Prices Are Headed Higher

If you believe the government, then there is little need to worry about “core” inflation.  Unfortunately, core inflation doesn’t include volatile food and energy prices and the only direction they’ve been heading in recent times is up.  So how do you afford to feed your family or gas up the car?

Save On Gas And Groceries

Check out these 7 tips for staying ahead of the game:

(1)  Add to your income/slash your debt: If are lucky enough to find one, get a part time job to supplement your income.  Use all the extra cash you earn to pay down your debt as any interest you pay for groceries or gas significantly increases their cost.

(2)  Watch for specials: Watch for sale fliers from your local grocery store—the ones that come in the mail.  Also go to the web and find your store’s “online circular”.  Most large chains post a new one each week with all their special deals.

(3)  Check the internet for manufacturer’s coupons: Use your favorite search engine and type in the specific item you’re looking for and the word coupon.

(4)  Make and stick to a shopping list: If it’s not on the list, it has to be (a) something you use all the time as opposed to something that looks good and (b) a real bargain.

(5)  Use higher prices as an incentive to lose weight: If you are struggling with your weight and have been thinking of dieting, use all these price increases as an incentive to reduce the portion size of your meals.  Dieticians have been telling us for years to eat smaller portions so here’s the chance to (a) lose some weight and (b) eat more healthy.

(6)  Read these Javabird posts: If you haven’t read them yet, read the following posts for great tips on saving money at the store and at the pump:

(a)  Survival Shopping: Eating Well On Less – An article on shopping for groceries when money is extremely tight.

(b)  Survival Shopping: True Bargain Foods – An article listing foods that are less expensive for a tight budget.

(c)  Survival Shopping: 8 Tasty Recipes – Cheap recipes that taste great.

(d)  Six Highly Effective Habits For Saving Money On Groceries – Tips for saving money and time while shopping.

(e)  4 Store Tricks Designed To Take Your Money – Outsmart the stores at their own games.

(f)  Running On Empty – Learn all the best tricks for reducing gas consumption.

(7)  Follow these Javabird Great Savings Tips: Click on the links below and read the following tips for more money savings ideas:

(a)  #12 – Soda – Stop buying soda for your health and wallet.

(b)  #16 – Coupons – Tips for finding and collecting coupons.

(c)  #17 – Bottled Water – Stop buying it.  Save your health and money.

(d)  #27 – Buy In Bulk – Not every food is a good candidate to buy in bulk.  Stick to those that are.

(e)  #28 – It Matters Where You Shop – Skip convenience stores if possible.

(f)  #29 – Cut Fuel Usage – 7 quick tips to save gas.

(g)  #41 – Make More Foods From Scratch – For your health and wallet.

(h)  #60 – Shop With A Buddy – Make shopping more fun and efficient.

(i)  #66 – Smorgasbord – Use up leftovers by making them fun.

(j)  #68 – Fast Foods – You can make your own fast foods and save.

(k)  #69 – Generics – They cost less so why aren’t you buying them more often?

(l)  #79 – Potluck – Cut the cost of entertaining with a potluck.

How Do You Do It?

Everyone has their own ways to save.  What’s yours?  Please share your ideas with our readers in the comments below.  Let’s band together.  We’re going to need all the help we can get to beat inflation.

By Bob Anderson

© 2011 Javabird LLC.  All rights reserved.

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For more ideas on savings see these Great Savings Tips.

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