Table of Contents

Easy Ways to Save on Groceries....................................................................... 4

Cook At Home......................................................................................................... 4
Store Brands vs. National Brands............................................................................ 5
Buy in BulkMaye................................................................................................. !
Make a "lan# Make a $ist......................................................................................... !
%sin& Cou'ons......................................................................................................... (
)inin& *ut............................................................................................................... +
Miscellaneous Grocery Savin& ,i's......................................................................... +
Savin& Money at Home.................................................................................... -.
%tility ills.............................................................................................................. -.
Buy %sed............................................................................................................... -/
Be0are o1 Bud&et Busters..................................................................................... -/
Savin& Money 0it2 3ids................................................................................... -4
Buy %sed Clot2in& 4 ,oys...................................................................................... -4
5entin& vs. Buyin&.................................................................................................. -5
Store Brand 6ormula and )ia'ers.......................................................................... -5
Makin& 7our *0n Bay 6ood................................................................................. -!
Birt2day "arties...................................................................................................... -!
Sim'le Savin&s 'resented y 000.6ru&al6reeiesand)eals.com /
Welcome to Simple Savings: Steps You Can Take to Easily Save
$1000s. My name is Jenetta Penne! an" # am $ust a egula
mom %&o nee"e" to cut "o%n &e 'u"get. (ve t&e past )e%
yeas my )amily &as seen some signi)icant c&anges! inclu"ing a
ma$o &ouse a""ition! t&e loss o) ou )amily 'usiness! an" t&e
a"option o) t%o young gils )om San *iego +oste Cae. ,&en
%e lost ou 'usiness %e )oun" t&at %e %ee not in t&e
com)ota'le place )inancially t&at %e %ante" to 'e- so c&anges
nee"e" to 'e ma"e.. ./* +.ST00 # nee"e" to 'ecome a
po)essional money save.
,e scoue" ou 'u"get an" cut as muc& as %e t&oug&t %e coul" an" t&en a )e% mont&s late
cut even moe. ,&at # )oun" %as t&at money leaves t&e %allet an" 'ank account 1uickly an"
easily. #t is ama2ing t&at even spen"ing $3 a "ay e4ta en"s up costing us $1563 a yea. 7ut
t&e goo" ne%s is # also )oun" t&at it can 'e )aily simple to put t&at money 'ack in you %allet
'y making a )e% simple c&anges t&at you mig&t not even t&ink a'out.
T&is e'ook is going to lay out some o) t&ose c&anges t&at you mig&t %ant to consi"e making
)o you )amily. You %ill ea" a'out some easy %ays #ve )oun" to save money on goceies! at
&ome! an" on you utility 'ills! an" %ays to save money on clot&es an" ot&e items )o you
)amily. C&ange can 'e &a" so # am not suggesting t&at you %ill %ant to "o all o) t&em. 7ut
picking a )e% o) t&ese simple steps can easily &elp you to save t&ousan"s annually.
# &ope you en$oy Simple Savings an" t&at it gives you even moe inspiation to get 8an" stay9
on t&e oa" o) )inancial )ee"om.
:appy Saving!
Jenetta
Sim'le Savin&s 'resented y 000.6ru&al6reeiesand)eals.com 8
Easy Ways to Save on Groceries
Cook At Home
9t s2ouldn:t come as a i& sur'rise t2at 2ome
cooked meals are muc2 less e;'ensive t2an
're'ared# 'rocessed meals. *1ten 2ome
cooked meals are also more nutritious and
taste etter ecause you can control t2e
amount o1 sodium# un0anted 1ats# and your
meals are 're'ared 1res2. Sadly# many 'eo'le
are intimidated y t2e kitc2en or 1eel t2ey are
too usy to cook 1rom scratc2< t2e &ood ne0s is t2at cookin& is easy# and 0it2 a little 'lannin&#
cookin& doesn:t 2ave to take all day.
A 02ole c2icken can e t2e asis 1or a nutritious and ine;'ensive meal t2at is easy 1or even a
e&innin& cook to 're'are. W2ole c2ickens# o1ten sold as roasters or 1ryers# are normally c2ea'#
easy to 're'are# and can e stretc2ed over several meals. 5oastin& c2ickens are ty'ically less
t2an =- 'er 'ound# and 9 2ave even 'icked t2em u' 1or as lo0 as =.5. 'er 'ound in t2e
clearance section. ,2e easiest 0ay to cook a 02ole c2icken is to set t2e oven at 85. de&rees#
and ake 1or a''ro;imately -5 minutes 'er 'ound# or until t2e internal tem'erature is -!5
de&rees. Salt# 'e''er# and &arlic 'o0der are easy seasonin&s# ut as you ecome more
con1ident in cookin&# you 0ill 0ant to e;'lore ot2er o'tions.
>ust sim'li1yin& meals can e an easy 0ay to cut do0n on t2e time and cost o1 1amily dinners.
)on:t 0orry aout makin& dinner a &rand a11air 02en time or money is s2ort. Cut?u' a''les or
ay carrots 0it2 di' are @uick and ine;'ensive sides t2at are also nutritious. Servin& reak1ast
1or dinner is anot2er idea t2at can 2el' you &et dinner on t2e tale @uickly. We eat oatmeal 1or
dinner all t2e time? itAs @uick and c2ea'BB
Anot2er o'tion to save on &roceries is to cut do0n on t2e amount o1 meat you serve 0it2
meals# as meat is &enerally t2e most e;'ensive 'art o1 any &rocery ud&et. Beans and lentils are
incredily c2ea'# 2ealt2y# and rat2er easy to 're'are. Many 'eo'le 02o are used to eatin&
meat 0it2 meals may oCect to re'lacin& a meaty entrDe 0it2 le&umes# so you can use eans to
su''lement t2e meat rat2er t2an re'lace it all to&et2er. Cook 2al1 t2e amount o1 meat 1or
tacos# urritos# or any ot2er meat?ased reci'e# and add eans or lentils to make u' t2e
di11erence. 7ou can also use le1tover 2am to cook a 2earty 'ea sou'# and make enou&2 1or
several meals 1or Cust a cou'le o1 dollars.
Eatin& at 2ome is almost al0ays c2ea'er t2an dinin& out# ut i1 cookin& 1eels like too muc2 to
Sim'le Savin&s 'resented y 000.6ru&al6reeiesand)eals.com 4
take on or i1 you are 'articularly usy durin& t2e 0eek# consider 'urc2asin& 're?made meals.
,2ere are a 1e0 o'tions 02en it comes to 're?made mealsE 6irst are t2e 1roFen entrees availale
in t2e 1reeFer section. Some you sim'ly 'o' in t2e oven 02ile ot2ers re@uire you to e a it
more 2ands on. ,2e cookin& time on 1roFen dinners vary 0idely# so e sure you &lance at t2e
directions 'rior to cookin&. 91 your 1avorite &rocery store 2as a deli# it is likely t2ey sell ready to
serve meals t2ere. 6rom rotisserie c2icken to lasa&na# many delis carry a lar&e variety o1 entrees
and sides t2at are ready to eat almost immediately. S2o''in& at your local 2ealt2 1ood store
may 2el' ensure 2ealt2ier o'tions 0it2 less 1at and salt# and you can c2eck to see i1 any o1 t2ese
stores o11er mark do0ns on ready to serve 1oods< most 0ill 1reeFe 0ell so you can stock u' 02en
t2e 'rices are lo0.
Some 'eo'le try to cut do0n on t2eir &rocery ills o't to ake t2eir o0n read# 02ic2 is
c2ea'er and 1res2er t2an store?ou&2t read< 2o0ever# most read reci'es are time
consumin&# and it can e di11icult to master read akin&. Buyin& day?old read is a &reat 0ay to
save almost 5.G on loaves o1 read and ot2er akery items 0it2out 2avin& to use cou'ons.
Bread 1reeFes very 0ell# and you can t2a0 02at you:ll need 1or a day or t0o.
Store Brands vs. National Brands
*ver t2e last 1e0 years t2ere 2as een a maCor 'us2 to alert consumers t2at store rands are
every it as &ood as national rands# ut are o1ten 'riced consideraly less. 6or t2e most 'art
t2is is true# and uyin& store rands 02enever 'ossile 0ill 2el' reduce your &rocery ills. Some
store rands# es'ecially 'ersonal 2y&iene 'roducts and cereals# can e as muc2 as 5.G less t2an
many national rands. Ho0ever# i1 you elieve store rands are always c2ea'er# take a second
to doule c2eck t2ere isn:t a di11erent rand on sale# or 0it2 a cou'on is c2ea'er t2an t2e store
rand.
Buy in Bulkaybe
*ne o1 t2e most common 'ieces o1
advice &iven to 1amilies 02o are
lookin& to cut do0n t2eir &rocery ills
is to uy in ulk. But i1 you aren:t ale
to use t2e entire 'roduct and 2ave to
t2ro0 some a0ay# it may actually e
more e;'ensive to uy in ulk t2an
'urc2asin& Cust 02at you need. 6or
e;am'le# a &allon o1 milk is &enerally
c2ea'er t2an a 2al1 &allon o1 milk<
2o0ever# i1 at least 2al1 t2e &allon
s'oils and you must t2ro0 it a0ay t2en t2ere are no savin&s y uyin& an entire &allon.
Sim'le Savin&s 'resented y 000.6ru&al6reeiesand)eals.com 5
$ook oCectively at 02at you use e1ore uyin& in ulk. Non?'eris2ale items and 'a'er &oods
are usually &reat to uy in ulk ecause t2ey 0ill last 1or a lon& time. *1ten H1amily 'acks#I or
lar&e 'acka&es o1 meat are 'riced c2ea'er t2an smaller amounts o1 t2e same cuts o1 meat. 7ou
may not use 1ive 'ounds o1 2amur&er at once# ut you 2ave t0o c2oices to &et t2e discount
0it2out 0asteE Eit2er 'lan multi'le meals around t2at in&redient# or use 02at you need and
1reeFe t2e rest.
Anot2er 'oint to consider 02en uyin& in ulk is t2e 1le;iility in your &rocery ud&et. ,2e cost
'er unit may e less e;'ensive 02en uyin& in ulk# ut t2e overall cost is muc2 &reater
ecause you are &ettin& more. 91 you ud&et =-.. eac2 0eek 1or &roceries and 'a'er 'roducts#
you can easily s'end at least 2al1 o1 your ud&et on ulk items. 91 you can a11ord to s'end more
on t2e 0eeks t2at you stock u' on ulk items# and save on t2e 0eeks t2at you 'urc2ase less# it
may 0ork. 6or 1amilies 02o o'erate on a ti&2t ud&et# uyin& in ulk may not e as ene1icial.
9nstead o1 al0ays uyin& in ulk# you can look 1or &rocery stores t2at 0ill doule# or even tri'le
manu1acturer cou'ons t2en stock u' durin& t2ese sales. 91 you 2ave multi'le cou'ons# it is
'ossile to stock u' on sta'le 'antry items and 'a'er &oods 1or muc2 less t2an ty'ical ulk
'rices. *1 course# t2ere are also dra0 acks to t2is met2od as 0ell since not all stores o11er
onus cou'on sales 0it2 any re&ularity.
ake a !lan" ake a #ist
Everyone kno0s t2at im'ulse uys can kill your &rocery
ud&et and aimlessly 0anderin& around t2e &rocery store
tryin& to come u' 0it2 dinner ideas takes 1orever Jand makes
us more 'rone to im'ulse uysK. ,ry to make a meal 'lan 1or
t2e 0eek# or lon&er i1 you:re u' 1or it. %se sale 1lyers 1rom
local &rocery stores to 2el' you 'lan your meals around sales.
Also try to reuse in&redients t2rou&2out t2e 0eek:s menu to
reduce 0asted 1ood. 5ememer# i1 you 2ave to t2ro0 out
s'oiled 1ood# you are essentially t2ro0in& a0ay your 2ard
earned money. A1ter creatin& your menu# make a s2o''in&
list ased on t2e necessary in&redients.
W2ile makin& your s2o''in& list# sort t2rou&2 any cou'ons
and 'ut t2em in a 'rominent s'ot so you rememer to use
t2em. %nless you need a very s'eci1ic item as an in&redient
1or a reci'e# you can kee' your &rocery list va&ue to &et t2e est 'rices. 6or e;am'le# i1 your list
says bananas and apples# ut t2en you &et to t2e store and see oran&es are on sale< t2e est
0ay to create a &rocery list t2at 0ill 2el' you save money is to sim'ly note t2at you need
'roduce# and look 1or t2e est 'rices at t2e store.
Sim'le Savin&s 'resented y 000.6ru&al6reeiesand)eals.com !
Seasonal 'roduce is almost al0ays c2ea'er t2an o11?season 'roduce. E;'ect to 'ay more 1or
erries durin& t2e 0inter mont2s# 02ile citrus is c2ea'. )urin& t2e summer# erries# melons#
and ot2er summer 1ruits are almost al0ays on sale. ,o save t2e most money on &roceries#
'urc2ase in?season 1ruits. Besides ein& less e;'ensive# anot2er ene1it o1 uyin& in?season
1ruits is t2at t2ey 0ill taste 1res2er and etter.
Anot2er 0ay to stretc2 your &rocery ud&et is to use as many le1tovers as 'ossile. Even i1 your
1amily doesn:t like Hle1tovers#I you can make somet2in& a ne0 meal out o1 t2e le1tover 1ood. As
a onus# since everyt2in& is already cooked# you can cut do0n on cookin& time. Sou' is a @uick
and easy 0ay to use a numer o1 le1tovers< c2icken# ee1# 2am# and sausa&es are meats t2at
make a 0onder1ul addition to most sou's. %se rot2 or ullion o1 your c2oice Jetter yet# t2ro0
t2e le1t over ones and meat 1rom t2at c2icken you Cust roasted into t2e crock?'ot 0it2 some
0ater and make your o0n stock 1or 1reeBBK# and add ve&etales# meat# and seasonin& to suit
your taste. 6or t2e est 1lavor# allo0 t2e sou' to simmer 1or at least 8. minutes.
$sin% Cou&ons
9t is so easy to &et 0ra''ed u' into t2e elie1 t2at i1 you use
a cou'on# you must e savin& money< 2o0ever# t2is isn:t
al0ays true. Store rands are 1re@uently still c2ea'er t2an a
national rand 0it2 a cou'on. Some manu1acturer cou'ons
re@uire you to uy a lar&e amount o1 t2e 'roduct in order to
save. Buyin& 1our cans o1 sou' isn:t too ad# ut e1ore
'urc2asin& ten yo&urt cu's# e sure you 0ill e ale to enCoy
it all e1ore t2e yo&urt s'oils. 5ememer# i1 you 2ave to
t2ro0 anyt2in& out# it is 0astin& money.
,ry to only cli' cou'ons 1or items t2at you normally use# or
somet2in& t2at you 2ave een interested in tryin&. Buyin& a
'roduct ecause you 2ave a cou'on# ut 0ould not normally
use is not really savin& money. Avoid ein& rand loyal to &et
t2e est deals 02en usin& cou'ons. Bi& manu1acturers
usually 'ut out cou'ons 1or t2eir 'roducts once a mont2#
02ic2 many not &ive you enou&2 cou'ons to &et a one
mont2:s su''ly< 2o0ever# usin& several di11erent rands o1 toot2'aste means you can save on
every tue you 'urc2ase.
91 you are lucky# a &rocery store in your area 0ill o11er to doule manu1acturer cou'ons 0it2
some re&ularity. As 0it2 usin& cou'ons in &eneral# you 2ave to s2o' care1ully to ensure you are
actually &ettin& a &ood deal. )on:t lindly s2o' elieve everyt2in& 0ill e t2e c2ea'est. 9t is
1airly common to 1ind 'roducts t2at are c2ea'er some02ere else or a less e;'ensive o11?rand.
Sim'le Savin&s 'resented y 000.6ru&al6reeiesand)eals.com (
"asta cou'ons are 'articularly &reat 1or doule cou'on events. S'ecialty 'astas# like t2e 1ier
and calcium enric2ed varieties# 1re@uently 'ut out cou'ons 1or =- o11 one o;< it doesn:t take a
mat2 0iFard to realiFe t2at t2is is =/ o11 a o; 0it2 a douled cou'on. ,2e 'rice o1 one o; o1
t2ese 'astas are &enerally around =/ 02ic2 means you could 2ave a 1ree o; o1 'asta 0it2 Cust
one cou'on. Smart s2o''in& durin& t2ese doule?cou'on events can really 'ay o11B 7ou may e
ale to save et0een 5.?(5G y usin& douled cou'ons.
'inin% (ut
No one 0ants to cook all t2e time#
ut eatin& in restaurants can &et
very 'ricey# es'ecially i1 you 2ave a
1amily to 1eed. 6ind restaurants t2at
o11er discounts 1or eatin& at a certain
time or s'eci1ic days o1 t2e 0eek.
,2ese deals can 2el' save any02ere
et0een -.?5.G o11 your total ill.
*t2er restaurants allo0 c2ildren to
eat 1or 1ree< i1 you 0ill e dinin& out
0it2 little ones# t2is is a &ood idea as
c2ildren:s meals can cost u'0ards o1
=5 a 'late. ,2e Entertainment Book is al0ays a &ood 'urc2ase i1 you are adventurous and
0illin& to try ne0 restaurants in your area. ,2ere are 2undreds o1 uy one &et one 1ree meals to
c2oose 1rom. And i1 you eat out o1ten t2e =/5?45 'urc2ase 1or t2is ook can save many
2undreds o1 dollars 'er year. 9 also like t2at you can 'rint cou'ons 1rom t2em online? t2is not
only means more local savin&s you can also us t2e cou'ons 02en you travel.
91 you are dinin& out on a ud&et# stick 0it2 0ater to drink. So1t drink and ar evera&e 'rices
o1ten 2ave t2e 2i&2est 'ro1it mar&ins 1or restaurants. ,2is translates into muc2 2i&2er 1ood ills
1or customers. A 1amily o1 1our 0ill likely s'end at least =+ more i1 eac2 'erson orders a so1t
drink 0it2 dinner. ,2e cost &oes u' to almost =-. 02en a ti' is added to Cust t2e additional cost
o1 evera&es.
Consider s2arin& a 'late or orderin& smaller 'ortions. Multi'le studies 2ave s2o0n t2at
restaurant 'ortions 2ave &otten out o1 control< t2e 0orst o11enders are 'ortioned to 1eed 8?4
'eo'le# ut are marketed as a sin&le servin&. S'littin& an entrDe or orderin& o11 t2e a''etiFer
menu 0ill 2el' save money 02en dinin& out# and 0ill also e muc2 kinder to your 0aistline. 9
do t2is all t2e time 0it2 my t0o &irls and 0e 2ave 'lenty o1 1ood most o1 t2e time# i1 not order
one e;tra side to round out t2e meal.
Sim'le Savin&s 'resented y 000.6ru&al6reeiesand)eals.com +
iscellaneous Grocery Savin% Ti&s
,2e 1ollo0in& are miscellaneous ti's 1or cuttin& your &rocery ill< 2o0ever# t2ey are it more
time consumin& and re@uire some s'ecialty items. 91 you are really committed to savin& money
and cuttin& do0n your &rocery ills# t2ese may e reasonale o'tions 1or you< 2o0ever# some
'eo'le may 1eel t2ey are 1ar too usy to take on t2ese more intensive money savin& o'tions.
,2ere are many 0ays to save money so individuals s2ouldn:t 1eel t2at t2ey need to im'lement
all o1 t2ese ideas.
Makin& your o0n ay 1ood is a &reat 0ay to save money 02ile 1eedin& your little one
nutritious 1ood. 7ou 0ill need a 1e0 su''lies to &et started# ut it 0ill 'ay 1or itsel1 in t2e 1irst
0eek or t0o. 9t is est to 'urc2ase a steamer asket# immersion lender# and some ice cue
trays. 7ou can s'end on a1ternoon 're'arin& a lar&e variety o1 1oods t2at can e ke't in t2e
1reeFer 1or aout si; mont2s# or make one item at a time more 1re@uently. 91 you don:t 2ave
time 1or t2is maye a 1riend does. Barter 0it2 2er and let 2er kno0 i1 s2e does all t2e
're'aration you 0ill 'ay 1or t2e 1ood and s2e can kee' a 'ortion o1 it 1or 2er 1amily.
91 you 2ave a sunny s'ot in your yard or 'atio# you can easily &ro0 some o1 your o0n 1ood. 91
time is s2ort 1or you# make it a 'roCect 1or t2e kids# it 0ill &et t2em outside and doin& somet2in&
ot2er t2an 0atc2in& ,L. W2ile t2ere are some startu' costs associated 0it2 e&innin&#
&ardenin& can e a lo0 cost alternative to 'urc2asin& 1ood at t2e store. $ettuce# s'inac2# and
many 2ers are 'articularly easy to &ro0# and can even e 'lanted in containers. 91 you 'lan to
2ave a small &arden# t2ere may not e enou&2 le1tovers to 0orry aout cannin& or 1reeFin&<
2o0ever# i1 you 'lant a lar&e &arden you 0ill e ale to 'reserve muc2 o1 t2e 'roduce so it 0ill
last lon& a1ter t2e &ro0in& season.
Even i1 you decide not to &arden# learnin& to 'reserve your o0n 1ood can e a real cost saver.
*nce a&ain# t2ere are minimal startu' costs# ut t2ey are 'rimarily one?time 'urc2ases. A lar&e
cannin& 'ot is not necessary# ut cost around =/. s2ould you 0ant to 'urc2ase one. A case o1
cannin& Cars J-/ CarsK can e 'urc2ased 1or less t2an =-.# makin& eac2 Car around =.+.. ,2e Cars
can e used over and over a&ain 'rovidin& t2ey are in &ood s2a'e. 6or an even lo0er 'rice
c2eck Crai&slist# local yard sales and t2ri1t stores 1or Cars.
By &ro0in& your o0n 'roduce# you can 'reserve your o0n 1ruits and ve&etales 1or ne;t to
not2in& y t2e second year. ,2e savin&s are even 2i&2er i1 you normally 'urc2ase or&anic
'roduce. W2en you are unale to &arden# you can visit a local 1armers: market to select 2i&2?
@uality# 1res2 'roduce t2at is suitale 1or cannin& or 1reeFin&. )urin& 'eak?season mont2s# many
1ruits and ve&etales are less e;'ensive to 'urc2ase at a 1armers: market t2an at a &rocery
store.
Sim'le Savin&s 'resented y 000.6ru&al6reeiesand)eals.com M
Saving Money at :ome
$tility bills
Sometimes you 2ave to s'end a little
money to save money. Consider
u'&radin& old a''liances 1or more
ener&y?e11icient ones. ,2ere are
some incredile ta; credits 1or /.-.
02en you 'urc2ase 2i&2?e11iciency
a''liances and 2ome su''lies# like
0indo0s. 5e'lacin& your old 0as2in&
mac2ine 0it2 an ener&y?e11icient
1ront loadin& 0as2er 0ill 2el' you
save money in several 0ays. ,2e ne0 0as2in& mac2ine uses less electricity and 0ater t2an your
older mac2ine< and i1 it can remove more 0ater 1rom 0as2ed clot2es 'rior to 2eadin& 1or t2e
dryer# you can reduce t2e amount o1 time needed in t2e dryer.
$ook around your 2ome to see i1 you can reduce your utility ills y makin& small c2an&es. ,urn
o11 t2e li&2ts 02en no one is in t2e room# 0as2 loads o1 laundry in cold 0ater# s0itc2
incandescent uls to ener&y?e11icient ones. Even sim'ly un'lu&&in& unused or rarely used
a''liances could save a 1e0 cents? not muc2# ut 02y 'ay 1or 02at you are not usin&N )o you
2ave t2e ,L on Cust 1or ack&round noiseN Consider s0itc2in& on t2e radio instead. Ne0
televisions 'ut out a &reat amount o1 2eat and take a lot o1 ener&y to run. *t2er o'tionsE ,urn
o11 0ater 02en rus2in& your teet2 or rinsin& dis2es# and run t2e dis20ater only 02en it:s 1ull.
Make sure your a''liances are runnin& at t2eir est and 0ill last 1or many years to come y
'er1ormin& routine maintenance. ,2is 0ill 2el' a''liances run e11iciently and reduce t2e
amount o1 ener&y needed to o'erate. 9t 0ill also 2el' to kee' t2e a''liances in 'ro'er 0orkin&
order and 2el' reduce costly re'air ills. 6or e;am'le# c2an&in& t2e air 1ilter on your 1urnace 0ill
mean your 1urnace does not 2ave to 0ork as 2ard to 2eat your 2ome. And as an additional
onus t2ere is less dust and airorne aller&ens 0ill e lo0n t2rou&2 your 2ome y re&ularly
c2an&in& t2e 1ilter.
Alt2ou&2 t2is ne;t a''roac2 may not 0ork 1or everyone# many 'eo'le can ene1it y lookin& at
t2eir e;istin& service 'lans to see i1 t2ey can lo0er t2eir mont2ly ills y reducin& or s0itc2in&
'lans. Cell '2one 'lans can &et e;'ensive @uickly as you add more and more service o'tions like
internet and te;tin&. Be realistic on 2o0 muc2 you use t2ese services# and 02et2er or not you
could live 0it2out t2em. *n t2e ot2er 2and# i1 you mont2ly services do not include enou&2
Sim'le Savin&s 'resented y 000.6ru&al6reeiesand)eals.com -.
usa&e 1or t2e amount you currently use# consider u'&radin& your 'lan to avoid 'ayin& a lot o1
e;tra 1ees. 9 love also t2e idea o1 considerin& i1 your older c2ild 2as a cell '2one t2at t2ey 'ay
1or t2e te;tin& 'ortion o1 t2e ill? es'ecially i1 t2is is a 1eature you 'ersonally 0ould not use Jor
very o1tenK.
"2one# internet# and ,L services can o1ten e comined i1 you c2oose to &o 0it2 one 'rovider
1or all t2ree. Cominin& services usually comes 0it2 a 1airly si&ni1icant discount 02en com'ared
to 'urc2asin& t2ese ala carte. Ho0ever# make sure you evaluate 2o0 muc2 you actually use
t2ese services. ,o really save money# consider do0n&radin& and you:ll e sur'rised 2o0 little
you miss all t2ose e;tra c2annels or minutes. We recently do0n&raded our landline to t2e
minimum 'lan and don:t miss it at all.
%nlimited lon& distance 'lans 1or land?line '2ones seems like it 0ould save everyone money<
2o0ever# i1 you make less t2an 1our 2ours 0ort2 o1 lon& distance '2one calls Jde'endin& on
your s'eci1ic 'lanK# it may e etter to 'ay 'er minute 1or t2ese calls. Also# 1or some 'eo'le
2avin& a land?line '2one and a cell '2one is overkill. Could you Cust y 0it2 Cust one '2one lineN
91 so# you could save =5. or more eac2 mont2 y cancelin& one o1 t2em.
)o you 2ave ot2er services t2at can e sto''ed to save more moneyN Cleanin& and laundry
services are 0onder1ul lu;uries# ut may not e cost e11ective i1 you can do t2e same 1or less
money. 91 you 2ave access to a 2ose# you can 0as2 your ve2icle 1or muc2 less money t2an
'ayin& someone else to do it. *r i1 t2is is not allo0ed in your area 1or a 1e0 dollars you can take
your ve2icle to a Hsel1 serveI car 0as2.
We:ve all seen t2e commercials# ut really# you may e 'ayin& too muc2 1or insurance. C2eck on
your car insurance rates. Can you comine your 2ome# renters:# or second ve2icle to increase
'olicy discountsN 91 you are &iven o'tions 1or your 2ealt2 insurance# e sure to c2oose t2e 'lan
t2at is est 1or you and your 1amily. *1ten em'loyees are &iven t0o Jor moreK o'tions 1or 2ealt2
insuranceE A less e;'ensive mont2ly 'remium in e;c2an&e 1or 2i&2er deductiles# or 2i&2er
mont2ly 'remiums 1or less e;'ensive deductiles. )e'endin& on 2o0 o1ten you re@uire a
'2ysicians: care# you could save a lot o1 money y c2oosin& t2e o'tion t2at is most a''ro'riate
1or you. )on:t 1or&et to take advanta&e o1 Healt2 Care Savin&s 'ro&rams or 6le;?S'endin&
accounts t2at allo0 you to 2ave ta;?1ree money deducted 1rom your 'ayc2ecks to s'end on
@uali1yin& medical costs. And i1 you or your 'arent is over !5 make sure you c2eck into
'ro&rams like Secure HoriFons Jsecure2oriFons.comK t2at o11er 1ree or very lo0 cost 2ealt2
insurance.
91 you 1ind t2at you uy t2e same ma&aFine 1rom mont2 to mont2# you s2ould consider
'urc2asin& a suscri'tion. 7ou can save aout 2al1 o1 t2e cover 'rice eac2 mont2 Cust y
suscriin&. ,2e discount is even &reater i1 you can 1ind a deal online. Many ma&aFines also
o11er incentives to rene0 suscri'tions# so you may end u' 0it2 1ree &i1ts or a second
Sim'le Savin&s 'resented y 000.6ru&al6reeiesand)eals.com --
suscri'tion 1or 1ree# Cust 1or rene0in&. And don:t 1or&et t2at 6ru&al6reeiesand)eals.com lists
many 1ree suscri'tions to a variety o1 titles @uite o1ten.
Buy $sed
Not everyone 2as an emer&ency 1und t2at can e used to 'urc2ase a ne0 a''liance s2ould t2e
old one sto' 0orkin&. Consider uyin& used a''liances instead o1 ne0 to save a lot o1 money. 91
'urc2ased 1rom a used a''liance dealer# many used a''liances come 0it2 8.?# !.?# or M.? day
0arranties# and cost Cust a 1raction o1 t2e cost o1 a ne0 a''liance. %sed a''liances can also e
'urc2ased 1rom individuals# t2ou&2 t2ese a''liances are &enerally sold Has is.I >ust make sure to
c2eck out t2e ener&y ratin& o1 t2e used a''liance you are t2inkin& aout uyin&< 'urc2asin& a
muc2 lo0er e11iciency may not e suc2 a deal in t2e lon& run.
W2ile uyin& 1urniture is not likely considered an emer&ency# you can uy used 1urniture to save
a lot o1 money. ,o limit t2e ick?1actor# you may 0ant to stick to uyin& 1urniture t2at can e
easily cleaned and 0as2ed 02en you rin& it 2ome. ,2is means limitin& your 'urc2ases to 2ard
sur1aces like tales# 0ood or 'lastic c2airs# ook cases# etc. But u'2olstered items can also e
cleaned# so i1 you are 0illin& to 'ut in a little e;tra 0ork# t2ese can 2el' you save money# too.
We 2ave sold lots o1 1urniture on Crai&slist t2at 2as een in &reat s2a'e.
9n addition to t2e stee' discounts t2at can e 1ound 02en uyin& used 1urniture# you can o1ten
1ind 2i&2er @uality items t2an is availale 1or lo0 'rices at i& o; stores. ,2is makes 'urc2asin&
used 1urniture an even &reater value 02en you consider t2at t2e 'ieces you uy used 0ill e
around lon&er and less likely to 0ear out. Gara&e sales# consi&nment s2o's# and some estate
sales are &reat 'laces to 'ick u' @uality used 1urniture items. "lus t2ere is t2e added ene1it o1
no sales ta; 02en you uy 1rom a 'rivate seller? t2is in itsel1 could save you over =-.. o11 t2e
ta; t2at 0ould e on a ne0 retail 'roduct.
Sim'le Savin&s 'resented y 000.6ru&al6reeiesand)eals.com -/
Be)are of Bud%et Busters
Cleanin& 'roducts are e;'ensive# and
'urc2asin& lots o1 di11erent 'roducts to clean
various 'arts o1 your 2ome can reak your
ud&et. Consider usin& a multi'ur'ose cleaner
t2at you can use t2rou&2out t2e 2ouse. ,2ere
are multi'ur'ose cleaners availale in stores#
ut even etter are some common 2ouse2old
items like vine&ar and akin& soda. Bot2 o1
t2ese items are readily availale in all &rocery
stores# and can clean your entire 2ome 1or Cust
'ennies Jand it is 'lanet 1riendlyK.
Everyone kno0s t2at c2ea'er is not al0ays etter< t2is is even true 02en tryin& to save money.
9t may e tem'tin& to uy t2e c2ea'est 'roduct availale in order to save money# ut e a0are
t2at 'rice is o1ten indicative o1 @uality. Havin& to 1re@uently re'lace an item means t2e =-
ve&etale 'eeler may not e suc2 a &reat deal a1ter all. 6or items t2at 0ill &et a lot o1 use#
consider uyin& a 2i&2er 'riced &ad&et t2at is likely to last 1or a lon& time. 6or 2ouse2old items
t2at 0ill only e used a 1e0 times a year# uyin& t2e lo0est 'riced item availale is 'roaly
1ine.
>ust like 1ood t2at 2as to e t2ro0n a0ay# i1 you 'ay 1or services t2at you don:t use you are
0astin& money. ,2is may seem like a no?rainer# ut you:d e sur'rised 2o0 many 'eo'le 'ay
1or services t2at t2ey don:t use. )o you 2ave a &ym memers2i'# ut rarely 2it t2e &ymN Some
&yms o11er a 'ay 'er use 'rice 02ic2 may end u' ein& less e;'ensive i1 you only visit t2e &ym a
1e0 times eac2 mont2.
Sim'le Savin&s 'resented y 000.6ru&al6reeiesand)eals.com -8
Savin% oney )it* +ids
Buy $sed Clot*in% , Toys
C2ildren &ro0 so 1ast it seems t2ey only
0ear one siFe 1or a mont2 or t0o e1ore
&ro0in& into t2e ne;t siFe. 6or&et
uyin& an entire 0ardroe o1 rand
ne0 clot2es# and o't to uy some
&ently used clot2in& 1or your kids.
Gara&e sales and consi&nment stores
are &reat 'laces to 'ick u' &ently used
c2ildren:s clot2in& 02ic2 are sold 1or a
1raction o1 t2e 'rice o1 ne0 out1its J9
recently 'icked u' rand ne0# ta&s on *ld Navy toddler Ceans 1or only =-K. eBay# t2red%" and
Crai&slist are online o'tions t2at o11er &ently used# and sometimes rand ne0 c2ildren:s
clot2in&.
,2ese same venues also o11er a variety o1 c2ildren:s toys and ay &ear at discounted 'rices. 7ou
can o1ten 1ind toys# "ack n: "lays# s0in&s# and many ot2er items 1or muc2 less t2an you 0ould
'ay 1or rand ne0 'roducts. Many o1 t2ese items seem rand ne0 ecause t2ey don:t &et a lot
o1 use e1ore aies and kids &ro0 out o1 t2em.
Some t2in&s to consider e1ore 'urc2asin& used ay and kids: toysE Be sure you can t2orou&2ly
0as2 any o1 t2e items you 'lan to 'urc2ase. Clot2in& and lankets can e easily t2ro0n into t2e
0as2in& mac2ine# 02ile 'lastic and 0ood toys can e disin1ected in a mild solution o1 leac2
0ater. Make sure you c2eck out a consumer:s sa1ety 0esite 1or a list o1 recalled 'roducts so
you can e con1ident t2e toys# cri# stroller# etc. you are 'urc2asin& 0ill e sa1e.
Certain items# like car seats# s2ould not e 'urc2ased used. ,2e 'arts 0it2in a car seat are only
&uaranteed 1or one accident. %nless you kno0 and trust t2e seller# t2ere is no 0ay to kno0 1or
sure t2at t2e car seat 0ill e sa1e 02en you need it most. Also# car seats 2ave e;'iration dates#
ty'ically 1ive years 1rom t2e date o1 'urc2ase. Buyin& used 'roducts only to 1ind t2ey are useless
is not savin& money.
Sim'le Savin&s 'resented y 000.6ru&al6reeiesand)eals.com -4
-entin% vs. Buyin%
,2e cost o1 out1ittin& your c2ild:s 2oy du >our can really
add u' i1 your c2ild likes to try out one activity# only to s0itc2
to a ne0 one a 1e0 mont2s later. 9nstead o1 'urc2asin&
e;'ensive items like musical instruments# o't to rent t2em
1or a02ile to e certain t2is is an activity t2at interests your
c2ild. 9t may end u' costin& a it more in t2e lon& run i1 your
c2ild decides to stick 0it2 it# ut 0ill de1initely e less
e;'ensive t2an 'urc2asin& a sa;o'2one t2ree mont2s e1ore
your c2ild decides 2e 0ould rat2er 'lay 2ockey.
,2ere are services t2at allo0 you to rent s'orts e@ui'ment
02ic2 may e a &ood 'lace to start e1ore 'urc2asin& a sle0
o1 e@ui'ment. 5entin& is also a &ood o'tion since many
c2ildren tend to out&ro0 e@ui'ment @uickly. 9nstead o1
rentin&# you may decide to 'urc2ase used e@ui'ment instead
o1 ne0. ,2is is also a &reat met2od to save money on s'orts
e@ui'ment and ot2er 2oy su''lies. 9t is likely t2at anot2er c2ild tested out t2e activity and
1ound it 0asn:t 1or t2em# or sim'ly out&re0 t2e e@ui'ment. "urc2asin& used e@ui'ment or
rentin& t2e e@ui'ment is an e;cellent 0ay 1or your c2ild to test out a numer o1 activities
0it2out t2e 1inancial strain o1 'urc2asin& e;'ensive su''lies 1or all o1 t2em.
Also# don:t 1or&et to ask around to 1amily and 1riends i1 any o1 t2eir kids 2ave 'artici'ated in a
2oy your c2ild is interested in. ,2ey may 2ave le1tover e@ui'ment lyin& around t2at t2ey
0ould e 0illin& to let you orro0 and tryout Jor Cust 2aveK. My 2usand 0as recently
interestin& in uyin& our oldest dau&2ter a so1t?to' sur1oard. 9nstead o1 Cust &oin& out and
uyin& it t2ou&2 2e asked a 1riend i1 0e could orro0 2is son:s Jt2at 0as not &ettin& usedK.
Come to 1ind out s2e is not ready 1or it and it crossed o11 t2e need 1or a sur1oard 1or 2er 1or a
02ile Jand time 1or me to look 1or one 1rom a &ara&e saleK.
Store Brand .ormula and 'ia&ers
6ederal re&ulations re@uire all in1ant 1ormulas to meet certain 2ealt2 and sa1ety standards. ,2is
means you can com1ortaly 1eed your ay store rand 1ormulas kno0in& t2at your ay is
&ettin& virtually t2e same nutrients as 02at &oes into national rand 1ormulas. )es'ite t2e
e;treme 'rice di11erence# national rand 1ormulas are not su'erior to store rand 1ormulas.
Com'are t2e in&redients on t2e 1ormula cans to see 1or yoursel1. By 1eedin& your in1ant store
rand 1ormula# you can e;'ect to save around =-. 'er can o1 'o0dered 1ormula.
91 t2ere 0as one ty'e o1 dia'er t2at 0orked 1or every ay# t2ere 0ould only e one ty'e o1
dia'er. )on:t elieve t2at store rands are in1erior to national rands ecause t2ey are 0ell#
Sim'le Savin&s 'resented y 000.6ru&al6reeiesand)eals.com -5
store rands. Many 'arents 1ind store rands 0ork Cust as 0ell as t2e more e;'ensive nation
rands# and are aout 2al1 t2e 'rice. Buy a 'acka&e o1 store rand dia'ers to test i1 t2ey are a
&ood matc2 1or your ay# and you may e sur'rised 2o0 e11ective t2e store rand dia'ers are.
akin% /our ()n Baby .ood
,2is 2as 'reviously een discussed# ut it really does save a
lot o1 money. 6or aout =/5# you can uy an immersion
lender# steamer asket# and some ice cue trays. Wit2in t2e
1irst mont2# it 0ill 'ay 1or itsel1. A one 'ound a& o1 carrots#
ty'ically sold at &rocery stores 1or =- 0ill yield aout t0enty
servin&s o1 'ureed carrots. Com'are t2at to =.5. or more 1or
eac2 servin& o1 're'ared ay 1ood# and you can see 2o0
@uickly t2e savin&s add u'B
Makin& your o0n ay 1ood is easy# too. Sim'ly steam Jor
akeK t2e 1ruits and ve&etales o1 your c2oice until t2ey are
so1t# t2en trans1er to a o0l and 'uree. Add a little 0ater to
ac2ieve t2e consistency t2at is ri&2t 1or your in1ant# and 'our
into ice cue trays. *nce solid# t2e ay 1ood cues can e
stored in Fi'?to' a&s or 1reeFer?sa1e 1ood containers in t2e
1reeFer 1or aout si; mont2s.
)on:t 1all 1or t2e Hmade s'eci1ically 1or ay 1oodI &immick t2at some manu1acturers advertise.
,2ere are a numer o1 'roducts t2at claim to e s'eci1ically 1or ay 1ood# ut t2ey also 2ave
s'ecialty 'rice ta&s and sim'ly aren:t necessary. ,2ere are also a numer o1 ay 1ood
cookooks availale 1or 'urc2ase< 2o0ever# t2e same in1ormation can e 1ound online 1or 1ree.
Birt*day !arties
,2e cost o1 t2ro0in& a irt2day 'arty can skyrocket very @uickly# and it:s so 2ard to tell your
c2ildren HNoI on suc2 a s'ecial occasion. Save money on irt2day 'arties# and t2ro0 a 1aulous
'arty on a limited ud&et. ,2e 1irst ste' in controllin& your 'arty ud&et is to avoid uyin& 'arty
1avors 1or kids to take 2ome. No matter t2e a&e o1 your &uests# t2ey sim'ly aren:t necessary. As
a 'arent# do you really 0ant a unc2 o1 c2ea'# 'lastic toys lyin& around t2e 2ouseN Neit2er do
ot2er 'arents.
9nstead o1 'urc2asin& 'arty 1avors# 2ave all t2e kids make somet2in& t2at can e rou&2t 2ome.
Cookies are easy and ine;'ensive to make# and kids 2ave a &reat time decoratin&. Be sure to
make e;tra cookies 1or t2e kids to sam'le 02ile t2ey are decoratin&. Not interested in cookiesN
Searc2 t2e internet or your local lirary 1or more cra1t ideas. 3ee' your costs do0n y c2oosin&
an activity t2at does not re@uire a lot o1 e;'ensive su''lies. ,2e activities are &reat 1or kids:
Sim'le Savin&s 'resented y 000.6ru&al6reeiesand)eals.com -!
'arties ecause it &ives your small &uests somet2in& to do# and t2ey can take t2e cra1t 2ome.
Consider timin& your 'arty et0een lunc2 and dinner so you aren:t res'onsile 1or 'rovidin& a
meal. Cake and ice cream s2ould e enou&2 and is si&ni1icantly c2ea'er t2an 1eedin& a 2un&ry
cro0d o1 c2ildren. 9nstead o1 'urc2asin& individual?siFed drinks# uy one or t0o 1lavors in lar&er
siFes and some dis'osale cu's.
91 you are lucky enou&2 to live near a dollar store# see i1 most o1 t2e 'arty su''lies can e
'urc2ased t2ere. 9n t2e stores t2at oast everyt2in& is a dollar# you can 'urc2ase Mylar alloons
1or muc2 less t2an you:d 'ay at ot2er stores. Streamers# 'lates# na'kins# and ot2er irt2day
'arty su''lies can also e 'urc2ased at t2ese stores at very reduced 'rices.
We 'ersonally love t2e idea o1 &ivin& instead o1 &ettin& at irt2day 'arties. 9n order to do t2is
our 1amily t2ro0s Hno &i1t 'artiesI. ,2is year 0e are 2avin& a cat t2emed and 5a&&edy Ann
t2emed 'arties # instead o1 &i1ts c2ildren 0ill e asked to rin& 'et 1ood and su''lies J1or t2e cat
'artyK and toys J1or t2e 5a&&edy Ann 'artyK to donate to t2e Humane Society and a $ocal 6oster
3ids or&aniFation. *ur kids &et lots o1 &i1ts 1rom 1amily and 0e don:t 1eel 0e need t2e toy
overload t2at a i& 'arty can cause. 9t also 1rees u' your &uests 1rom s'endin& too muc2 on
unneeded &i1ts. But i1 you still 0ould like to 2ave &i1ts &iven at your 'arty concider re@uestin&
2andmade &i1ts or kee'in& under a certain dollar amount o1 your c2oosin&.
T*anks for readin% Sim&le Savin%s0 Ste&s /ou Can Take to Easily Save 123334s. 5 *o&e you
en6oyed it and )ere able to &ick u& several ti&s t*at )ill increase your bottom line.
As you can see" t*ere are a number of )ays to save money" even in t*ese tou%* economic
times. /ou may live on a limited bud%et out of necessity or by c*oice" but by makin% 6ust a fe)
lifestyle c*an%es your 7uality of life doesn4t *ave to suffer. T*in%s like cancelin% your cable
may feel like a very bi% sacrifice8 *o)ever" if you can fill your normal T9 )atc*in% time by
s&endin% en%a%ed time )it* family" you may 7uickly for%et about :must;see &ro%rammin%.<
=!lus" many s*o)s are available online )it*out commercials so you don4t *ave to live entirely
out of t*e )ater cooler;loo&.>
.or more money savin% ti&s" freebies and s*o&&in% deals &lease 6oin ?enetta and t*ousands of
ot*er readers at .ru%al.reebiesand'eals.com.
Sim'le Savin&s 'resented y 000.6ru&al6reeiesand)eals.com -(