This IS your job.

You must look at it this way: saving money IS your job. That... and cleaning... and taking care of the kids... the laundry... the bills...the groceries. Tough love, honey. Saving money is the primary responsibility you have during these times. 


Comparing prices between stores; shopping sales; cooking from scratch: these are all things you must do. Forget brand loyalty unless you discover that in a particular case it really means something. For instance, Scott brand toilet paper. It is expensive. But it also lasts longer and works better than most other brands. During REALLY lean times resort to the store brand, but if you find a brand that is more cost effective because the performance is better then stick with it. If the cheaper brand is cheaper because it requires you to use more of it, then you really aren't saving anything. If you can't afford milk, diapers, food, etc., because you're buying Name Brand X then you buy Mr. Cheapie's brand. Otherwise, stick with what works and search for coupons for your preferred brand at every opportunity.


The iPhone can help you do this. Most stores have apps that will show you the sales fliers for each week. If you are lucky enough to have two or three stores within a mile or two apart, the gas expense won't offset your savings when you visit several stores to shop the sales (i.e., loss leaders). Never pay full price unless you have to. If you have to drive more than 2 miles between stores, then I don't believe the savings are worth it. In that case, either plan to buy the sales item later when you will be in that area or just bite the bullet and eat the cost. But remember they are called loss leaders for a reason. The price has been lowered because, in addition to an agreement with the distributor for a lower price for a bulk order, prices have been raised on other items to offset any losses incurred as a result of the sale item's reduced price. This is why it makes sense to shop several stores. Take advantage of the loss leaders without paying the higher price for the items that have been marked up. 


There is another app called, and I quote parentheses included, Shopping List (Grocery List), made by the Hensoft division of Indended Design, of Hamburg, Germany. Folks this app is GOOD. I used the free one (and yes, there is a free one) but it is definitely worth the $2.99 upgrade. You can have multiple lists. You can enter the price per item, per gallon, pound, etc.. It will calculate your shopping list total. You can even enter the sales tax to have it added to your total so you know EXACTLY how much you are going to spend. Tech is cool, am I right? The only pain is you have to enter each item individually and then remember to change the item prices when they go on sale. 


Your other option is time consuming, but if you are childless, retired, kids are out of the house for a few hours a day or you're a night owl this activity will work for you. Make your grocery list by hand. Grab the fliers for each of the stores you have within a 2 mile radius and either enter into a spreadsheet or list on a piece of paper the prices of the items you need in columns. Then make a list of what you will buy at which store. I am in no way exaggerating when I say I have saved up to $50 on my grocery trip by buying sales at multiple stores. Get the store discount card and read the fine print. Don't buy 3 for $5 if you have to buy all three and you only need one. But if it is 3 for $5 and you can get one for $1.66 then the savings are probably worth it. 


It has been said before but also BASE YOUR MENUS ON WHAT IS IN SEASON AND WHAT IS ON SALE. 


Okay - this post is getting long and I do have two toddlers to tend to so I gotta go. But tune in next time: we will discuss the pros and cons of using coupons and big box store memberships. 


Interested in a particular topic? Let me know.