Ways to save money

[koala]

I have a rule...

Don't live beyond your means.

Anyway, I am an avid coupon clipper. I take my little folder everywhere with me. When something goes on sale, I buy it then using my coupons. Many times, I end up paying 1/3 the price.
I shop according to what is on sale, and not what I need. I stock up at that time.
Vegetable of the week will be whatever is one sale.
Another saver, I checked the reduced produce. Sometimes what is reduced looks better than what is on the shelf.

[MOMTODYLAN]

In response to the taking more stuff than you need at a restaurant.

You may as well take home what you take b/c if it's left on the table (even BBQ sauce, ketchup etc -- unopened)...they most likely will throw it out. I worked at McD's and we weren't allowed to return stuff from tables.

[ergo2]

I have a rule...

Don't live beyond your means.

Anyway, I am an avid coupon clipper. I take my little folder everywhere with me. When something goes on sale, I buy it then using my coupons. Many times, I end up paying 1/3 the price.
I shop according to what is on sale, and not what I need. I stock up at that time.
Vegetable of the week will be whatever is one sale.
Another saver, I checked the reduced produce. Sometimes what is reduced looks better than what is on the shelf.

thats pretty much what i do except i'm just starting with coupons , so it will be a while before i save a huge amout.

one other saving method for me is that i grow my own herbs and some carrots(coutesy of Hellmans).

[Mia001]

Hi,
it's not that long..you just need to keep your eyes wide open for
good deals in flyers and coupons....coupons...coupons ...coming from save.ca, store beside the product itself, from boxes of other products, from the computer....etc..

the other day, i got 4 bags of Europa's best frozen fruits for ,94$ each/ when they are 5.99 to 6.19 at regular price

they where in special at 4,49 and had 4 coupons 2$ each (from Muslix cereals)
and one of the bags was not scanned at the right price so ..i got it for free
so...
4,49$ x 4 =17.96$ less coupons 2$ x 4 =8$ and the refund 6,19$ = 3,77 / 4 = ,94$
each
pretty good deal ....

[Mia001]

also....always check your grocery bill, it's not rare that there are scanning error
on it and depending of the price it may be free for you...we often got bags apples,
peach, pears...etc for free..
i got many plants of flowers free
hubby got things worth 40$ for 5$.....
you also ca save with all the samples you can order...and sometimes they send coupons with samples...

[ellymae68]

Wrap your hot water heater.

[WAKEFORSOUL]

Borrowed this from another site!! Think it is a good guide to follow


Know your prices

It is impossible to know a good deal, if you do not know off hand what is a good price for that product is. Along the same lines learn to know what a good price per unit/lb/grams/unit are of your most used products. Many companies use different formats and sizes to confuse consumers as to what a good deal is, just think about diapers and how they come in Jumbo, Meg, Super Mega, Big Box and Club Box sizes. Or toilet paper in single, double, mega, ultra rolls. Without calculating the per unit cost of the different formats it is nearly impossible to tell what is the best deal. Larger product formats do not guarantee a discount, so pay attention!


Not all Sales Are Created Equal

The best sales are generally on the outside covers of the flyer, but the sale prices are not necessarily great prices. This is also why it important to know your prices. The advertised item you wanted, is not in stock? Do not worry, ask if you can get a raincheck, it is a great way to extend the sale and get what you want at a good price!

Discount Grocers

Most grocery store chains have an associated discount grocer and they are about 30% cheaper, so think about shopping at No Frills (Loblaws), Price Chopper (Sobeys/IGA) or Food Basics (Dominion/A&P, Ultra, The Barn). Discount grocers carry the best selling prepackaged goods and are also good for in season produce, and fresh lesser cut of meat (ie Chicken thighs). Bring your own bags and save $0.05 per bag (or use boxes). The lighting may not be as bright or the aisles as pretty, and they probably do not have a deli but the food comes from the same warehouse as the pricier counterparts, but is significantly cheaper!

Use coupons

Coupons are like real tax free money to you! If you clip or collect coupons, try putting them in an organized small folder you can keep in the car and take in to the store with you so that you can take them shopping and make use of the discount, instead of wishing you remembered them! Not sure how to collect or find coupons? Click Here


Reduced Produce & Meats

Take a glance at the reduced produce & meats. If you are planning on eating the fruit or vegetables the day you purchase sometimes it is even better because it is ripe and ready to eat! Reduced fruit is also great for baking, bruised apples or over ripe bananas are easy to bake with. Meat is often marked down the day before it is best before. Eat it the night you buy it or freeze it right away to eat later.


Clearance/Discontinued Product

Look for bins, tables or labels indicating a product is on clearance. Make sure to look for expiry dates, but most products are still good, it is just that the store will no longer be carrying that product or the labels are changing or a promotion on the package may be nearly over (or over), or it is nearing it's expiry but the savings can be substantial


Reward Programs

Do not forget to use reward programs too, like Airmiles & Baby Bonus Points at Dominion/A&P/Ultra/The Barn, or President Choice Rewards at Loblaws/No Frills/Superstore. You can also put your groceries on any reward credit card to get free stuff from the purchases you need to make anyways (but make sure you pay the balance, the rewards are not worth paying interest for!)

Scanning Code of Practice

The Scanning Code of Practice is a voluntary code that most major retailers in Canada follow, it promises accurate prices at the checkout scanner. The policy says "If the scanned price of a non-price ticketed item is higher than the shelf price or any other displayed price, the customer is entitled to receive the item free, up to a $10 maximum. When the item has a price tagged, the lowest price applies. When identical items are incorrectly priced, the second one will be sold at the correct price." So, if the item scans in at the wrong price at a participating retailer, you will get it for free or $10 off if the item is more than $10. You may have to ask for the retailer for this but if they are a participant they will have to give you the item for free or $10, no questions asked after you have pointed out the error and mentioned this code.

Most participating stores will have a sticker on the entrance doors and another sticker at the checkout counter.

For more information:
http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/i...emID=1262&lg=e

For a list of participating retailers:
http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/P...icipants_e.pdf


Guarantees

Many of the stores and companies have guarantees, (.e. Price Guarantees, Freshness Guarantees, We Have It or It's Free Guarantees, Quality Guarantees) know them and use them. The guarantees are there to give customers a sense of trust in the price, freshness, stock availability or quality. If your store has a guarantee and you find something that qualifies - use the guarantee. Not only will you be saving money but you'll be making a difference for other customers, because they try to refictfy the situation to make good on the guarantee. Many products themselves have quality guarantees, if the product is not up to your liking or something is wrong, call and tell the company or bring it back to the store for a refund. .

Mail-In Rebates and Try-Me Free Offers

New products will sometimes have mail-in rebate incentives or Try Me Free Offers. Look for rebates in your coupon flyers, as well as around the neck of new products. You will find Try Me Free Rebates most often on Cleaning Supplies, but you will also find them on the occasional food product. Look on the Rebate Form for details. (i.e. Does it include taxes and mailing costs, how many per household, as well as the dates within the products must be purchased and when the forms must be sent)


Combine deals

You can use coupons along with sales to get even better deals. For example you can use two coupons when products are on sale for Buy One Get One Free. So imagine salsa on sale, buy one get one free or 2/$2.99 and you have $1 coupons when you buy one. You will get 2 salsas for $0.99! You are purchasing two Salsas so you can use two coupons. You can also combine sales with other good sales, reward programs and other deals and promotions. Please read the coupon for details of use, but most only limit the number of coupons you can use per purchase, which means one coupon per item.

[elliott_gyal]

thanks wakeforsoul@!

[sarabell]

If you’re living in Ontario and want to reduce your energy bills and go green at home, I found a new widget that the Ontario government made. They're also giving rebates for green purchases! Here’s the link: yoozur.com/additup
To get to the rebates/rewards click on Add It Up.

[Meenapapu]

Hey friends, I am rather newbie and dont' know how to use the milk bag? Seem that it is cost-saving but dont know how to store, unfreeze, etc. with that. Can anyone help me with this tip? Thanks a bunch!

Storing : Use milk pitcher's (just like jugs /w handles...u will find them around where u buy milk...I have seen them in No Frills and Food Basics too).....squeeze the bottom a little of the bag and slide it into the milk jug. Nip the tip ( small) with a scisor and use as a jug to pour milk. U got to be care full...once u get the hang of it ..it will be easy.

unfreezing: Follow what matrix82 said.

[Tiki]

I don't generally stick to one brand, which ever is cheapest. I don't use any cleaning products other then vinegar, tea tree oil and baking soda. I use SCOP a lot. I never ever buy clothing new, if its new I've sewn it (mostly dresses and skirts, they work out to be cheapest. I use coupons obviously and stock up when its on sale. I shop only at the Mennonite Central Committee Thrift shops, they often have basket sales. everything you can fit in a basket for 6$ I garage sale and have prefected the art of bargaining... I will bargain anywhere, whats the worst they can do? Say no?

[cecita]

Thanks Wakeforsoul for all the tips! I didn't know you could use 2 coupons on BOGO. As you are not paying for the second item, I didn't know a coupon would apply on that second item! I'll keep it in mid!

[myguppy]

Whoa!! I don't think Blistex, SavingKarina and Elliot Gyal meant that they would take fistfuls of napkins, etc. and load up their kitchens for a year. When I go out to eat especially with my 2 kids, I do grab extra napkins because they almost always make a mess. And if we don't use the extra napkins, I take them with me - like 3 napkins, not 100. People wouldn't use clean napkins that are left on tables anyways. I know I don't. I think you may have misunderstood those 3 smartcanucks.

ITA!!!
If you DONT bring those extra napkins home, they'll get thrown out anyways... so would you rather have them in the trash, or used first???!

[Skippy]

Especially Banks,they often have free eats and other giveaways!

I know too that TD and RBC always have free coffee,some branches better than others!

Note this is something I rarely do,so please don't diss me!

[Littlemoe0]

We make meals that will do for two or three different meals. Make a roast, have hot beef the next day, then freeze the leftovers and pull out to make stew. Same as chicken or turkey. Boil the carcas up, add a little extra slavor and you end up with alot of extra meat from the bird.
Homemade salsa and jams. Neighbour had extra tomatoes and peppers, so made our own for a fraction of the cost.
Carpool if possible, save alot on fuel and the enviroment.
Avoid using credit cards, and your overdraft, pay big time on those.
Buy previous viewed DVD's at a fraction of the cost.
Children's clothes swap with friends and neighbours.
Your recycle bin and old clothing for craft projects for your children
Plastic windows in winter, or plant bushes close to your home, helps with the wind.
Buy generic, but check the flyers for your favorites when they go on sale, stock up.
Take a coffee with you to work instead of drive thru coffe chains, adds up to $7.50 a week, times 50 weeks, $375.00, plus the extra gas wasted in the lineups.
Keep your vehicle in check, it may seem to cost a bit, but not as bad as a new vehicle.
Many local organizations have breakfasts where the children eat free, and you get a break from cooking.
Pump your own gas.
Get gas at places that offer something, as long as it's not a higher price. EG. Canadian Tire, No Frills, Pioneer.
If travelling, have a late breakfast, then a earlier supper. Or stop at the local grocery store and buy the Chicken to go meals, much cheaper than taking a family of 4 out to a restaraunt. Also while there, pick up bread and PB or lunch meat, put in a cooler with cold drinks and grab the ice from the hotel to refill your small cooler.
Water your plants and garden with rain water instead of your local meter running up the bill.
When going shopping, make a list and stick to it. Unless something is too good to pass up.
Keep a storage trunk handy and when out shopping for the kids, put the odd toy or book or clothing in when it's on sale, then Chrismas and Birthdays are not that big of an exspense at one time.
Got some more, but the brain is starting to go on me. Hope some of these help out.