| Most of the secrets for paying less involve | | | | where you can find the best offer. Or you can |
| planning ahead in when you buy,where you | | | | call stores in your area to find out their prices to |
| buy,and how you buy. Here's some ideas to help | | | | compare. If it's a must have, you'll probably save |
| you started pinching every penny.Food1. Shop at | | | | big bucks if you wait.Automotive1. Store |
| a "bag your own" grocery store. You can save a | | | | Connections. Find a gas station that's part of a |
| bundle shopping at these types of stores. The | | | | grocery store. These places are normally at least |
| difference is considerable.Look in the phone book | | | | several cents cheaper than their competitors. |
| or on the net for stores in your area.2.Sign up for | | | | Some also have club cards that let you earn |
| club cards. They're usually free and they make | | | | additional cents per gallon when you buy groceries |
| you eligible for certain discounts, so why not join? | | | | from them. When purchases reach a certain level, |
| Some stores that have these cards keep tracks | | | | another fuel discount is earned. Good thing is, |
| of your purchases and when you reach a certain | | | | these club cards are most often free.2. Don't fill |
| level you'll get another coupon on top of your | | | | up on Saturdays. In some areas, gas will go up on |
| savings.3.Buy meat at the market. Besides fresh | | | | Saturdays and just before holidays. Planning ahead |
| meat and terrific prices, at a meat market, you | | | | will come in handy.3. Avoid freeway gas stations. |
| decide the quantity you buy. No prepackaging | | | | Gas stations on the exit off the freeway tend to |
| here.If you want 3/4 pound of ground turkey, | | | | cost more than one a few corners down. They |
| that's what you'll get.4. Buy at a bakery outlet. | | | | know they'll catch travelers who don't want to |
| You can buy bread here for around 1/3 of the | | | | get to far away from where they are supposed |
| price than your average grocery store. Also at | | | | to be. But driving an extra block or two takes |
| discount prices are cookies and snack cakes for | | | | little time and gas and can certainly save you |
| your grab and go snack. They items you find | | | | plenty.4. Comparison Shop. Don't be fooled by |
| here are as fresh or beat those at the grocery | | | | those TV commercials that claim they have the |
| store.5. Use those coupons. This is probably the | | | | cheapest insurance around. There are great |
| most obvious way to save. Your Sunday paper is | | | | companies that do charge signifinantly less, but |
| normally packed with them. Take that extra five | | | | your driving record as well as credit history factor |
| minutes to cut them out. If you're looking for a | | | | in on the deal as well.5. Surcharge waiver program. |
| specific coupon, try the maker's website.6. Look | | | | Ask your insurance if they have this program. If |
| out for after holiday candy clearances. This is | | | | you've been accident free for a certain amount |
| normally how my family buys our candy. The first | | | | of type while insured with them, and then have |
| day after a holiday prices typically go down | | | | an accident, your rates won't increase.6.Safety |
| 25-50%. Days following, they'll reach up to 75%.7. | | | | and antitheft features. Airbags, anit-lock brakes, |
| Join Sam's Club or Costco. They have | | | | factory-installed seatbelts, and daytime running |
| membership fees, but they sell just about | | | | lights not only increase safety for you and your |
| anything for far less money. Not only do they sell | | | | family but may also qualify you for auto insurance |
| food, but they offer jewelry, clothes, video | | | | discount. Also, most insurers love anti-theft |
| games, and holiday items as well.Home | | | | devices. In some states have certain features can |
| Products1.Try a dollar store. Before shopping | | | | allow you to have a 25-35% discount.Healthcare1. |
| anywhere else, try the dollar store. Many sell | | | | Avoid the E.R. Most of our trips to the |
| brand name products as low as one dollar.2.Get | | | | emergency room do not require emergency care. |
| creative in looking for coupons. If you can't find | | | | But they end up costing us signifigantly more than |
| that certain item in Sunday's paper, call the toll | | | | a regular doctor visit. Check now for any urgent |
| free number on it's package. Often they'll send | | | | care centers in your area and use them instead |
| you some coupons just for asking. Don't forget | | | | whenever possible. You could potentially save up |
| to search the internet. Try here Are you in a | | | | to 70%.2. Go to health care clinics. Try to avoid |
| group qualified to pay less? Look into it. You may | | | | shots from your regular doctor. Health clinics |
| qualify for lower prices if you are low income, | | | | normally have a set fee which is very |
| disabled, a veteran, senior citizen, or active in the | | | | inexpensive.3. Use Generic Drugs whenever |
| military.2.Ask power company about discounts | | | | possible. Before leaving the doctor's office, ask |
| based on income. If you qualify, ask if there's a | | | | about a generic brand. There is no difference in |
| program that rebates part of gas and electric bills | | | | quality, but there may be a large difference in |
| once a year. These savings can amount up to | | | | price.Pets1. Look for a spay/neuter clinic. Check |
| hundreds of dollars a year.3. Cable companies | | | | the yellow pages for a low cost clinic. They |
| sometimes offer discounted services to certain | | | | typically offer more services, such as shots and |
| people. Seniors, military, and lower income families | | | | other minor procedures.2. Shop online. Many pet |
| may get lower rates. Check websites of local | | | | medications such as flea treatment, wormer, and |
| providers or call.4. Sign up for auto-pay. Ask if | | | | heartworm pills are a great deal less. Remember |
| there's a fee waiver for those who have their bill | | | | reputible site will ask for the prescribtion before |
| taken directly out of checking accounts. You | | | | you can have it filled.Entertainment1. Shop online |
| won't have to worry about late fees again | | | | at There is a wide range of music here. Sellers sell |
| either.5. Bundle services together. If you recieve | | | | items ranging from acceptable to like new. There |
| cable and internet from two different providers, | | | | is a good chance you'll get what you expect |
| find out if you can switch to a plan that combines | | | | because sellers strive to keep a good reputation |
| both for lower rates than when paid seperatly.6. | | | | to buyers.2. Try Ebay. You might find an even |
| Eliminate the landline. If you have a cell phone and | | | | better deal because you bid for items. Always |
| don't need it for internet purposes, look into | | | | check shipping. Some sellers like to raise shipping |
| eliminating it altogether.Clothing1. Shop outlets. In | | | | costs to make more.3. Join a bookstore discount |
| some cases you can save 25-75% than regular | | | | card program. Every purchase you'll recieve about |
| department stores.2. Stock up on staples. Items | | | | 10% off regular price. Some charge a fee, but for |
| like socks and undergarments have periodic sales | | | | avid readers, the fee is well worth it.4. Check |
| at major discount prices.3. End of season sales. | | | | travel discount websites. While you're at it, book |
| Long before seasons change, seasonal clothing hits | | | | your reservations online to save a few bucks or |
| the clearance. New season products come in | | | | more.5. Kids stay/eat free. Most hotels typically |
| months ahead, hence the sales.Kids1. Try Ebay. Be | | | | don't charge for children with you. But first check |
| careful because you're buying from individuals you | | | | what is considered "kid". Age limit ranges from |
| don't know. But Ebay offers new toys at discount | | | | 16-19.6. Frequent stayer programs. If you |
| prices, sometimes much cheaper than in | | | | frequently travel, check the hotel you like to stay |
| stores.Always check for shipping charges before | | | | at for frequent stayer programs, similar to |
| placing your bid.2. Timely purchases. Shop early | | | | frequent flier programs. You may earn free nights |
| for Christmas toys. Preferrably before | | | | and other perks. |
| Thanksgiving. Research the item online to see | | | | |