The economic times have forced many people to cut back or pass on many expenses. Instead of giving up on those items that you need or want, you just need to get a bit creative and think outside the box. Whether you are buying tires, groceries or electronics (or anything in between) you can save money by following a few simple tips.

1. Ask for a manager or a supervisor. Not all sales associates are in a position to negotiate.

2. Ask for a discount. If you don’t ask for something then you are not likely to get it. The worse they can say is not. The best that can happen is that you get the item for the price that YOU determine.

3. Look for defects. If the item has a scratch or a missing part then you can usually get a good amount off the purchase.

4. Ask for free items to go with your purchase. Although the manager may not be willing to give you a discount on your new television, he might be willing to throw in a few free DVD’s or other items with your purchase.

5. Be prepared to pay for the purchase. If you have cash on hand (instead of having to finance) then you will have more negotiating power.

6. Ask about upcoming sales. Sometimes stores will honor future discounts.

7. Be willing to walk away. The fear of losing the sale can sometimes overpower a managers desire to turn down your request.

Although some items and stores and situations lend themselves more to the haggle than other do, you still won’t know until you try. Start looking for your great deal and you just might find it.

The holidays are some of my favorite times.  It use to be that just after Thanksgiving, the lights would start going up and the stores would start hanging the tinsel and playing the much loved tunes.  It seems that with every year, the shopping season gets earlier and earlier.  Although I don’t like having to listen to “Jingle Bells” for three months (I feel so sorry for the employees), I do agree that shopping early will make your holidays brighter.

Waiting until the last minute to do your holiday shopping will guarantee you just two things:  One - you are definitely going to spend more than you planned to spend.  Two - you will not get the perfect gift you hoped to buy for the ones you love.

Learning to shop ahead means you can take your time finding something that will be loved and used by the recipient.  It also means that you can check out several stores to find the best price.  The early bird can also shop online (often saving loads of money) and won’t have to spend a fortune on shipping because there is no rush.

Another great thing about shopping for the rush (especially if you are looking for toys for the kids) is that you have time to get something that the store might be out of at the time.  Waiting until the last minute means if it isn’t on the shelf then you don’t get to buy it.

Don’t wait another minute.  Start your holiday shopping now and use the savings to take the whole family on a great holiday trip.

Grocery shopping is a like a game for me.  I spend time prepping for the game, drawing my lists and cutting out my coupons.  Menus and quick fixes are planned and arranged by aisle on my list.  There are even asterisks next to the items that correspond to the stash of coupons I have filed in my mine expandable folder.  There are many twists, tricks, and turns I take to prepare for my grocery shopping adventure.

It’s not really so much a game as it is a hunt.  Every time I head out to the grocery store, I am determined to save money.  I think that is one of the main reasons I don’t like to send my husband out to do the shopping.  He just doesn’t get the same rush over a couple of dollars as I do, so he doesn’t shop with the same care.

I’m always looking for the next great tip on how to save money at the grocery store.  So far, my big savings was 25% - a far cry from some of these “coupon queens” that are every where.  I blame my lack of savings on the rural area that I live.  It can’t be my lack of preparations or my shopping skills - I have honed both with patience and practice.  Still, it would be nice to stand at the check out aisle and watch the total due amount plummet with each card until it neared zero.  Even better would be to find a way to make the grocery store pay me for doing my grocery shopping at their store.

Until that day comes, I will continue to clip my coupons because I know that I save about $10 a week when I do.  I will continue to buy items just at the sale by date because the store gives me great discounts (this is especially great with meat and veggies that can be taken home and frozen).  Nothing is going to stop me from getting more bangs for my buck at the grocery store. 

The hunt is on.

Most parents will tell you that having kids is an expensive endeavor so any breaks, specials, or discounts are great. That is especially true when it comes time for back to school shopping (or Christmas or birthday or dances, etc . . .). Schools are making it even more difficult for the parents by requiring special notebooks, backpacks, and even clothes in many cases.

My mother was very fortunate. She didn’t have to plot or plan to save money - I was a penny pincher from early on. A shopping trip was just not successful unless I managed to save a bunch of money. As early as fourteen, my mom was comfortable giving me her credit card. She knew I would be able to get more bang for my buck than she could ever imagine - being the beauty queen in the family.

Parents are getting breaks through sales and even tax free shopping days, but buying for school can still be a budget breaker. Looking over the lists that each school hands out each year was over whelming for me. It’s been twenty years (ouch - has it really been that long) since I was in high school, but I don’t remember needing anything more than notebook paper and a pencil (and even those were optional if you were a jock with a great smile).

So, with as much money as the schools get from tax dollars, you have to wonder where the money is going. Parents shop and pay for everything today. Some schools even charge for a second set of school books that can be taken home and left to do homework so the child won’t have to carry a full pack back and forth between home and school.

Stop the insanity parents. Tell the school that you are going back to notebook and pencils. If we all stick together, what can the schools really do about our new ideas for back to school shopping?

Budgeting is hard enough on a single income.  When the price of milk begins to skyrocket, it makes buying groceries on budget even more of a magic act.  It takes more than just cutting a few coupons to stretch the dollar at the grocery store.

1.      Never, ever go into the grocery store hungry.  You are much more likely to buy impulse foods.

2.      Buy store brands if at all possible.  These usually have the same or nearly same taste, as the name brands at a fraction of the cost.

 3.      Make a list.  This usually starts by making a menu.  Know what you have and what you will need to make these ingredients into a meal for your family.

 4.      Switch shopping lists with a friend.  This will guarantee that you only get what is on your list.

 5.      Don’t go to the store with the kids.  Shopping takes concentration – something that is not normally accomplished with the kids in tow.

 6.      Find a store that has double coupon days, and frequent them on those days.  You could end up getting some items for free – always good for the budget.

As the price for essentials continues to rise, it will take more creativity to stay in budget.  Follow these guidelines, and continue to look for more tips.  We’ll get by with a little help from our friends.