Living Smart from the Start

In your early years, avoid shopping at elaborate malls. These merchants pay dearly for their space and exposure there. That cost is then passed on to the consumers. That’s business. However, malls do offer the following perks:

1. You can see what's current in merchandising and fashion trends.

2. You can learn current market values.

3. You can learn about competitive pricing.

Good bargains can be found in their post-season sales.

Experiment with store brand foods and unfamiliar generic brands to stretch your food dollars. Many major food store chains contract with food packaging and canning companies for use of their products for their own private labeling. (By the way, this is also true of some cosmetic companies.) In most cases, the product is the same quality as in name-brand labels, but the cost is considerably less due to bulk purchasing and private labeling. These savings are then passed on to the consumer at the retail level.

For the greatest bargains on meats, poultry and other food products, shop the first of the month, whenever possible. That's when many people receive their monthly checks or food allowances. Most supermarket chains stock heavily at this time, and reduce prices to encourage volume shopping. In fact, you will find that family-size packages of steaks, chops and poultry are generally priced at 20 to 40 cents less per pound than smaller packages of the same cuts. This is when I clean, season and freeze meal-sized packages for later use. Now you are saving money and time in your busy life.

We pay higher prices for the convenience of prepared or pre-cooked foods. Use your cookbook and plan meals in advance instead. My personal favorite cook book is 'Better Homes and Gardens'.

If you already own an automobile, you are in a better position to take advantage of more money-saving options. One of those options is 'Closeout Stores'. They are often located in suburban neighborhoods because they cater to homeowners and families. This is where I begin shopping for almost everything. These stores are stocked from discontinued merchandise from various manufacturers, as well as from other store-chains’ liquidations. Their inventory includes food products, cosmetics, clothing, tools, greeting cards, cleaning products, electronics and sometimes furniture. You will be amazed at the savings you will realize, without sacrificing quality.

Ladies, learn how to take care of your own hair and nails in your early years. It would be wise to consult your favorite hairdresser to learn how to use the proper products and tools for your hair type, but doing-it-yourself can save you hundreds of dollars over a year’s time. When you are ready for a new cut or color, then you should return to your favorite hairdresser. If you are not established with a particular hairdresser, try a beauty school for tremendous savings. The instructor will be on-hand to monitor the procedure of the student, so there is less gamble with mistakes by choosing this option.