How do you save money? what strategies do you use when shopping for food, clothes and socialising?

Question

considering the rising food and clothes prices?

Answer 1

i set myself a limit of how much cash i am allowed to spend on each weekend and when its gone i have to wait to get more money until the next weekend.

Also i do the same as above with regards to shopping for food online, when i have finished the shop, i go down the list and double check eveything i have ordered is needed and will get used, i can usually loose £10 of stuff that i dont end up ordering.

When buying things like clothes, i just try and be really thoughtful as to if i need it, when i'll where it and can i go without, and that usually makes up my mind as to whether or not i buy it.

Answer 2

its not what the credit cards allow, its with the monthly budget allows--its not pretty!

Answer 3

look for deals especially on non perishable goods.

Answer 4

i do my food shopping online and set a budget, then if im over my budget i can take things off the list without being embaressed about doing it in a shop! lol. Plan ur meals for the week ahead, this helps save money!

It is easy to manage money online too, u can plan ahead.

Answer 5

Scour the sales ads. Clip coupons. Don't buy more than you need. Don't buy anything you wouldn't normally buy. Track prices so you know what things cost. I notice prices going up on things I regularly buy. I mentally keep track of but am going to start writing it down because it's getting confusing. Sometimes the sales aren't really sales.

Clothes: I shop clearance sales. I look more often and just pay attention. I question every purchase 3 or 4 times. I'm buying less. I think do I really need this. Will I really wear this. You have to do some soul searching and be honest with yourself.

Socialising: I look for the most cost effective ways to have fun. I don't go to the movies. I rarely go out to eat. If I do then I look for the best bargain on the menu in terms of size and health value. I take home whatever I don't eat. You have to be more creative. You have to do more homework.

I would love to cook from scratch but who has the time for that??  I would have to sacrifice my workouts and I need that time. I do need some downtime. I don't have a lot of downtime, maybe 20 minutes if that. I get seriously depressed if I don't work out and have some downtime.

Answer 6

For food shopping, I work from a list, so I don't buy stuff I don't need or forget to buy stuff I do need. As something gets low or used up, I add it to the list. I still look out for bargains whilst shopping though, especially stuff I can freeze or keep until I will use it.

For everything else, I ask 3 questions. Do I need it? Will I use it? Have I looked for it cheaper elsewhere? I only but it of the answer to all 3 is yes.

I try not to begrudge any money for socialising, or else I would be a hermit!

I also use a cashback credit card for everything, paid in full by Direct Debit, so I get 1% back.

For example, by shopping around for the 4 new tyres I need for the car, I've just saved £67.20 (more than the cost of one tyre at £54.04 each)!

Visit http://www.moneysavingexpert.com .

Answer 7

Eliminate unnecessary expenses. Socialize with get togethers at someone's house (potluck) instead of going out to eat, watch movies at home on big screen/projector that was purchased on a major sale (don't have cable and don't go out to movies much so the cost balances out well).

Plan menu for month ahead, use food that's on hand, bulk up meal where possible with oats/wheat kernels that's been soaked and toasted/extra veggies.

Clothes are wonderfully supplied by hand-me-downs for everyone (family of 7 so quite needed). Search for major sales when needed/buy in off season to have sales working for you.

Most of all make a budget and stick to it.  It is easiest online to make sure everyone involved in budget is on the same page. We use CalendarBudget.com

See other saving ideas at blog.calendarbudget.com

Good luck with your savings.

Answer 8

I save money by cooking from scratch rather than buying ready made meals. Look around for the meat and vegetable deals, usually late evenings, then cook daily in bulk, freezing what you don't use immediately. Keep plenty of the staples in stock such as pasta, rice and seasonings as well and in that way you can pad out many meals without having to waste too much.

Answer 9

Always try looking for bargains try and put away

£5 or £10 every week and then you'll have quite a bit fr when you need it .