5 Ways To Save Money On Everyday Purchases

[scubatim84]

5 Ways To Save Money On Everyday Purchases

Here is an article on 5 methods I've been using for awhile to cut down on spending for normal, everyday stuff without really changing what I'm buying. Most of these methods will take a little planning, but in the long run, if you can save even $25-50 extra a week to drop in your investments then you're going to be a lot better off!

[bjl584]

To comment on #5, in my younger days me and my friends have been known to BYOB it to bars and clubs. We could've gotten thrown out for that, but it was fun at the time.

[JoeP]

To comment on #5, in my younger days me and my friends have been known to BYOB it to bars and clubs. We could've gotten thrown out for that, but it was fun at the time.

The markup on booze is epic, especially for sit down dining.

[scubatim84]

Yeah, bringing your own booze to a bar or club is NOT easy...kudos for pulling it off! I didn't mention it in the article, but in my younger days, I always brought my own soda and candy to the movies for the same reason. The mark up on movie concessions is just insane. Although yeah, I think alcohol at sit down restaurants takes the cake. The only time I've gotten a glass of wine somewhere was at a steakhouse where it was half off that night for a bottle, so the bottle cost you the same it would at the store, and you could take it home with you. Outside deals like that, it's a ripoff.

[bjl584]

Yeah, bringing your own booze to a bar or club is NOT easy...kudos for pulling it off!

It was harder to get into the bars. But, we had all sorts of creative ways to get it into the larger venues like concerts and the Kentucky Derby.

[GrimJack]

Number 5 does not say bring your own drinks - there are states that make that illegal; what it says is don't buy drinks at a restaurant. But, in my youth I used to sneak wine into concerts by wearing a bota bag - it will hold almost a quart of wine. I stopped after a cop called me out on my bota because he was a skier and spotted the red cord.

I learned how to drink from the bota bag held at arms length - some guy shouted "Look, that funny animal is peeing in that man's mouth". I blew red wine everywhere.

[rob62521]

Good ideas, but really nothing new. I guess they bear repeating though.

[scubatim84]

Number 5 does not say bring your own drinks - there are states that make that illegal; what it says is don't buy drinks at a restaurant. But, in my youth I used to sneak wine into concerts by wearing a bota bag - it will hold almost a quart of wine. I stopped after a cop called me out on my bota because he was a skier and spotted the red cord.

I learned how to drink from the bota bag held at arms length - some guy shouted "Look, that funny animal is peeing in that man's mouth". I blew red wine everywhere.

Oh man, how I would have paid money to see that...

Write a shopping list when you go to the super market and only buy the things on it. I read an article on a case study where the said that people with shopping lists tend to buy less items when shopping.

Eh, I believe it. I tend to eyeball all sorts of snacks when I don't have a list, and needless to say, a lot of them end up in the cart...

[Johansen8]

I hope I can follow these. thanks

[dontgopoor]

My family and I drink water when we dine out - not boring at all; the food us usually the attraction. We don't drink soda anyway. That habit has saved us thousands over 20 years.

[ecoadapt]

Using coupons and discounts is a big help. It will lessen your expenses. Also, you should always buy according to plan, make a shopping list and stick to it.

[snafu]

Stop buying on impulse. Plan your purchases and use the apps on your phone to compare prices since there are such variances. If you're cooking it, buy the store brand rather than name brand...I doubt anyone could tell the difference.

[Gailete]

One of my favorite stores for shopping at lately is CVS (drugstore). With constant sales and specials you can get with your bonus card you can get great deals. I would have thought that buying grocery type items there would be costly, but not if you wait for the sales. And then some things are on sale just about every other week. I'm learning to buy the smaller bottle or size when they are on sale instead of stocking up as I know by the time I need more they will be on sale again. Smaller size means less out of pocket at that point and when things are tight, why pay $10 for something that you can get for $3 which will last you till the next sale? I just downloaded a 30% off up to $99 coupon. My bonus card gets me 20% off any CVS item not on sale, so many things in the store I can get for the next couple days if a CVS brand for 50% off or other items 30% off. I've found that I can get toilet paper there cheaper than elsewhere and I'm talking about my favorite kind. And at the end of every season I get bonus bucks based on how much I bought over the last three months. Once it was $16!

Anyhow, learn to be smart with your bonus cards. Learn the different ways to save at each store. We don't get a paper so I rarely get coupons, but learning how to take advantage of a bonus card can really save in the long run and nothing to clip and keep track of!

[EarlyRetirementJoy]

Number one was new to me, but we already do the other four.

With regard to number five - we now have a new routine of sitting down for a glass of wine about 30 minutes before we leave for dinner. It's very nice actually- DH and I both look darn attractive in our going-out duds, enjoy flirting a bit with each other, and leave for the restaurant nice and relaxed. We then order just water during the meal.

Here's a comparison on mark ups I caught last year at my last pre-retirement business dinner - a 2008 J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon we had at home that cost us $35 was retailing at Morton's for $105. That pretty much cured us of any desire to continue to order wine at restaurants.