Needs or Wants?

In these tough economics times one of the things we must do is to cut back on unnecessary expenditures. Number One claims that it is the little things that add up. If you are trying to save money or simplifying your life then you must start by determining if the item you are about to purchase is a need or a want. Just because it's one dollar doesn't mean you need to buy it. Pretty soon you've spent thirty bucks on dollar deals. What could you have purchased with that thirty bucks that would have made a difference in your life or maybe in someone elses' life?

Using the dollar figure is a joke nowadays. You can't even get a pound of onions for a dollar anymore. Onions are another item that I look for on sale and when I find them I stock up. Just like potatoes when properly stored in a cool dark place they will last quite a while. Make sure you choose fresh (unblemished) ones. If you see mold think "death". It's a sure sign of things to come.

One of the ways to save money is to buy when things are on sale. Most everything you buy has a sale seasons. Peanut butter, roll sausage and turkeys have sale seasons. Just to name a few. Watch for items with a new face lift. Lately, it means smaller product.

Have you seen how expensive and small toilet paper has become? They have increased size of the cardboard roll in the center and decreased the amount of product they wrap around it. It looks like the same size, but don't be fooled. There is a lot more room on the sides of your toilet paper dispenser now. If you haven't noticed. They have also shortened the height of your roll, decreasing the amount of product. This toilet paper is four inches high and the tube is two inches wide. It's a toilet paper conspiracy.

You need a degree in "calculator" to figure out the true prices now that they use different ways to price like items. It takes precious time in this fast paced world. It's frustrating. Set aside the time to shop and do your leg work at home.This will help save time and hopefully lessen your frustration. Don't forget your coupons. Most places have member cards that you can download your coupons to instead of printing which saves the cost of paper and ink. This also helps those of us who do not have access to newspapers.

You can also help out yourself and others by championing the stores you frequent to have a coupon bin. This way coupons get shared and not wasted if everyone puts the coupons they don't use into the bin.

Before buying items over(set your limit) go home and sleep on it. Don't buy items on a whim. Go home and think about it. If you still think you need the item the next day then the next time your out and about buy it. Don't make a special trip to the store. It just raises the cost of the item. If it is a sale item be sure to find out when it goes off sale, so you don't miss out on the deal.