I'm putting together some articles on how to pinch pennies. I need all of your ideas and input on how to save money. ALL ideas are welcome. If something saves you money, tell me about it!


Here are a few categories that can get you thinking but these are by NO means the only suggestions I'm open to. Feel free to elaborate on these categories or give me suggestions for new ones.


Coupons (any tips for using them to get the most out of them?)
clothing sales (which sales save you the most money? which stores save you the most?)
Grocery Store Sales (which ones have the best ones? Do you shop at several different stores or just one?)
Meal Planning?
Do you make certain things at home that save you money?
Do you have a system for paying down debt that saves you the most money?
How do you save on utilities?


Bottom Line- I want to know how you save money :D

Grocery: Make a master list of things you always get every month. Cut coupons for those things every time you go in and make a filing system for the coupons so you always have them.

Add extra items you need for special things after on a separate list. This will help keep you in the right direction at the grocery store instead of buying random things.

Powdered drink mixes make more drink for less money, and offer more variety.

Shop for bulk items at warehouse stores. TP, papertowels, detergent, shampoo things like that,

Cereal and other dried goods can be purchased in bulk and then separate them in air tight containers so they don't go stale and you only use so much at a time.

Buy meats in bulk and then separate into servings to freeze.

Turn off lights and open blinds for light during the day. Turn off computers at night to eliminate extra heat and of course extra electricity usage at night.

Wash clothes in cold water unless absolutely necessary to wash them in hot.

Keep showers down to only what you need to get clean.

Cook larger meals so you can have leftovers and not have to use as much gas/electricity to cook, and also saves money so you don't have to make a lunch or something along those lines.

Take leftovers for lunch to work with you to reheat in their microwave! LOL!!!

Use a regular mop and cleaning solution rather than swiffer or cleaning products that you have to buy refills and replacements. They cost you more overtime and the regular mop still gets things clean.

Keep your thermostat at a constant temp... use a blanket if you get cold or wear the absolute minimum if you are hot! LOL!!!

When milk goes on sale buy the cheaper... quarts, or gallons! LOL!! That stuff is expensive!!!

Pasta is a money saver!! :D Buy it in bulk at a warehouse store as well!:D

Use already dried dryer sheets to dust with!! It'll keep you from using papertowels or towels that need to be washed and they pick up dust REALLY WELL!!!

Use grocery bags for small trashcan liners! They tie easily and you paid for them with your store surcharge, why buy more liners LOL!!!

There are more, I'm just not thinking clearly right this second