Coupons are often touted as great money savers and the greatest way to save on groceries, household supplies, even clothing and home construction. Need some eyeglasses? There is certain to be a coupon for it. Whatever your needs, you can find a coupon for some supplier.

The way that coupons are touted by some finance and budget advisors, you would spend half of your Saturday scouring the internet and newspapers looking for the best deals and clipping coupons. This is a waste of your time! How much will you really save if you clip all of the coupons that you find for items you like or need?

Firstly, look at what the deals are that each coupon shows. Now ask yourself if you really need the items on the coupon. If the answer is “no” then you aren’t saving anything, since you are either wasting money on something you don’t need (so you are throwing money away), or you have just wasted your time with the coupon. Don’t clip it or give it a second glance. Coupons are really just advertisements that are used in order to get new sales or promote customer returns and loyalty. And they are effective advertising!

The key with coupons is to know ahead of time what you need and stick with that, only. Most people will use coupons for groceries, as these are the most common coupons that we see. And they are the easiest to find. They lure you from grocery store or brand to another. And sometimes they include special offers that entice a person to buy more than what would normally be needed or used. For example, the grocery store that I shop at often has a special marked down price on items if they are bought in certain quantities, such as $1.00 each if bought in groups of 3; $1.28 for a single item. If you don’t need 3 of the items, why would you buy 3? You’ve just spent $1.72 on something that you didn’t need, and are likely to throw at least one of those three away. This means that you would have spent $1.50 each for the two that you did use. So where are the savings? Of course if you were going to buy the 3 items in the first place, then you will save.

This same grocery store has a large bulletin board posted directly inside the entrance of the building filled with coupons that you can tear off and use for the trip you are going on that day. This is very clever of them, as all of these items are then advertised and the coupons often entice people to buy items that they wouldn’t otherwise. But you won’t fall for that, will you?

The point is to not use coupons except for items that you would already buy!

In order to do that you have to have certain strategies whenever you go shopping or even looking for coupons. The first thing is to make a list of what you need. Complete the list before you look for coupons. Then when you look for coupons seek only those items that are on your list! It doesn’t matter if you see a great deal on something that isn’t on your list that you might like. It isn’t on the list, so you don’t need it. Don’t buy it! Don’t even think about buying it.

Advertisers love coupons and special offers, because these things really do get people to buy things that they don’t need. Take a look around your house and the homes of your friends. Guaranteed that you will see many things there that are never used – probably aren’t even thought of – and serve no purpose. But they looked cool at the time, maybe they were a fad, the advertising for them was good, and they weren’t expensive. And that’s why they were bought. And how much money over the months and years is wasted on buying things that aren’t needed? Do you really want to keep following that pattern?

Coupons and special offers are useful. They allow you to try new brands that you wouldn’t normally buy. [We all already know about brand names being overpriced.] This really won’t make a difference to your pallet, but it can make a difference to your budget, if the special offer or coupon makes the brand name cheaper than what you normally buy. And that is always a good thing!

Remember, there are three steps that must be followed:

1. Make a list
2. Find any coupons that are on that list only.
3. Cut your cost by using the coupons on items you would already buy.

People spend money on the most amazing things! Items that add no use or value to life, yet they will waste precious dollars on them, when those dollars could be used for more precious and lasting items, things that actually contribute to their lives. Here is my list of several of these things.

1. Knick knacks. These are the decorative items that are cheap, put onto shelves and walls for decoration, but have little true aesthetic value, and are often thrown away or junked after a couple of years, because you just get more knick-knacks to take their place. A complete waste of time and money. Whoever invented this crap was a genius, because he parted people from their good money and sold them something worthless. Don’t buy these!
2. Rice cookers. Rice cooks fine in a pot or even in the microwave (if you know how, so I’ve heard. I don’t know how.). Why buy a special pot just to cook one thing? Slow cookers are not to be confused with rice cookers. While similar, they aren’t exactly the same. And a slow cooker can be used for rice as well as many other foods!
3. Flower bouquets. I know this on is contentious. What person doesn’t like to receive flowers as a gift, simply because it shows that someone really cares? But aren’t there better things that someone can give? I think it’s a waste of time to buy something that is only going to get thrown away a few days later, because it dies. If I buy someone flowers, I’d rather buy a potted one, because at least that has a chance of lasting a while!
4. Happy Meal Toys. Yes, the kids love these. But they really are junk. They’re not meant to last, and the kids end up losing them or breaking them in a week or two. They don’t last long at all, and kids tend to have enough toys anyhow. Just don’t bother with this crap. Actually, I think Happy Meals are a waste of money, too. If you must eat at McDonald’s have a look at the bargain menu. You can get more from that, and it’ll cost less. I admit that I will occasionally take my kids there for a treat. And even I will buy 2 of the bargain chicken sandwiches, which fills me right up and costs less than one regular burger or chicken sandwich.
5. Directory Assistance. Bet you didn’t expect to see that one here! Directory assistance costs (where I am) 75 cents just for one look up. I get a phone book for free. And when I’m out somewhere and need a number, there is usually a phone book within a very short distance of where I am. And if I have a smart phone I can probably look up the number for free on the internet. Unless I’m making over $45 per hour after taxes, it’s worth my time to spend the extra minute looking the number up myself. After all, that’s how much I’m actually paying for the service!
6. Taxi Cabs. Well, this isn’t always the case. But a lot of people use these for simple trips when it would be more economical to use other modes of transportation. Taxis should only be used when they are the most practical and economical mode of transportation under the circumstances. A good time to use them is when you know you are going to a party and will be imbibing more than makes it safe to drive. That way you have the safety of the taxi to get you home alive and well. Any other time is a waste of money, unless it truly is an emergency that you need to get somewhere fast! And the only thing I can think of then is if your job is on the line.
7. Magazine subscriptions. Another thing that people will spend money on and not really use. Most of these just languish in a pile and eventually get thrown out. Even newspaper subscriptions are rarely utilised by most people. We just don’t have the time to read them any more. And when we do, they are available on the internet for less (even a subscription to your favourite online magazine usually costs less than the paper version). Not only is such a subscription a waste of money, it’s a waste of the environment. Go digital. [The only magazines I get are kids magazines, Chickadee and Owl, because my kids actually read them and enjoy them.]
8. Cable TV. I know, I know…. It’s cheaper than going out to the movies and renting videos. This one is controversial, as it’s something that a lot of people really do use for entertainment. I admit that I have it, but only because of my roommate. He’s an addict, and it was agreed as part of his rent. There are so many other things that you can do with your time, things that are more productive, fun, healthy, entertaining, and overall better for you. The only reason I own a TV is to watch movies. And those I borrow from friends, library, and relatives. And occasionally watch on TV. Cable is almost completely unnecessary.
9. Bargain DVDs. Well, not always. But unless you’re going to watch it repeatedly, there really isn’t any point in buying a DVD in the first place! I’ll buy these for the kids, because I know they’ll watch them over and over again. But do I really need to buy some cool movie in order to watch it? Better to wait until it’s out on TV. And even then I’m likely to have watched it at a friend’s place first. Or my roommate will rent it. Then I’ll borrow it from him. Or the library will get a copy. Yes, I like the library – free movies, books and music! (Although I rarely borrow music from the library – I’m happy with the radio for the most part. We have some great local stations, and I listen through the internet, too).
10. Candy. Okay, a lot of people might hate me for saying this. Most candy is nothing but sugar. It has no nutritional value whatsoever. It’s empty calories and is just plain bad for you! If you’re hungry, eat something useful. The occasional bit of chocolate, pudding, cake, pie or ice cream won’t hurt, but eating foods that are almost pure sugar is just a waste of money and hurts you more than anything else. Don’t do it!

I know that there are a lot of things that I could add to this list. How about you? What are a few things that you think are a complete waste of money? What would you add to the list? Do you agree or disagree with what I say above?

Saving money is more than just buying the item that has a lower sticker price. There are other costs involved that people don’t always examine.  How much does it cost to go to a certain store, versus going to the one closer? What about your time – what’s that worth? These things, and more, need to be taken into account when you’re comparing items. Here are a few examples…

Electric versus Disposable Razors
Yes, disposable razors are a lot cheaper. This saves instantly on cash flow, which may be worth it for that alone. But consider the long term advantages, too. Shaving with an electric razor costs very little in power, so little that it is likely more expensive on water alone to shave with a disposable. But we’ll ignore that, since we can’t measure it. A good electric razor will cost about $160. Some say they only last three years, but I’ve never had one last less than 5 years. So, 160/5=32. That’s about $32 per year for a really good electric razor. I spent about $25 a year on disposables ( I buy bulk packs that last months). Okay, so I save about $7.00 right there. But I also have to spend more time using the disposable. I don’t use soap or shaving cream/foam, only hot water, so that is no expense. And it takes more time to keep buying the disposable razors.  But I have a fairly thin beard, so the disposable razors last longer with me.  If someone had a thick beard, it would likely be about the same cost per year for either type of shaver. In that sense, it is best to get what saves the most time and is easier on the skin. Therefore for most men the electric is probably the best bet, based on that. And even then, it’s so close that it really doesn’t matter.
Conclusion: pick what you like most.

Making Bulk Foods to Save Money
Some people love the idea of making enough meals in an evening to eat all week. And others hate the idea of eating the same thing five, six or seven days in a row. If you end up going crazy, is it really worth saving a few dollars? Instead, try cooking up a variety of meals in the same evening, with perhaps a similar theme. This will give the variety that is craved, but still save the time (at least a little) and the money (for sure) on buying lunches and so-forth that the bulk cooking session requires.

One thing I do for this is cook up a big pot of pasta and about three different types of meats and vegetables to go along. Then I can make a couple of different casseroles, one or two more easy sauces, and have a few different vegetables on the side. And I have enough meals to get me through the work week, without having to eat the same thing every day. And it really only takes about five or ten minutes extra to add the variety in meals. And my costs are still low, because I use frozen vegetables or have fresh veggies on the side each day. Frozen is cheaper than fresh, but sometimes the fresh are just so good they’re worth it!

Conclusion: making one huge bulk dish isn’t worth it. Mixing it up in one session saves the same $$ and keeps you sane with only a little more time spent.

These are just a couple of examples. I’m sure that there are lots more that people can think of. The idea is to critically examine the tips that people give you and see if those tips work for your lifestyle and are really going to save you money. They may not work for everyone!

So how much should we realistically be spending on food? Well, there is not set amount per person. How can there be? Our diets are so varied that one cannot say what is reasonable. But there are certain strategies that everybody can use to keep the bills low:

• But frozen instead of fresh meat.
  Frozen meats are less expensive, even for the same cuts of meat. This doesn’t mean to buy the fancy breaded and/or stuffed portions. Just buy the meat alone. This can save as much as 50% (sometimes) more on the price of your meats. This includes red meat (beef, pork, lamb) as well as poultry and fish.
• Buy frozen vegetables in larger packages.
  Yes, it’s cheaper to buy frozen peas than fresh or canned. And the frozen ones are better for you than the canned ones. And bigger bags are cheaper by weight. All vegetables work this way; peas were just an example.
• Don’t buy the sugary, colourful cereals.
  Buy bulk cereal or oatmeal (not instant oatmeal). These cereals cost less and tend to be healthier, too. Not only will you end up saving money by purchasing a less costly product,
  you may end up slimming down a bit and feeling better for it. There’s a lucky break!
• Don’t eat out!
  Really! Eating out is very expensive. You can eat the same food at home for at least half off, if not more. I’ve seen meals in a restaurant cost as much as ten times what it costs to make the same thing at home. And the home cooked one is often less fattening and tastes better.
• Don’t buy for convenience.
  This goes for all of your foods! It’s much less expensive to buy a bag of potatoes and cut them up for French fries than it is to buy a bag of frozen, pre-cut fries. And you’ll still have a lot of potatoes left over. This rule holds for most convenience foods and meals. Instead of buying frozen dinners, make a few up a week ahead and freeze them. Then you’ll have ready made meals, already in a package (the dollar stores sell freezable, re-usable containers super cheap – you’ll save lots, even accounting for buying a week’s worth of these containers).

As always, track everything! Not tracking things is a mistake that is so common to make and tends to mess people up all the time! You’ll be amazed at how changing the style and habits of your grocery shopping can chop a lot of dollars off your food budget.

Here’s a nifty little idea that a friend e-mailed me (thanks, Helen her blog is DeeplyFelt). She says that buying prepaid grocery cards really helps with her budget, because the budget is then all in the card. Plus it prevents her from browsing all the aisles in the different grocery stores. This way her family only uses the one store, which helps them to better manage what they are buying by really sticking hard to their list and not diverging from what they have already decided is their budget.

As far as I’m aware every grocery store offers prepaid cards. You can simply buy these at the check out or at the customer service desk. And by purchasing prepaid grocery cards you are also insuring that you won’t spend your grocery money on something else, because you have to spend that card at the grocery store. It’s not good for anything else!

This concept could also work for gas cards. I know I’ve done that. I’ve even used the points from my the gas station’s special little card to purchase these prepaid cards, as well as discount cards. And many grocery stores have similar points programs. It’s kind of like a double bonus, because you use the points to buy the card, then the purchase from the prepaid card also earns you points.

Has anyone else ever tried these strategies? Or something similar?