How to Shop Frugally

Sticking to a grocery list will help you avoid overspending.

Being a frugal shopper means setting and keeping a budget without veering away from it in order to stretch your hard earned money as far as possible. Different techniques will allow you to save money and shop frugally, from buying your weekly groceries to purchasing larger items such as appliances or a new television. You can make your money last by using simple yet effective ways to trim your budget.

Instructions

1. Look through grocery and drugstore ads each week and purchase items on sale when possible. Combine coupons with sales to increase your savings. Compare prices and the net weight of items such as cereal boxes to ensure that you get the most for your money. Avoid impulse buys and stick with purchasing the items on your list. If your store allows price matching, take in other store circulars to avoid driving all over town for bargains. Shop at grocery stores that allow double and triple coupons.

2. Visit your local farmers market for fresh vegetables and fruits that may cost less than at the grocery store. Keep track of the prices at your local stores so you can compare them at the farmers market.

3. Look past grocery store displays or eye level shelving. Grocery retailers typically place higher priced items at eye level, while lower priced alternatives or generics are relegated to the bottom or top shelves. End-of-aisle or in-aisle displays may offer sale prices, but most of the time the product carries the normal or even an inflated price. Avoid grocery store ploys by sticking to your shopping list and looking for generic equivalents beyond the middle shelves.

4. Shop at Goodwill or thrift shops to save on clothes. Most secondhand stores only take gently used clothing, and prices normally range from 50 percent or more off of new prices. Purchase clothes at the end of the season when department stores push their inventory with discounts and sales to make room for new seasonal stock. Avoid purchasing dry clean only clothes or items that require expensive cleaning products.

5. Compare prices for services such as a contractor for a new roof. Call and ask for bids on home projects from two to three contractors. Finding out the average cost for a home improvement job can keep you from spending too much due to an overpriced bid.

6. Shop for items during specific times of the year. Outdoor furniture, pool toys or grills normally go on sale at the end of summer, while snow blowers and shovels come with a discount in the spring.

7. Stick to your budget. A splurge now and then should not hurt your bottom line, but sticking with your overall budget helps you reduce debt and pay off loans faster.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant a garden. Grow your own vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes or green beans. Learn to can or freeze vegetables such as corn.

References

• Yahoo! Finance; Top Tips For Feeding Your Family on a Budget; Ruth Mantell; January 2010
• University of Colorado; Grocery Shopping: A Little Effort Can Stretch Your Dollar; Greg Swenson; November 2009