How to Save Money on Everything You Buy
Whether you're a frugal shopper for the thrill of a cheap find or out of necessity with a tight budget, you'll find a vast array of options for saving money. The key to getting the most savings is always patience. You can't get a deal on every item all the time, but you can get a deal on everything some of the time. Leaping on those chances as soon as they appear will help get you everything you need for less.
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Instructions
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Shop for used items whenever possible. You can purchase clothing, shoes, jewelry, furniture, home decor, toys, electronics, books, movies, even cars and homes used. Look at Goodwill, the Salvation Army and other thrift shops as well as garage sales, estate sales, eBay and Craigslist.
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Wait for sales. This tactic is especially important with groceries -- one of the few things you can't get used. When you spot a sale, stock up on as much as you can consume before it goes bad. By freezing meat, you can make a sale on chicken or beef stretch out over months.
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Use coupons for name brand purchases. If you're willing to buy generic, the store brand will almost always be cheaper than the coupon deal. In some cases, however, generic versions are not available. For these, wait till you find a coupon deal.
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Haggle whenever appropriate. You can always argue over price on big ticket items like homes and cars. You can offer a lower price at garage and estate sales as well. You can even ask for a better price in traditional stores if you find an item that's slightly damaged.
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Comparison shop and prepared to quote others' prices. This works well with car or home insurance, cable and internet providers and other services such as exterminators and lawn care. While you may not actually want to go to the trouble of changing companies, telling your current provider that you're considering it could save you money.
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Swap you goods with others to get things completely free. Books, movies, children's clothing and video games are prime pieces for an even swap. Find friends interested in the same entertainment and you can trade when you're tired of what you have on hand. Fellow gardeners can trade excess produce for more variety. Moms can swap babysitting services for regular date nights.
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Buy in bulk. You'll pay less for everything from toilet paper to breakfast cereal if you purchase large quantities at a time. Go in with a neighbor or family member to split the cost and the goods if you can't use large quantities in a reasonable amount of time.
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References
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