How to Save Some Cash Shopping

The American writer, Washington Irving, once described money as "the almighty dollar, that great object of universal devotion throughout our land."

Inflation means your dollar doesn't go as far as it once used to. So, how can money be `saved` so that less is wasted on unnecessary items?  Having a budget means managing the spending and saving of your money. Make a list of all your expected expenses—lunch, transportation, entertainment, and so forth. Next, keep track of your actual expenditures for a month or so. Now you are in a position to make some reasonable and realistic spending and saving goals.

When you go shopping make out a list of what you need to buy before shopping and stick to this list. Never shop for food when you are hungry. Your stomach can prove to be bigger than your pocketbook. Do not take your children shopping with you, unless you are prepared to cope with the scene that might develop at the checkout counter when you refuse to add those items your children put in the cart when you were not looking. And it may be better not to take along your husband—in most cases husbands are notorious impulse buyers.

Watch the papers and shop for sale items. Shop with coupons for additional savings. Some stores feature double-coupon day where the face discount value is doubled, and don't shop too often. Statistics, experts say, indicate that if you shop only once or twice a week you will probably spend less. Don't stay too long. Supermarket surveys have indicated that for every minute you stay over 30, you spend 50 cents extra.  Buy the right size, says another expert. The largest cans of peas or beans, tomatoes or fruit, and other items, in most cases are more economical than smaller ones. The same is true with milk by the gallon as opposed to the quart. But be sure your family is large enough to use up the economy size.

Since transportation burns up a lot of dollars, cut down on your trips to the store and other places. Plan ahead and learn to consolidate your short car jaunts. Driving to different stores to chase down bargains may save pennies while guzzling gasoline dollars.  Look for online stores. Many items are cheaper when bought online due to the lower costs of  not running a business requiring a shop front, staff etc. Don`t forget there are some bargains to be had at thrift stores, or charity shops, where even designer clothes are sometimes sold at very low prices.