Cost Saving Tips

During these tough economic times, we are all looking for ways to save money. Inflation has caused prices to rise drastically and if you've got a keen eye you've seen inflated costs for just about everything. Heating oil, gasoline, groceries and utilities cost more in 2008 than they did in 2007. Gasoline prices are low at the moment, but heading back up faster than a horse race. Homes are losing value, property taxes continue to rise and foreclosure is looming for millions. We are all feeling the crunch to save money and I've got some easy ways to save you a bundle.

#1Cook from scratch - Stop buying pre-packaged food and start looking for recipes. Instead of buying jarred pasta sauce, make your own. It's easy, tastes better and for the same price as one jar, you can prepare three times as much. Freeze what you don't use and you've got 2 extra meals ready to go. Buy a whole chicken instead of chicken parts. A roasted chicken will yield approximately 3 to 4 meals for nearly the same cost. Example: Roasted chicken dinner will yield not only dinner, but chicken salad and chicken soup (Huge pan of soup) all from one chicken. Chicken soup freezes well and will yield another meal later. There are a host of other recipes, just surf the web!

#2 Clip coupons - invest in the Sunday paper. The paper has loads of coupons for things we need and use every day. Surf the internet for coupons. Wow coupons, a website I use; has tons to choose from and they're free. Print them at home and watch your saving add up. Shop at supermarkets that will double the coupon's face value, doubling your savings. Additionally; it's not a bad idea to shop at more than one store. Some stores have awesome sales; take advantage of sale prices, such as buy one get one free. Combined with your coupons, you could save a lot of money. The average savings per week is well over $20.00 and that doesn't include the store sale. At the end of the month, you will have saved enough to pay a bill, or treat the family to dinner and a movie!

#3 Shop the clearance racks at your favorite retail stores - Plan ahead and buy your winter gear at highly reduced prices. When stores bring in new merchandise, they have to get rid of last seasons, which mean huge savings for you. Don't be tempted to buy off the rack. A quality winter coat before Christmas might cost upwards to $100.00. Waiting until January to purchase, will save you at least 25% or more. That's a $25.00 savings from one item. The same can be said for summertime. Buy summer clothes late in the season and watch the saving's pile up!

#4 Reduce heating costs - Before the cold weather slaps you in the face and the bill wallops you between the eyes, winterize your home. Check for incoming air from your windows and doors. If you find drafts, seal them up. Purchase weather stripping for your entrance doors. A lot of cold air may be seeping inside your home and keeping the furnace running longer than necessary. Have a professional inspect the furnace to be sure it's working properly by cleaning the ducts. It's not a bad idea to change the filters once a month. They are inexpensive and will make for better air quality.

#5 Don't purchase the newest electronic technology right away, unless you've got money to burn. Wait at least a year to purchase that new television because the newest technology has the highest price tag. Waiting a year will reduce the cost significantly. A 36 in. flat screen television for example cost over a $1000.00 a few years ago. Today, that cost is less than $700.00. Check EBay stores, often the deals are better than at a large retail chain and include free shipping.

#6 Stop using credit cards - learn to buy things using cash only. Interest rates are through the roof! Use the savings tips I've provided and pay off your debt. Learn to use self control and only purchase the necessities. Let's face it ladies, do we really have to have ten bottles of designer perfume? More than likely we only use one or two of our favorites. Guys, do you really need more hunting gear or more toys? No, we can all make do with less and alleviate undue stress when we take out our checkbooks to pay the bills.

The key to securing a healthy financial future requires a bit of work and self control. Use the tips I've provided and stop putting money into other people's pockets. It's time you thought of you and your family's future. None of us can be sure what the next few years will bring, but making changes now and planning ahead will put you ahead of the economic game.