AARP Rewards Online Community Smart Saver Contest

We rarely use ziplocks. Instead, we put leftovers in glass jars. That way, we're not poisoning ourselves with plastic, plus saving the environment from the pollution generated in the manufacture of plastic bags.

I usually combine trips. I communicate with family to see what is needed at a store. I exercise at the gym a few times a week. Then shop near the gym and deliver whatever is needed if perishable right away.  

Sign up for loyalty programs, especially grocery stores and whatever you use frequently, and they will send you coupons. Use coupons as much as possible. And watch for weekly and weekend specials.

Once I've paid off a car, I keep making the payments, but to myself, and continue to drive the car for many years beyond the loan period. When it's time for a new car, I have enough or nearly enough to pay cash for it. Saves loads! This is how I got out of the car money pit. When I started out in my career, I usually traded in my car which would be enough to pay off the loan on it. That left me where I started, with no down payment at all. I realized I had to keep driving cars long enough to pay them off, plus long enough to save up a down payment.

For large ticket items like home & auto insurance, I always ask to check if there are any discounts available when I get renewal notices.  Sometimes there are things I never thought about (like memberships to AARP, etc.) that might be available, but I never knew until I asked. Also, I've noticed some agents spend more time than others when investigating discounts, so it may be dependent on the agent taking your call. 

My wife and I have been in the financial planning and control business for 30 plus years and we don’t agree on everything, but making our money stretch and work for us is where we totally agree.  We learned early in our marriage of 34-years to adopt “simplicity” over “complexity” to ensure lasting habits. 

Basically, we breakdown our spending into 3 easy to calculate buckets.

1. (60%) Needs – rent, food, bills
2. (30%) Goals – savings, investing, debt reduction
3. (10%) Fun – just splurge on the “feel-goods”

This simple system works, it’s flexible, and will fit just about any of life’s changes that occur seemingly far too often.

We also “label” potential purchases practically before our emotional “wants” waste our time and money.  We ask: “How many times will we use this?” 

• If a new clothing item costs $90 and you will wear it 30 times before discarding, that’s $90÷30 = $3 per wear. Conversely if the item costs $30 and you will wear it 5 times before discarding, $30÷5 = $6. 
  • The savvy smart shopper will pay more up front and save over time.

                              ENJOY THE MOMENTS, TREASURE EACH DAY!

Money is scarce at Christmas time? I have a 'cash back' from Wells Fargo. Gets 2% back each month (for me it is about $50 a month) Instead of getting the cash in my checking account, I have it deposited in my savings account. At Christmas I have that extra cash.  

Download the Flipp App.  

You plug in your zip code and have access to ALL of the sales flyers from ALL stores in your vicinity.

Many other options ... Plug in a item and it searches all options including online stores. 

Many  don't get Sunday papers but this is better... Updated current, coupons, specials and very simple to use!   And it's free! 

My first and best money saving strategy is to first consider the life cycle cost, not the up front cost, because the operating cost, (maintenance, service, fuel in the case of fuel appliances, repair costs, replacement costs, and so on) always vastly exceed the upfront cost. 

My second money saving strategy is to not spend in the first place.  Don’t be deceived by special offers like a percent off, especially if you’re using a high interest credit card for the purchase that you won’t immediately pay off in full.  and getting “points”, “rewards”, “gift cards”, and such don’t really mean much, as they’re not really saving you anything, if you have to use them to “buy” more stuff from them.

 I learned from growing up with a thrifty mother who grew up during the depression era.  Mom used to wash gently used aluminium foil and hang to dry as well as plastic bags. They were reused over and over until no longer usable. Use a flexible rubber spatula to get all of the ingredients out of a container ( mayonnaise, ketchup, peanut butter, etc). Shop at second hand stores, some items are brand new. When you find a good sale on items you eat or use often, stock up. Use your grocery stores apps. Sometimes they have extra unadvertised items in the apps. Pay with a credit card with reward points and watch the points add up. There is a nationwide group called Buy Nothing. I belong to one on Facebook. Post items you want to get rid of , ask for items that are being “gifted” that you can use, or ask for an item that you need or would like to borrow. Everything is free and you can leave items out for pickup on your porch with the name of the person picking up your “gift”. I always look at the bakery 50% off section. If I don’t need the item right away I freeze it. It you buy rotisserie chickens and can’t eat it all in a few days I freeze portions large enough to make chicken vegetable soup.