Food Glorious Food Shopping – Money Saving Food Tips

The first thing I do is not to become so obsessed with saving pennies that I travel all over the place to different shops/supermarkets because they have one thing that’s 2p cheaper that somewhere else – BUT IT COSTS ME £2.00 IN EXTRA PETROL TO GET THERE!

Customers have been programmed by the supermarkets to believe that the central aisle and the ends of aisles are where all the bargains and special offers are – WRONG!
Beware; I have noticed that not all stuff on these displays are the bargains they at first appear to be. I’ve seen posters saying ‘Special Purchase’ but the price is the same as before – no discount! I’ve seen posters saying ‘Special Buy’ but the price is the same as before – no discount! Watch ‘em – they are not there to give us a bargain, they are there to take as much of our cash as possible, you certainly have to have your wits about you when shopping, especially food shopping - take a list and stick to it.

Own label products I have found tend to be cheaper than branded products, but check all items as I’ve sometimes found branded products on offer are actually cheaper than own brand items.

Watch multi packs of items too, I’ve sometimes seen unit prices on multi buy items more expensive than a single unit price!

As I always say, the supermarkets are there for themselves to make as much profit as possible, play them at their own game and get to grips with the tactics they use.

Money Saving Miser Frugalistic way to giving presents

This is an exercise in frugal gift giving, making cards and presents will also mean so much more to the recipient, knowing that you have taken so much care and time, not to mention thought, (and not to mention not too much cash), in the making of something for them.

They don’t have to know how much you have spent, if indeed it has cost anything.

I always try to think of the person who I need to give a gift to, what hobbies or interests do they have? Can I make something to do with that? Do they have a desk? Perhaps a small pen stand nicely sanded and decorated would be ideal? I know just the person for this year!

The library is a great source, not only for books, but for the inspiration it generates, I use it often.

I’m looking all year long for bits and pieces that may come in handy, keeping a note book handy to jot down any ideas that may come to mind as to what each person may like and what I know I would be capable of making.

Lastly, if I find I can’t make something for someone, or I need special tools for a job, I’ll get down to the charity shop for anything that may be suitable, particularly at this time of year, when people may have given them something they received at Christmas but they didn’t really want!

Have a frugal Money Saving 2010

Money Saving Plans for the Year ahead

Happy New Year – another one over, another one starting – but what does it mean? Is there any significance in a calendar change?

It’s a good time to take stock, look to what the priorities are for the coming year. I like to view it as a blank canvas, what do I want to do with the coming year? How much will it cost? Can I afford it?

I always start with drawing up my plan for the year, my financial plan and a ‘doing’ plan.

The financial plan consists of going through all bills, bank statements and the like for the previous year and making a list of all income and all expenditure that I received and paid out last year. Then I ask myself, and my family:

Can we do this cheaper?

We scrutinise every single penny spent and ask:

Was that spent wisely?

We then draw up our budget for the coming year, listing every source of income (but only if its 100% guaranteed), we don’t bother to include any odd overtime payments etc, as these are not guaranteed and may not be received.

We then list every item of expenditure we are likely to incur.

I have a savings target of 10% of all income and that goes straight into a savings account.

So that leaves 90% of income to be spent!

I allocate all the fixed spending items first, I know the value of these from my records, and if any rises are planned.

Then I look at the variable spending I have control over and see what funds are available to cover these costs.

We then have a challenge to see if we can save a further 10% on these items to add to our savings pot.

I want to get more out of every pound, I will go to any lengths to achieve the same, or higher, standard of living, for the same, or less, cost than the year before.

I may not buy my kids all the latest gadgets, they may not have the latest £100 trainers, but they have everything they need: food, clothes, a home, for a wonderful life, living a frugalistic, non materialistic, way of life, leaving behind a minimal eco footprint too.

I try to concentrate on what I have rather than what others have, therefore, I ignore magazines that show glamorous lifestyles and the ‘things’ I cannot afford. It only makes you dissatisfied with life and can lead to ruinous mountains of debt with no hope of ever repaying. So I’m grateful for what I have and I work hard to hang onto every penny as long as I can.