CONSUMERMOM’S BACK TO SCHOOL MONEY-SAVING TIPS, PT. 1

OK, it’s back to school time. My twins are going to kindergarten, and I just got the school supply list. Sixteen glue sticks. Sixteen – per kid. And that is just part of the more than 30 items needed. With lists like this, smart shopping is key. Here are some tips:

• Take your list with you – a list is hands down the best way to avoid impulse buying. We all know how easy it is to get stuck in the $1 aisle at Target – and leave with $5-$10 worth of non essential “bargains”. Make a shopping list and stick to it.
• Comparison shopping is worth the time! I use my cell phone “notebook” feature to keep track of some items, so I can remember what stores offer the lowest “non sale” prices. I also take pictures when I am comparison-shopping in stores for big-ticket items. Other great ways to comparison shop online are with shopping services known as “bots” (www.pricegrabber.com or www.bizrate.com), where you can compare prices on specific goods. Even if you don’t purchase the item you are interested in online, you will have a better idea of the cost and the product when you go somewhere to buy it.
• There’s a reason they are called “thrift stores”– they are money savers! I’m not ashamed to be thrifty. Flea markets, yard sales, second hand stores and businesses that sell “gently used” goods on consignment are great places to shop and save money. You can take your older kids along on the hunt for a good deal. High school and college-aged kids especially – who knows, maybe they’ll get bit by the bargain bug when they find some cool vintage clothes or funky furniture for their rooms.
• Use the coupons. One consumer group I worked with advocated for an end to coupons and rebates, urging companies to save the marketing and print costs and instead offer lower prices – but that didn’t work. Coupons are a fact of life – and they can save you money if you use them correctly. Some great coupon sites include http://krazycouponlady.blogspot.com/ and www.couponsuzy.com.

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Great Idea, telling people to not spend money who have it will surely revive an economy badly in need of capital.Anyone who has money should spend it.