For the student on a budget (yes that would be all of us)

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I used to do a lot of my shopping at the dollar store years ago when my apartment was 250 plus utilities, and i had one job making 4.75 an hour.

That was before the wal-mart super center went in. During the time when i was living with someone that made a good living, i had the money and the means to shop around for the better deals.

I went to a place called Save-A-Lot which is known for having cheaper food. Cheaper to a point. A small can of mushrooms (pieces and stems) cost 47 cents there, and here at wal-mart they are 50 cents, but the walmart can has more mushrooms when you empty both cans out and compare the amount. The peanut butter and jelly was cheaper from the discount place but we don't have anything like that up here anymore. Wal-mart's my cheapest bet up here when i'm sticking for brand names.

*Compare store ads (quite a few can be found online) before heading out. I drive by one grocery store on my way to another that has great deals on canned food that the other can't beat.

*Make a list that goes in order of the store isles, and stick to it as much as possible. I say as much as possible because something chocolate will always sneak in.

*Take a calculator and add up your food as your putting it in the cart, if it is 2.59, put in 3.00. Easier to remember the even number if you accidently shut off the calculator.

*If you know someone with a Sam's Club card, you might be able to tag along to get the mass box of toilet paper. Compare though because it's not always going to be cheaper. I've noticed that the mass pack of note paper from the office supply store isn't as cheap as they advertise

[angelac1978]

another thing to remember is that Walmart, Target and other major chains will honor or even beat their competitors prices. So if you are going to Walmart anyway, but Target has a better deal on toilet paper, or Slim Fast (my breakfast of choice ) or whatever, take the Target sale paper with you and show it to the cashier when you go through check out.

Also coupons, coupons coupons! If you live near a Kroger or even a Walmart that has the self scanners, you know where you do them yourself, you can used expired coupons! I do this all the time, and only once has the computer not taken the coupon. And I'm not talking a few days or weeks expired, I mean coupons that have expired last November will still work.

A

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

Great ideas! Like the first posted when I go grocery shopping I try to keep a running total of how much I am spending, I think that helps me not buy food I really don't need.

I know walmart used to have calculators on there shopping carts but they took them off I bet they were loosing money cause people were not spending so much....lol

Marilyn

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I asked my dad why (he works for wal-mart) they took off the calculators. The given reason was that they broke easily and it took no time for the battery to croak since they weren't solar powered.

It'd be nice to find one that attaches itself to the cart bar though.

[Jen2]

I also almost never eat out. If I do it's to treat myself for a job well done. I have a great lunch bag that has a place in it for one of those freezer pouches. I keep enough stuff in here to last me throughout the day, because at times, I am away from home from 4:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.. I also have a Tupper Wear type of water bottle that I refill throughout the day. Water is free and your skin and body will love you for drinking it.

[memphispanda, RN]

Using expired coupons is a BAD idea, even if the computer accepts the coupon. It's a form of fraud and the store doesn't get reimbursed for the coupon. There are plenty of legitimate coupons out, so use them, not ones that will end up causing the store to change it's coupon policy.

Other things to do to save money:

Shop at Big Lots. They have a lot of stuff for way cheaper than you would pay at regular retailers.

Check thrift stores for scrubs/uniforms. I have found some great deals that way!

Yard sales if you have time to go. They'll probably be tapering off because school is back in session, but you can find clothes, furniture, etc bargains.

Try carpooling to school if you can.

Don't forget to turn off lights and do all those energy saving things.