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Glamour's Women of the Year
UD vs. Northern Kentucky
Magic visits with area students
Readers give tips for saving money
> What are your best tips for saving cash?
> More from our continuing series on the economy
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Between the ailing economy, gas prices rising seemingly by the minute and the increasing cost of groceries, who couldn't use some extra cash?
With some planning and advice from others in the Miami Valley, you could save money.
Groceries
The average American family spends $8,513 a year on groceries, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, so that's a good place to start.
Kettering resident Jennifer Weaver, 53, saves money on groceries by shopping in the marked down bins at grocery stores. For instance, Weaver found steak that was originally marked at $19.99 at Meijer's being sold for $11.99 as it neared – but didn't reach – expiration.
She also shops at various stores at specific times.
"Sunday morning is the best time to pick up meat at discounted prices at Kroger," Weaver said.
Sheri Heath, 34, of Trotwood says to arm yourself with a shopping list and a calculator every time you step out to go shopping to avoid impulse buying.
"I just get what I need, then I get out," Heath said.
Harold Hagwood, of Dayton, has a philosophical plan. He says it is important to learn to make sacrifices and to distinguish between wants and needs when out shopping.
"Remember that stores have employed MBAs and they pay them a lot of money to figure out what makes you tick," said Hagwood, 61. "But the big problem is that we want what we want."
Travel
Thirty-seven year old Pamela Cone and her daughter Joy Reed, 20, of Huber Heights save money by making a list of all the places they need to drive to on a given day. Then they travel to those places together.
"We try to do as much as possible on one trip," Cone said.
Cone also said that she saves money by ensuring she has breakfast at home and by packing her own lunch.
"I end up saving $7 to $10 a day on food," Cone said.
Free stuff
The best way to save money is to not spend it in the first place.
"We use free things like (the fountain at The Greene) rather than paying for a pool," said Anita Morgan, of Huber Heights. "That probably saves $10-15 a week."
Kristie McKierman, of Beavercreek, and family also frequent the fountains instead of paying for the fee to a pool.
"We do lots of free activities. We also join the reading programs at our Beavercreek library and the kids check out books and DVDs for free," McKierman said.
It might be risky,
but it adds up
Rebecca Miller, of Dayton, found a way to save $1,200 in a year.
"I upped the deductibles on my car and mortgage insurance and changed the premiums so that we pay less each month," Miller said.
Comments
By Tonya
July 28, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
1 - Use grocery store coupons. Get the Sunday paper and clip coupons. 2 - Bundle phone, cable, Internet with 1 oompany. Otherwise, I’d be paying about $50 a piece for each service. And yes, 911 does work and can be traced with digital phone. 3 - Take your lunch to work. Eating out should be a treat not a norm. 4 - Budget entertainment/going out $ each month. Maybe take out $150 and don’t go over that.
By Carey Sherrie
July 28, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
I have been saving money for years on everything from cereal, diapers, tissues, razors, cleaning needs to kids suff and home needs by planning my needs over the next 6 months and using bargain hunting websites like Unodeals.com to stock up as soon as a deal appears.
By Jammin
July 28, 2008 5:09 AM | Link to this
Try to avoid using ATM’s and use the debit machines at grocery stores that will give you cash over the amount of purchase-Kroger U-scans will give you up to $50.00. I figure to save at least 100.00 in ATM fees a year this way.
By SwissMiss
July 27, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
I alternate my grocery shopping between Kroger and Trader Joe’s. I love TJ’s because the smaller selection means I usually come out with less food, reducing a weekly bill of $90 (for two people) to under $65. While things like milk and meat are more expensive there, the low prices on produce balance out my bill. I bought marked-down meat at Kroger once, but it turned out tough and flavorless, so I’ll splurge if I want steak. (I could go without, but not hubby!)