How to Be a Penny Pincher

Saving pennies can really add up.

Everyone is looking for ways to save money or make a little extra. Pinching pennies equals stretched dollars. There are tips to lead you down the road of frugality.

Things You'll Need

• Determination
• Patience
• Self Control

Instructions

1. Never buy new. With thrift stores and consignment stores in almost every city, eBay and Craigslist online, and garage sales on every corner most Friday and Saturday mornings, you don't need to buy new. You can find bargains for large things at estate sales and auctions. Buy a car that is a year or two old and you still get the manufacturer's warranty but you don't have to pay to drive it off the lot.

2. Be a penny pincher by buying smart. If you have to buy new, get it on sale or out of season. Everyone knows that the time to buy a heater is in the summer. Brave that after Thanksgiving crowd and find an awesome bargain. If you go super early, it isn't even that crowded. After Christmas is also an excellent time to shop for bargains because the stores are tying to unload all of the stuff that they couldn't get rid of at Christmas.

3. Borrow from family and friends. Just make sure you take care of what you borrow so that you don't end up buying it anyway and don't forget to return what you borrow or you may never get to borrow again.

4. Make or grow your own. Start a veggie garden and then can the veggies or freeze them for use in the winter. Need a new sweater and want to give one as a gift? Crochet or knit it yourself.

5. Cook from scratch. Say goodbye to eating out. You don't have to stick with rice and beans to eat cheap. You can eat on a turkey for almost a whole week. If time is an issue, you can cook two to three meals on Saturday and freeze them for later in the week. Or, you can use your crock pot.

6. Pay cash for everything. Cash your check and leave just enough money in the bank to pay your bills. Then pay cash for everything else. When you are actually spending your cash you might think twice about what you are buying. Plus, you can bargain more with cash in hand and get a better deal.

7. Go without. Finally, do you really need those fake fingernails every week? Can you wash your walls instead of buying new paint? Is it really necessary to buy another pair of shoes? Every time you are about to buy something ask your self if you really need it. When you see something that you want at a store, go home and think about it. When you've saved up enough cash to buy it, you can get it then, if you still want it.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you check the prices on store brand stuff before you cash in that coupon on name brand stuff.

• Make your grocery list based off of the sales that your grocery store is having that week. You probably get an ad circular mailed to you every week.

• Realize the difference between wants and needs, and only get what you need.

• Save your extra cash, don't spend it.

References

• PP Gazette