Whats your best money saving tip??

[TigersGal]

Hi Braggers..

I am wondernig what is your best money saving tip.. Is it shop with coupons, rewards card.. you name it i'm curious...

Thanks
Yolanda

[harbie]

Don't buy it just cause it's on sale or you have a coupon for it

[nancyrose]

Good question! I'll be watching this thread.

For me - - I watch the flyers like....by about Wednesday, I'm so anxious to see what the sales are, I'm jittery! LOL! I circle what I want with a big black sharpie marker, so I can find it again when I go to price match at Zellers so I can get an additional 10% off with my SPC card.

I keep my eyes peeled for those pink stickers at RCSS - - I got yogurt this morning that had pink stickers on it, but the Best Before date isn't until Hallowe'en. Somebody screwed up there! It's even better when you have coupons to go with those products.

I also check for reduced bakery and meat at the grocery stores. These items can go directly into the freezer, and the savings are substantial.

For items like clothing, and household items - I shop at thrift stores and garage sales. I often find items with tags still attached, and have enough sewing skill to 're-make' skirts that are a little long, or shirts that would look better with short sleeves. Once upon a time, I wouldn't have been caught dead in a thrift store, but now I wouldn't live any other way. I dress fashionably (got two gorgeous pairs of square toed pumps this week, and a beautiful blouse) for a fraction of retail. I flash my student card (I'm a university student) on Wednesdays at Value Village and get 20% off.

[$avvy$hopper]

What works for me is this:

1) Diligently scan all flyers; price compare
2) Make a list of only what you will NEED AND USE!
3) match all coupons to list; note stores with extra bonus/rewards cards et al
4) STICK TO THE LIST! it's easy to get there and pick up a bunch of stuff not on the list...then you've spent all you've "saved".

i'll admit i have picked up a few extras along the way but I try to keep that to a minimum. it takes time to go through all the flyers but with pricematching opportunities coupled with coupons, SPC cards et al...it works out in the end.

oh, last thing..shop on a full stomach! LOL!!! looking forward to seeing what others post...love learning from these posts...thanks for starting this thread OP!

[amandamck]

Always read the deals section of SC, someone will always find something one of us has missed. It's an awesome sharing of information......like a few weeks ago the post of the greenworks dishsoap... SWEET would never have found that on my own.

[seapotato]

watch for sales, use coupons on top of sales and join loyalty reward programs!!

[redfox]

just thought i would add getting rainchecks for items not in stock.

[operabob]

Seatater,

I'm with you my fellow AirMiles collector!

[MrsSunshine]

SC' first
scanning flyers for deals.. with or without coupons
reduced racks! both bread/ food
garage sales/rummage sales
coupons

[DaveP]

Flyers are the big thing for me, and when something is on at a great price then I stock up. I also collect AirMiles and know the value of them. Sometimes enough AirMiles are being given away on a discounted item to make it free or better. I also use my time online wisely, by coming here to smartcanucks where the community will let you know about every great deal out there. I also make a few dollars online by joining swagbucks and iRazoo. The two amount to about 40 or 50 dollars a month for me, more for others. Doesn't sound like much but its $600 a year. That's great mad money.

But yeah, the biggest moneysaver is to just check out the many deals that are posted by the great people at this site. I've saved sooo much money since joining up here.

[carlyincanada]

Great tips!

I read all the deals/brags that everyone posts & the flyers every week...& make a list of what I need & stock up on the freebies like the GreenWorks dishsoap & Olay bw when you can get it for FREE or cheap!

I always print off CouponLady's list of coupons to go with flyers & highlight the specials...& carry it with me

Also like others, I'm a SDM Optimum points addict! lol & buy groceries that are on sale & earn points & products that I use that have bonus points! Tell A Friend Events & 20x points also are great for racking up points! Then the big payoff is bonus redemption days! Since joining SC I've redeemed for $200 atleast 7 or 8 times.lol lost count! for FREE stuff!

Lastly, doing the promos such as Stouffers pins, Kelloggos $5 gas card & MIR's really help too!

& my NO. #1 rule....Don't pay full price for anything! lol

[Rvbob]

SC daily
Price match with Walmart
Use coupons on the above items purchased
ONly buy what you are going to use
Pink Stickers at RCSS !!!! a true must
Get rid of the second car - done!!!!
Take the bus - it's fun and relax
Cook and thaw wisely - do not throw out!
Recycle those plastic bags for household garbage
Tie the bags together - instead of buying Green Garbage bags
Beat your service industries up - get a cheaper rate(s)

Friday night - Celebrate the week is over with a good bottle of wine
Shopping is hard work

[DaveP]

Did anyone mention Value Village yet?

7 kids at home, I love that place - for them and me and my wife.

[lilo0003]

Awesome post. I keep a note pad by my PC & write down the awesome deal another SCer has pointed out so I can add to my shopping list. I also watch for couponladys Thursday post for what coupon goes with what sale, this has saved me so much time. Thanks couponlady

[corbinx]

The things that excite me most are free product coupons, using coupons on sale items to get things for free or almost free, and stacking at London Drugs! I also love garage sales, local take it or leave it sales, price matching, free samples, and clearance bins. So many ways to save money, still haven't decided if it's a part-time job, hobby, or game to me!