Tag Archives: shopping

How to Save on Food Costs

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Eating is a must. It can also be extremely expensive and take up a large portion of your monthly budget. For families especially, the idea of going grocery shopping can be a daunting one!

The good news- Tracey Allen from Tallen Marketing has taken the time to help! Tracey has created a one week lost cost menu using local foods. Although she does not claim to be a nutritionist, the menu appears to be both healthy and hearty!

So before you blow your budget at the grocery store- take a look at what Tracey has put together!

http://simplifyandsave.weebly.com/uploads/4/5/6/4/4564307/one_week_menu.pdf

To learn more about simplifying and saving visit http://simplifyandsave.weebly.com

 

 

For more great savings ideas, visit

Keep Your Finances in Check this Holiday Season

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– Five simple tips to avoid that dreaded post Christmas credit card bill –

The music, the lights, the jolly good cheer, oh the joys of Christmas! Generally, we as Canadians love the celebration of Christmas. It is a time for traditions, visiting loved ones, and spending money. Whether we want to admit it or not, with Christmas comes an indulgence of money spending. According to the RBC Canadian Consumer Outlook, Canadians will spend a total amount of $1,183 on gifts, entertainment, travel and decorations. So unless you are spending Christmas with the Kranks, the big question is: What small steps can you take to save money this holiday season?

Gift Buying:

The RBC survey suggests shoppers who plan on buying gifts are likely to shell out $629 on their purchases. Although it is hard to be frugal with the turkey dinner, gift buying is an area where a small amount of planning can go a long way. Here are five tips to help you save this holiday season.

#1- Create a list! We all know who the top five people are, but do we know who falls to the bottom of the list, or where it even ends? Creating a list will help you avoid feeling obligated to buy your great aunt Betty a gift. Be clear on who is prioritized for gift buying, and who is not. As for the people on the bottom of the list, perhaps a card with a family picture or even a visit during the festive season will be enough to show how much you care.

#2- Do not get caught up in the holiday cheer! For some of us the music in the department store, combined with the decorations, jolly sales person and the smell of Christmas in the air is just too much to handle. Before you know it you are in the hardware section buying that extra tool to top off your husbands collection. Be alert, know the signs, keep your head on straight and do not get sucked in! One way to avoid this problem is to try online shopping. Not only will you avoid the tempting holiday cheer, but the lines at the cash register as well. Be sure to check shipping times and do not click too much!

#3- Set limits with gift exchanges! Do not be afraid to tell family members and friends that this Christmas the gifts should be $20 maximum. Although you may feel like the cheap scape of the group, it is guaranteed that nobody will challenge your suggestion. Not only does it help you to avoid that awkward moment when she spent $50 more on your gift than you did on hers, but it allows people to be creative in their gift selection, generating somewhat of a challenge for those involved. In all reality, it is easy to find nice $50 gifts, but with a $20 limit you will have to think a little harder!

#4- Buy in advance! This will allow you to avoid that tempting holiday cheer, those long lines, and that last minute run to the mall because you forgot about Uncle John. Buying in advance will help you to keep your priorities straight and save money. Throughout the year keep an eye out for end of season sales, promotional events, and discounted prices. Stop at the bargain bin each time you go to the drugstore to look for stalking stuffers. A little here and there can add up to big savings!

#5- Do not be afraid to get creative! Homemade gifts are not cheap, they are thoughtful and creative. With Pintrest at your fingertips there are tons of Christmas gift ideas that do not require you to have the talents of Martha Stewart. Not only can making gifts save you money, they can be a fun way to engage with others and spread the Christmas cheer. Set up a craft night with your kids or friends, turn on the Christmas carols and get out the glue gun. Let’s face it, Grandparents can’t help but smile when they open that ornament made by your 6 year old.

 

Back-to-School Shopping

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It seems as though everyone tackles back-to-school shopping differently. No matter how it is gone about, the experience is often dreaded. Whether you’ve spent more than you intended in the past years or ended up scrambling for one item at the last minute, you probably have a bad memory to associate with the event. Here are some tips that should help you improve your overall back-to-school shopping experience and lead you in the direction of a better outcome.

If you have a list of school supplies that your child will need throughout the year, it is a good idea to keep a copy in your vehicle at all times in case you are able to pick up a few extra things while running errands. Before you do go out shopping, however, consider shopping at home first. Can last year’s backpacks be reused? What about lunch boxes? Maybe you have a ruler or a protractor sitting in your junk drawer. If your child has an older sibling, perhaps their old supplies can be traded down. The number of utilities you can obtain for free may surprise you!

When bringing the kids along on a back-to-school shopping trip, it’s easy for them to become fixated on getting the more expensive, trend-oriented gear. A good method of dodging conflict in this situation is to establish individual budgets for each child before going out. If dealing with a younger child, you could even make a game out of it!

When a firm budget is in place, a child will be less likely to beg for extra merchandise. If they do become absorbed in a brand-name item or anything else that sends them over their limit, you can refer to the budget and give them the opportunity to exchange other objects in order to make room for their purchase. If you’re having the same difficulty with a teenager, try asking them to pay for extra expenses. Having a budget will teach your young ones how to manage money and set priorities.

Be on the lookout for deals and experiment with shopping at office depots. The majority of back-to-school sales take place in August and they carry great deals. That having been said, sometimes quality counts more than price. Though brand-name crayons may cost more than the ones on sale, they may also break less frequently, saving you money in the long run. Look back on the previous years and see if you can recall any other items that this philosophy may apply to.

Another great way to save money is to bulk up on the basics. Your kids will always need pencils, pens, paper, and similar essentials in school, so if you spy a great deal on them, don’t just buy in accordance to the quantity recommended by the supplies list; stock up! Save for next year! If your high school student will need special items for their second semester, buy them in advance while they’re on sale! Keep all these bulk items in a cabinet and distribute them as needed. Allowing your child to store them in their desk or locker until they’re needed may result in their being lost or given away.

For great tips on how to get the most out of your dollar year-round, we encourage you to visit mymoneycoach.ca