MindAndBodyDigest.com

If there were ever a time that being a “spendthrift” was fashionable, it is now. As many Americans are undoubtedly feeling the economic sucker-punch to the gut, it seems prudent to eliminate the obvious unnecessary “bells and whistles,” (the $4 latte-mocha-super-charged-extra-shot-low-fat-sugar-spiking-morning-kick-in-the-pants). Or the relaxing mani-pedi we indulge in monthly (weekly for the lucky girls).

But what about the things we view as a necessary expense? Are there ways the average person can suck in the proverbial “financial gut”, beyond nixing the determined indulgences? Well, the answer might surprise you.

As a 34-year-old, busy mom of 4, and full-time college student, let’s just say this family doesn’t exactly have money sitting around yearning to be a matured policy or Swiss account when it grows up. So, over the years I have found a few real life savers, (and not the kind I scrape off the couch cushions when my 3 year passe gets into his mommy’s purse). That being said, here they are my tips for anyone out there looking to prune the old spending tree a bit.

1. Produce for pennies: Buy produce at specialty ethnic markets. I have found that, most Persian, Korean, Indian or Hispanic markets sell good quality produce at a fraction of the price charged by major grocery chains. .(My last trip to the Persian market advance my home yielded lemons for 10 cents each, oranges only a dollar for 8 lbs., and brown onions at 39 cents per lb.) *Fresh herbs are also a great deal at these markets (usually less than a dollar a bunch.)

2. Spicy Savings: Buy off-brand spices and dried herbs for cooking (in plastic packets found in the Hispanic foods aisle in major grocery stores.) $.99-$1.49, instead of name brand spices in jars that can average $4.99-$12.99 each. I then, buy my own glass spice jars (less than a dollar ea. Cost Plus World Market) then I simply fill, effect, and enjoy socking away my considerable savings!!) The best part? Spice quality is comparable to name brands, and often the quantity in the bag is double what the jars typically yield.

3. Bulk Bonuses: When buying at wholesale clubs, don’t always assume buying bulk saves money, compare price per ounce/pound, and you may find better deals at your regular market. (Ground beef: price (per lb.) at my club store: $3.99 for 85% lean. When on sale at my local grocery store: $1.99/lb for 90% lean.) Added bonus? Extra fridge space. set are, however, certain items I highly recommend buying in bulk from club stores, such as flour, yeast, sugar, laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, paper towels and toilet paper, eggs, cereals, oatmeal, and fruit juice. Most of these items are almost half the brand per ounce regular grocers charge.

4. Saving Dough: Catch bread items at local bakery outlets. Prices at the Orowheat outlet near my home are on average only a fourth of what they cost almost anywhere else. The outlets carry bread items from flour tortillas and sourdough baguettes, to coffee cakes and donuts.

5. Secondhand Savings: Buy children’s clothing from gently-used “secondhand boutiques.” These stores will have you doing a happy dance when you leer how much they can save you! (Children’s Orchard chain is my favorite, carrying boys and girls clothing from newborn through 16 years. Average price for a brand name pair of kid’s jeans, in excellent condition? $3.99!) Added Bonus? You can re-sell the clothing either back to the store, or online through auction sites.

6. Try this at home: Home haircuts. Try not to remember the childhood trauma of mom turning you into Spock, with one regrettable snip of the shears and give this a chance! It will require an initial investment of a pleasurable hair clipper space, mine is Wahl, (Wal-Mart, around $50.00) and a respectable pair of haircutting shears, (go to local beauty supply…mine were about $25.00) Add these up, and they still total the average haircut at a salon, with tip. *Note: Do not try on yourself, and do not try complicated or multi-layer cuts, until you are familiar with technique, or must we refer to the above “Spock trauma? ” I began with my sons, bribing them to sit still with suckers, eventually working my way up to my husband, bless his courageous heart!) Instructions on hair cutting techniques can be found on the web or in the instruction manual with the clippers. My average monthly savings for the four heads of hair I cut? Almost $130.00!

7. Free for all: Before buying any household goods/ appliances, clothes, etc. Visit websites that promote re-use. I like Craigslist and Free cycle. Find objective about anything, for free! Added bonus? Less waste piling up at local landfills! (Craigslist.org; Freecycle.com)

8. Bills, Bills, Bills: Opt to receive bills online, and to pay them online as well. Save a check, keep a stamp, save a tree. Added bonus: you just did something green! Aren’t you proud?

9. Twice as nice: Dilute cleaners. I use bleach on everything, so I dilute my all purpose bleach spray cleaners, by pouring half into a second, labeled bottle and filling both the rest of the way with water. This works on scrub type cleaners as well, not recommended for window cleaner. Handy tip * make hospital grade disinfectant by mixing 1 part bleach to ten parts water, spray on most hard surfaces, not recommended for colorfast items.

10. One more time: Re-use plastic bags. Any zipper bag, that has not contained meat, or perishables, can be cleaned and reused. Also, trash liner bags, simply dump trash out, and reuse (only practical if unpleasant odors and food are not on bag).

Being thrifty may be a habit brought on by financially trying times; however, effective savings habits are invaluable and can be lifetime savings tools. Being smart about what necessary expenditures is the first step to cutting back expenses. Then learning how to shop wisely and save on those necessities will have your wallet swelling in no time!