How to Set Your Mind On Saving

I had time to ponder as I was traveling this weekend. I was thinking I can show anyone how to coupon, but unless their mind is set on saving it will never work. They will save only pennies and not dollars.

Saving Money is a frame of mind. It takes being open to changing your whole way of thinking. Just because you clip a coupon for a few items doesn’t make you a super saver. You have to think like a saver! Here is what I mean.

Sale Cycles

You can’t expect to go to your kitchen and make a list of everything you are out of and go see if there is a coupon. You have to be an educated consumer and buy items when they are on sale at their lowest price.

Example

Pasta is on sale for $0.20 a box with coupon

You already have 2 boxes in your pantry

Expiration date is 12 months away

Buy 8 boxes because your family will eat them within that 12 months

You just spent $1.60 on 8 Meals!

Know Your Prices

Know what a good price is in your area. If you know you can get chicken breast for $1.88 LB on sale, you wouldn’t buy them for $2.29 LB during an off week. Keep a little notebook with you at the store and jot down prices of items you frequently buy to compare at other stores in the area or with sales ads to make sure you are getting the BEST PRICE.

Meal Planning

You have to be open to planning your weekly meals around what is on sale in your grocery store. Look at what fresh produce is in season, or what meats are on sale that week, and check what is in your stockpile. Plan your dinners accordingly so you aren’t spending extra on ingredients

Have Patience

If you start couponing today it is obviously going to take a while to build your stockpile of grocery items that you bought at the lowest possible price. Have patience and know that if you continue to look for items and stock up when the prices are low you are saving your family money!

Have an Eagle Eye

My kids and I joke about this one, but not every deal is in the weekly circular. I find so many clearance and unadvertised deals each week just by keeping my eyes open in the store. Always keep your eye out for a great buy! Remember to check end caps, and check your store mid-week for the best clearance deals.

Beyond Food

Saving your family money isn’t just about couponing and food. It is about being financially conscience in every area of your life. Here are some great Beyond food savings short cuts.

Buy children’s clothes from the out of season clearance rack, just buy a size or 2 up for next season.
Buy Toys for birthdays and holidays during the after Christmas clearance and stash them for later. The kids have no idea you saved over 50%!
Call your cable, phone, and even insurance providers to negotiate a better rate than the one you currently have. You may be pleasantly surprised that they are willing to work with you.
D.I.Y. (Do it Yourself). Don’t call someone to come fix that squeaky door. Google how to fix it and save that money for your own pocket. There are so many easy fixes that you can take care of yourself without paying a repair man.
Maintenance. Maintain your car, home, and even yourself. Getting the oil changed is much cheaper than a major auto repair. Same with taking care of yourself by exercising and eating right. You will save on health care later down the line!

Don’t Buy What You Can’t Afford

This is so simple, yet very hard for so many. My Husband and I got rid of all of our credit cards over 5 years ago. If we don’t have the money to buy it…we don’t. Once you get into debt charging everything you want or need. It is very difficult to dig yourself out. There was a time where we did not have any extra cash in our budget, and we still survived buying only our necessities. It can be done.