How Veteran Shoppers Save Money

Times are tough and we have to make tough choices.  I read my local grocery ads as soon as I receive them.  As a veteran shopper I recognize when they are offering very good sale prices or just listing regular priced products in their ads.  I know what items I use on a regular basis and will buy a larger quantity of an item where I can save more money now than only buy a few and have to purchase again at full price. It saves on trips to the store when you keep your pantry well-stocked and eliminates impulse spending and gas money. (No pantry-put up inexpensive shelves in a closet )  I always check marked down items or clearance items.

Fruits and vegetables can be frozen or made into a special meal. I have gotten brown produce bags of apples, tomatoes, pears, etc. for 99cents at my local grocery.  The trick is in using these items right away.  I make soup or salsa with the tomatoes, applesauce or crisp, anything you want-your imagination is all you need.  When times get tough the clothes on the clearance racks that have been marked down to three dollars don't look too bad.  I also LOVE yard sales and auctions in my area.  Lots of gently used items can be found for a quarter each. The hunt makes it fun and the "bargains" are what keeps me going back.  One person's junk is someone else's treasure.  Need some money-clean out your own junk and sell it.  Lastly, learn how to say no to your own urge to buy stuff you really don't need.  This is the hardest thing I do. I make a list and then start eliminating nonessentials-sometimes crossing off everything.  A week later I don't even remember what was so important about what I thought I needed. There is nothing wrong in living frugally.  We have lived with excesses for so long we think that we can't do without.  We are so wrong. We do what we have to survive!