Yes We Can!!!

Eat in: Eating in might seem like a lot of work, but it's worth the effort. As a thumb rule, I equate one "eat out" meal to as many as 10 "eat in" meals. You can read more about this claim at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1430085/save_money_eat_in.html.

2.

Store brands: Store-brand products in grocery stores are often made by the same manufacturers as the brand-name items. It is just the branding and the advertising cost that inflates the cost of branded products. If you take prescription drugs, ask your pharmacist if a cheaper, generic version is available.

If you aren't, sure the store brand will fly with your family, secretly re-package the store brand product into your family's favorite brand's box or bottle and see if they can tell the difference. Usually, they can't. The saving per item maybe small but they add up real quick.

3.

7-day waiting: Impulse buys are a big no-no. I am an impulse buyer. In order to make my purchases rational, I use a 7-day waiting period. This functions like a waiting period for a gun. In many areas, anti gun rights politicians and organizations have mandated waiting periods before a gun can be purchased. They say that this period allows time for an angry person to "cool off" so that they don't go buy a gun and commit a crime. In our case, you see what you like, you wait for 7 days. If you still like it after 7-days. Go ahead and buy it.

4.

Use coupons: Using coupons is not frugal, it's smart. Coupons are a great way to get great deals. You can also maintain an account of how much money you saved thanks to the use of coupons. At the end of the month you'll be surprised at the amount of savings. Register you're your favorite Supermarket's loyalty program. When shopping online I always use http://www.retailmenot.com for coupon codes or just enter "coupon code (store name)" in Google.

5.

Keep track: Keep track of the expenses and the saving. Dedicate a little note pad to this cause and see your progress at the end of the month after a few months this will become second nature to you.

6.

Smart cards: If you have a full playing card deck worth of credit cards...You don't really need that many. In fact, as far as possible my husband and I use just one low limit credit card. At department stores, like Macy's or JC Penny, use their cards, that'll get you better discounts. Pay off the credit cards at each billing period to avoid interest. You don't want to be paying people more than you owe them. When people say smart cards, it's not so much the card being smart but the person using it being smart.

7.

Cars: Economize on your cars. Down grade your car if it's pulling you down. Our car is our second biggest monthly expense, after our home. If your cars cost you more than your home on a monthly basis, its time to rethink your strategy. New economic cars can save you money on fuel and earn you a decent tax refund.

8.

Bills: Keep track of your utility, cable and telephone bills. Thanks to the neck in neck competition between the service providing companies, this is the section where the consumer can see some relief. Use energy efficient appliances. Insulate your home from extreme weather. For more information http://www.doughroller.net/smart-spending/20-inexpensive-ways-to-lower-your-utility-bills .

9.

Reduce car usage: I cannot stress enough on the power of list making. Throughout your work week keep a shopping list with you. Every time you remember you need to pick up something jot it down. What do you want and where do you want it from. We have two grocery stores that we buy different things from. We alternate a trip to each on the week-end. If week one is Store X, week two is store Y. The bulk buy store is a bi-monthly visit.

10.

Bulk buys: Bulk buy stores like Sam's Club, Costco and BJ's can be great places to get deals. The memberships are worth it. Go with a list and only buy only what you want. Canned food, toilet rolls, tissue paper, kitchen rolls, detergent...and other such long shelf life products are better bought here.