We've seen those books that are titled "Bottom Line Book of Secrets"...

[PrairieRose]

If you were to say you had 3, really big money saving secrets what would they be?

Mine would be:

1. Eat at home

2. Don't carry a balance on your credit cards (hence paying high interest)

3. Don't shop out of boredom or for fun

[paelthom]

1. Eat at home would be top on my list but is the one thing that I don't do nearly as much as I should.

2. Do not take children with you to the grocery store.

3. Do not go into Walmart or any other store to just kill some time. You will always find something to buy.

[thrifty gal]

1. Eat at home, also for me
2. Get out of unnecessary debt, and stay out!
3. Always shop with a list and a purpose

[homesteadmamma]

1. Eat at home
2. Pay cash for everything
3. Carry no cc debt

[Sara Noel]

Pay myself first
realizing the fun factor in homecooked meals vs. dining out
Taking the money saved from discounts, coupons, sales, and actually SAVING it by setting it aside vs. just claiming I saved the amount of cash. It's not really "saved" unless you truly set it aside into savings. It's still a deal/bargain because you spent less, but isn't money saved until it's SAVED. lol

[KKCondrey]

Hide all bike catalogs from your husband
Hide all baby/scrapbooking catalogs from your wife


Seriously though....

~Buy groceries ahead of time and cook at home
~stock up on sales items you use a lot of to save money in the long run
~don't go to the store when you are hungry

[paelthom]

Good point on the saving Sara.

[Shell]

~Don't use your credit cards
~Pay yourself first
~Stay out of the mall

[PoorRichardsGirl]

1. Make things automatic--like 401K money coming out of a paycheck and automatic transfers to ING savings accounts. "Automate" yourself by making new money-saving habits.

2. Make use of the internet to save or make money.

3. Get organized, so you avoid late fees, letting food spoil, etc.

[Englishlady]

1. Everyone will always want YOUR money, so avoid temptation by making lists/staying away from shops unless you NEED something or HAVE to replace something.

2.save enough money so that you only ever need to "borrow" money from yourself(savings)

3. Realise that if anything sounds too good to be true, there is NO MAYBE about it!!!!, inparticular with your savings, go for the no/low risk "drip, drip" effect

[Mommy2five]

1. Buy clothes for children and self (if needed) at the end of season for the next year. I don't buy clothes for the children unless they are 75% off. I also never turn away hand me downs. I always accept them kindly then go through them. What ever I don't want I pass along or donate to red cross.

2. Consider your savings deposit as a bill.

3. Keep snacks on hand in purse or diaper bag so you aren't tempted to go through drive throughs for hunger or to calm children. We keep juice boxes (that I stock up on when they are on sale for .99) and baggied pretzels in the van.

[Darlene]

~Never pay full price for anything

~Never carry a credit card balance & use one of those cards that pays you a % back on what you spend. If you can't/won't be able to pay the balance on time, do not use a credit card.

~Find joy in what you have, not what you don't

[rebecca]

Pay yourself first

Never, ever pay full price for anything

eat at home

[sarcophagus]

1. Don't take DH to grocery store (he always throws in pop and chips, ice cream etc.)

2. Don't shop at the "best" grocery stores. We shop at Sobey's because DH insists it's the cleanest and best variety. My new job is at a discount store that also sells groceries and I get a %15 discount on everything in the store. I've decided to buy what I can from my list there and get the meat and fresh fruits at sobeys since the rest doesn't really matter.

3. Never carry cash/debit/credit cards with you when you go out unless you are going for a weekly grocery shop. This way, where there is temptation, there is no way to pay so no added costs.