7 Tips to Save You Money when Shopping

A funny thing happened at the supermarket the other night. I had completed my order and was ready to hand over my money when the self-scan machine's light began to flash. Assistance, it claimed, was required to complete the order.

I apologized to the attendant. Hoping not to repeat this embarrassment, I asked what I had done wrong. The problem, according to the attendant, was that I had saved too much money.

I didn't know that was possible.

I come from a background of savers. My mom cuts out coupons and paper-clips them to her shopping list. My adoptive gram does the same, but she takes it a step further. She checks the sale pages for all the local stores and sometimes shops at 2 or 3 to get the most for her money.

Savings Tip #1: Clip Your Coupons.

Sunday papers usually carry at least two or three booklets of coupons. Instead of just tossing them, take five minutes to flip through. Cut out coupons for anything that you use. You may be surprised how much you can save.

You can't save money if you can't find your coupons, though. Find a system for sorting your coupons that works for you. Some people like to sort by type of item. Others sort by expiration date.

Savings Tip #2: Clip Your Neighbors Coupons.

If you have neighbors or relatives who don't save coupons and you just can't convince them of how much money they'll save, ask for their coupon booklets. You can get duplicates of your coupons for non-perishable items and save more money.

Even if you aren't sure you will use the coupon by the expiration, it might be good to save it. You can always stock up on non-perishables before the coupons expire. You will save money over buying them at full price when you run out.

Savings Tip #3: Get Store Cards.

Many stores offer store cards to help you save money. Most grocery stores and pharmacy stores have cards that you must present to receive sale prices. Retail stores, such as Dicks Sporting Goods, Hallmark, and Borders, are more likely to offer rewards cards. After you spend a certain amount at the store, you get a discount for money off a future purchase.

Some store cards have a yearly fee. Those should be considered careful. If you are not likely to spend enough money to earn rewards, you are wasting the money spent on the yearly fee.

Free store cards, though, are almost always a great way to save money. Generally, you can apply at the customer service counter, but cashiers can often get you an application also. The two minutes it takes to fill in your name and address are often rewarded by receiving your new card immediately. Keep the cards in your car or wallet so that you will always have them and you may be surprised at your savings.

Savings Tip #4: Check All Store Circulars Before Shopping.

Most Sunday papers also have circulars from all or most grocery stores in the area. Take a few minutes to scan them. Besides having different items on sale, you may find that they have different sale prices for the same items.

Take note of prices on non-perishable items that are especially good deals. You can save money by stocking up on things that you will use before they go bad (and things that don't go bad), rather than buying them later at full price.

Savings Tip #5: Plan Your Shopping Trips.

If your local grocery stores are close, you may be able to shop at more than one to save the most money from each. If not, chose the one that has the most deals and best prices for the most savings.

Make a list of purchases for each store. Clip coupons for the items that you plan to buy to your list. You will not only save money, you will save time by being organized.

Savings Tip #6: Stick to the List.

Supermarkets are designed to convince consumers to spend money. You will save more when you do your best not to make "impulse" purchases that aren't on your list.

It doesn't hurt to treat yourself once in a while. Other times there may be something that you forgot. However, if you find that you have more than a few purchases per trip that weren't on the list, you may need to re-evaluate your planning.

Savings Tip #7: Don't Over-Buy.

Yes, it's tempting to buy extra so that you can use the coupons before they expire. You want to save as much as possible.

Perishables - anything that will spoil or lose effectiveness - are the problem. If you buy too many, you end up throwing them away. Your "savings" from the coupon you used doesn't erase the wasted money of throwing out items.

Many coupons also require you to buy more than one of an item. These coupons are best reserved for items that you know you will use, not those you are interested in trying. A coupon for a dollar off a purchase of four items may sound like savings. When you hate the first and toss the other three, you throw away more money than you saved.

Blend these tips with your routine to find a shopping strategy that works for you. You may be surprised how much you save!