Shopping Smarts-Save $$$

Most of the secrets for paying less involve planning ahead in when you buy,where you buy,and how you buy. Here's some ideas to help you started pinching every penny.

Food
1. Shop at a "bag your own" grocery store. You can save a bundle shopping at these types of stores. The difference is considerable.Look in the phone book or on the net for stores in your area.
2.Sign up for club cards. They're usually free and they make you eligible for certain discounts, so why not join? Some stores that have these cards keep tracks of your purchases and when you reach a certain level you'll get another coupon on top of your savings.
3.Buy meat at the market. Besides fresh meat and terrific prices, at a meat market, you decide the quantity you buy. No prepackaging here.If you want 3/4 pound of ground turkey, that's what you'll get.
4. Buy at a bakery outlet. You can buy bread here for around 1/3 of the price than your average grocery store. Also at discount prices are cookies and snack cakes for your grab and go snack. They items you find here are as fresh or beat those at the grocery store.
5. Use those coupons. This is probably the most obvious way to save. Your Sunday paper is normally packed with them. Take that extra five minutes to cut them out. If you're looking for a specific coupon, try the maker's website.
6. Look out for after holiday candy clearances. This is normally how my family buys our candy. The first day after a holiday prices typically go down 25-50%. Days following, they'll reach up to 75%.
7. Join Sam's Club or Costco. They have membership fees, but they sell just about anything for far less money. Not only do they sell food, but they offer jewelry, clothes, video games, and holiday items as well.

Home Products
1.Try a dollar store. Before shopping anywhere else, try the dollar store. Many sell brand name products as low as one dollar.
2.Get creative in looking for coupons. If you can't find that certain item in Sunday's paper, call the toll free number on it's package. Often they'll send you some coupons just for asking. Don't forget to search the internet. Try here www.onlycoupons.com.

Utilities
1. Are you in a group qualified to pay less? Look into it. You may qualify for lower prices if you are low income, disabled, a veteran, senior citizen, or active in the military.
2.Ask power company about discounts based on income. If you qualify, ask if there's a program that rebates part of gas and electric bills once a year. These savings can amount up to hundreds of dollars a year.
3. Cable companies sometimes offer discounted services to certain people. Seniors, military, and lower income families may get lower rates. Check websites of local providers or call.
4. Sign up for auto-pay. Ask if there's a fee waiver for those who have their bill taken directly out of checking accounts. You won't have to worry about late fees again either.
5. Bundle services together. If you recieve cable and internet from two different providers, find out if you can switch to a plan that combines both for lower rates than when paid seperatly.
6. Eliminate the landline. If you have a cell phone and don't need it for internet purposes, look into eliminating it altogether.

Clothing
1. Shop outlets. In some cases you can save 25-75% than regular department stores.
2. Stock up on staples. Items like socks and undergarments have periodic sales at major discount prices.
3. End of season sales. Long before seasons change, seasonal clothing hits the clearance. New season products come in months ahead, hence the sales.

Kids
1. Try Ebay. Be careful because you're buying from individuals you don't know. But Ebay offers new toys at discount prices, sometimes much cheaper than in stores.Always check for shipping charges before placing your bid.
2. Timely purchases. Shop early for Christmas toys. Preferrably before Thanksgiving. Research the item online to see where you can find the best offer. Or you can call stores in your area to find out their prices to compare. If it's a must have, you'll probably save big bucks if you wait.
Automotive
1. Store Connections. Find a gas station that's part of a grocery store. These places are normally at least several cents cheaper than their competitors. Some also have club cards that let you earn additional cents per gallon when you buy groceries from them. When purchases reach a certain level, another fuel discount is earned. Good thing is, these club cards are most often free.
2. Don't fill up on Saturdays. In some areas, gas will go up on Saturdays and just before holidays. Planning ahead will come in handy.
3. Avoid freeway gas stations. Gas stations on the exit off the freeway tend to cost more than one a few corners down. They know they'll catch travelers who don't want to get to far away from where they are supposed to be. But driving an extra block or two takes little time and gas and can certainly save you plenty.
4. Comparison Shop. Don't be fooled by those TV commercials that claim they have the cheapest insurance around. There are great companies that do charge signifinantly less, but your driving record as well as credit history factor in on the deal as well.
5. Surcharge waiver program. Ask your insurance if they have this program. If you've been accident free for a certain amount of type while insured with them, and then have an accident, your rates won't increase.
6.Safety and antitheft features. Airbags, anit-lock brakes, factory-installed seatbelts, and daytime running lights not only increase safety for you and your family but may also qualify you for auto insurance discount. Also, most insurers love anti-theft devices. In some states have certain features can allow you to have a 25-35% discount.

Healthcare
1. Avoid the E.R. Most of our trips to the emergency room do not require emergency care. But they end up costing us signifigantly more than a regular doctor visit. Check now for any urgent care centers in your area and use them instead whenever possible. You could potentially save up to 70%.
2. Go to health care clinics. Try to avoid shots from your regular doctor. Health clinics normally have a set fee which is very inexpensive.
3. Use Generic Drugs whenever possible. Before leaving the doctor's office, ask about a generic brand. There is no difference in quality, but there may be a large difference in price.

Pets
1. Look for a spay/neuter clinic. Check the yellow pages for a low cost clinic. They typically offer more services, such as shots and other minor procedures.
2. Shop online. Many pet medications such as flea treatment, wormer, and heartworm pills are a great deal less. Remember reputible site will ask for the prescribtion before you can have it filled.

Entertainment
1. Shop online at Half.com. There is a wide range of music here. Sellers sell items ranging from acceptable to like new. There is a good chance you'll get what you expect because sellers strive to keep a good reputation to buyers.
2. Try Ebay. You might find an even better deal because you bid for items. Always check shipping. Some sellers like to raise shipping costs to make more.
3. Join a bookstore discount card program. Every purchase you'll recieve about 10% off regular price. Some charge a fee, but for avid readers, the fee is well worth it.
4. Check travel discount websites. While you're at it, book your reservations online to save a few bucks or more.
5. Kids stay/eat free. Most hotels typically don't charge for children with you. But first check what is considered "kid". Age limit ranges from 16-19.
6. Frequent stayer programs. If you frequently travel, check the hotel you like to stay at for frequent stayer programs, similar to frequent flier programs. You may earn free nights and other perks.