Shop Wisely

When Raúl lost his job, his wife, Bertha, changed her method of shopping. “I looked for discount coupons and grocery store specials that offered two items for the price of one,” she says. Here are some other ideas:

● Plan your weekly menu around what is on sale.

● Buy basic ingredients instead of prepackaged foods, and cook from scratch.

● Stock up on items that are on sale or in season.

● Buy in bulk, but be careful not to overstock items that will eventually spoil.

● Slash clothing costs by purchasing quality used garments at resale stores.

● Travel to areas where prices are known to be lower, if this is cost-effective.

● Cut back on how often you shop.a

Before Buying, Think

Get into the habit of asking yourself: ‘Do I really need this? Is the old item actually worn out, or do I just want something new?’ If you will rarely use an item, would renting one suffice? Or if you anticipate using it frequently, would buying a good used one work just as well?

While some of the above measures may seem insignificant, they can add up! The point is, by establishing a pattern of saving with little things, you will do the same when faced with large expenses.