photo by zappowbang

Gas prices are down, but grocery-store prices are up (with many downsized products). It seems you simply can’t catch a break. Look for small ways to save on costs. If you make a few different choices, it’s like getting a pay raise. While you know many of your options, it can be a real eye-opener to take a look at the numbers. It can reinforce your commitment to frugality to your family, too. Don’t put it off. Rethink your habits and choices. Start saving your hard earned money today.

GROCERY STORES: Shop at them for food. Nonfood items can typically be found cheaper elsewhere. Compare prices at discount department stores. One reader, Candy in Ohio, shares: “For quick trips, don’t use a cart. This works for me because I can only carry so much. When you have a cart, you are more apt to fill it. Shop the perimeter of the store, too. While shopping, I found a summer sausage for $3.99 in the center aisle. As I went on with my shopping, along the back wall of the store was a display with the same type of sausage for $2.99.” You’ll discover most prepackged convenience and junk foods are in the center aisles, while healthier choices are on the outer perimeter.

THEME DAYS: Plan your meals, and follow themes. For example, have a meatless Monday, soup Saturday or sandwich Sunday. Incorporate one day as a planned day of leftovers, and you’ll discover you can still eat healthfully but at the fraction of the cost of having “meat and potato” daily dinners.

CALCULATE CHOICES: Consider small choices, such as popping your own popcorn versus microwave popcorn, homemade cleaners versus commercial cleaners, packing a lunch versus takeout, etc. One reader, Deana in Georgia, says: “The only roll of paper towels I have is because I could get it free. I don’t know what I would do without my cut-up towels and cloth napkins. It feels great not to worry about coupons and sales for paper towels.”

Washcloths can be reused and are small, so they don’t take up much room in the washer or dryer. If you buy white, they can be bleached. Know what your decisions cost.

Here are a couple of example calculations.

– Paper towels versus washcloths.
Bounty 12 big roll: $15.99.
24 package of inexpensive washcloths: $5.

– Can of ground coffee versus coffee shop.
Can of Folgers: $6.50.
Medium cup of regular coffee at the drive-through: $1.40.
One can of Folgers makes approximately 240 six-ounce cups of coffee (give or take a few, depending on coffee strength). Let’s double the size of Folgers to make it closer to the drive-through size. We’ll say 120 12-ounce cups. Drive-through $1.40 x 120 $168; Folgers $6.50 plus water, electricity and cream and sugar, if used.

What options have you calculated?
What incredible shrinking packages have you noticed?

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