Shop the Sales

Now that you are successfully using your coupons, lets talk about shopping the sales. Honestly, it doesn't take much effort to find where the best prices are on any product. Where to start? How about your mailbox? How many times do you throw away all the "junk mail" without looking at it? Every week I get ads from my local grocery stores, restaurants, car washes, etc. Do you need all of them? Of course not. Just do a quick look through and toss out what you know you won't use.
Lets start with grocery ads, Look and see who is offering the best prices on items that you would normally buy. Do you have a coupon for it? Even better! Stock up when prices are low. Each store usually has their weekly specials. If it is an item you use, buy as many as they allow. Is it worth it to go to more than one store a week? Sure, if the savings are significant and you don't have to drive too far. Remember, you don't want to make it a hardship or you won't do it. Give yourself incentives. It can be immediate, such as stopping for a treat ( iced coffee for me) or the satisfaction you will feel as you drop the extra savings into your bank.
My dad used to tease me about my "general store". It is a cupboard where I store all my extra toothpaste, deodorant, toothbrushes, lotions etc. When a guest comes to stay I am prepared. Most of my extra items cost me less than $.50 or were free. All from using coupons and shopping sales. My "general store" is stocked with quality items. I don't just buy something because it is inexpensive. It has to be a brand I like.
Shopping sales means saving on small items and big ticket items as well. We will get into that another day. Just remember to save your receipts. You want to keep track of just how much you are saving, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Happy shopping, Lisa