Shopping

1. Keep a comparison price book on items you buy regularly, and at the price that each store charges

2. Shop at several different stores.  Take advantage of loss leader sales at each for maximum savings.

3. Buy in bulk.

4. Stock up on items you use regularly when they go on sale.

5. Learn to cook from scratch.  Don't use convenience foods.

6.  Invest in a freezer.  You then can buy outdated meats and breads at a substantial reduced cost in large quantities. Remember cheeses can be frozen too.

7. Grow a garden if possible and can and freeze surplus.

Do It Yourself

1. Cut your own families hair if you can manage it.

2. Learn to make simple repairs around the house.

3. Learn to sew and make needed repairs on clothing.

4. Invest in tools that will allow you to provide for yourself.  Example: sewing machine, freezer, tools for building things and repairing the car.  Check to see if buying these items used wouldn't serve your purposes just as well.

5. Investigate the purpose of an item before you buy it.  A little research can save a lot of money.  Four steps of evaluation could be:

1) Do I really need it?

2) Can I accomplish my goal by recycling what I already have?

3) Can it wait until I find it for free, borrow it from someone, or buy it second hand.

4) If I need to buy it new, did I comparison shop, and read all available information on the purchase of it.

6. Go to yard sales and buy not only for present needs, but also for future expenses such as children's clothes that they need in the next year or two.

7. Don't overlook the trash pile you see on the side of the road.  Sometimes people throw out perfectly good items that need just a little repair or because they don't or won't go through the hassle of disposing it otherwise.

Christmas

1. Avoid debt. Stay in your budget no matter what.

2. Don't live up to other's expectations.  Keep your goal in sight.

3. Homemade gifts and decorations are less expensive and they can provide quality family time doing them together.

4. Consider giving some used items as well as new.

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