In times of financial hardship, every bit matters. So clip some damn coupons and get over it. Don’t you read the little CNN financial articles or snippets from the Times that profile country bumpkins who have hundreds of thousands worth of savings because they re-use toliet paper?!
Let’s not take it that far, but seriously, there are some great deals out there, you just got to look.
So, here are a few tips from a money-saving expert (read: cheap):
Tip#1: Figure what you need to buy and what you want to buy.
Honestly, as Americans, we are a wasteful, wasteful people. So, refrain from buying another portable umbrella just because you lost the other one in your house somewhere…stop being lazy and just look for it.
Leading me to Tip#2: Once you find out what’s absolutely necessary, create a mental (or physical) “wish list” of things you want, but can put off buying another day.
Tip#3: Live by these words-search online, search online, search online. Scouring the ‘net for deals is time-consuming, but the rewards of finding your item at more than 30% off is well worth it.
Try sites like deals2buy.com for electronic needs, E.L.F cosmetics when you feel the need for quality-for-less beauty loot, and retailmenot.com before you buy anything on the Web. You’d be surprised how much you can save here and there. Lastly, Tip#5: I know buying online means shipping and handling fees, but call a friend and see if she wants to order, too. You can split the cost or even get it comped if you spend enough.
Whatever you do, I only ask you for one thing-don’t reuse the toliet paper.
