, drop off or pick up children, and pay the bills all in one trip. By doing so, you cut back on the time and gas expended on doing these tasks.

By taking an inventory of where most of your money is going, you can begin the task of saving money during tough economic times. Putting it down on paper lets you organize your thoughts, your budget, and your future buying excursions. There's no need to hurry, pour yourself another cup of coffee, (many generics are truly flavorsome!), grab some more paper, and list, list, list!

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