Frugal Living Tip #49 - Restaurant.com Certificates

Restaurant.com Gift Certificates

If you haven't checked out restaurant.com yet, you need to. They offer gift certificates to local restaurants at discounted prices. The inventory changes periodically, and so do the prices. Several times a year they will offer $25 vouchers for only $2! I have snagged a few of those over the years. Make sure you subscribe to their site to find out when they are going to have those deals.

As with any type of deal make sure you check the fine print on your voucher, how your savings will be deducted. Please don't forget to tip your server based on the original amount before the gift certificate was applied.

 

Frugal Living Tip #48 - Grocery Store Fuel Discounts

Grocery Store Fuel Discounts

I have vivid memories from the summer of 2008. I was home adjusting to life with a newborn and a very active 2&1/2 year old. I was going stir crazy in the house - it was too hot to be outside for long with a newborn. Gas was hovering close to $4 a gallon. It cost me over $60 to fill up my SUV. (I know some things have a way of repeating themselves.)

Well, my trip down memory lane has to do with the introduction of a fuel savings program in Richmond. Ukrop's Supermarkets and Uppy's Fuel Centers combined forces and introduced fuelperks! to us. The concept was that when you spent a certain amount you received a set credit off a gallon of gas.

It was a great idea - two things you had to buy groceries and gas!

In the last 5 years, we have lost Ukrop's to Martin's and Uppy's has been bought by another company, but the opportunity to buy groceries and save on gas is still available. In Richmond, Kroger also offers a discount at their fuel centers based on the amount you spend on groceries.

Do you take advantage of the fuel discounts available at the grocery store? Are there other stores that offer this type of discount?

 

Frugal Living Tip #47 - Use a Water Filter

Use a Water Filter

This is a topic that can cause great dissension, because it comes down to personal taste.

Steve has no problems drinking the tap water at our house. I swear it has a "taste" to it and can't drink it unless I get it from the refrigerator water filter. I can even tell when it is time to change the filter before the light comes because the water starts to get a taste.

Using a water filter for people like me, who swear they can taste a difference in tap water, can save lots of money compared to buying bottled water. Bottled water can range from ~$0.50 a bottle to over $2 a bottle! I am not saying to never buy bottled water, but for everyday use buying bottled water can be a huge expense.

I have several reusable water bottles that I fill-up almost daily. I try to use one even if I am going to be home for the day so that I can make sure I am drinking enough. I take one with me when I am out running errands, I take one to the YMCA, I take one to work, I have even been known to take one to church.

I will admit that if you were to visit my house you would find a case or two of bottled water. I keep it on hand in case we are traveling to keep in the car, or in case of an emergency and we don't have access to clean water. But, the bottom line is that a small investment in a reusable water bottle and a water filtration pitcher or faucet attachment can save you money in the long run.

 

Frugal Living Tip #45 - On-line Coupon Codes

On-line Coupon Codes

I mentioned in my post about prepaid phone cards that by purchasing them from an on-line site that I get them for less than the actual value. I also discussed the pros and cons to on-line shopping in the previous post.

If you have ever made a purchase on-line you have probably seen a box when you are entering info at check-out asking for a promo or discount code. It only takes a few minutes to look for the code and if you find one it can mean free shipping, an upgrade to a faster shipping option, or a discount on your total purchase. You can go to a few sites that provide a database for these codes such as retailmenot.com or couponcabin.com. The other place to look is an Internet search engine. (This is a great way to try to get more Swagbucks!). You can just enter into the search engine "promo code", "coupon code", or "check out code" and the name of the retailer you are shopping with.

Do you try to look for an on-line code when you are shopping on-line? Do you have other sites that you like to search for check out codes to save on on-line purchases?

Frugal Living Tip #43 - Prepaid Phone Cards

Prepaid Phone Cards

I have not had a cell phone contract for almost 6 years. I have had a cell phone, I just don't have a contract with a carrier.

You may be curious as to how this works. I realized at the time that I was not maximizing my plan and it was costing over $60 per month. My husband gets his cell phone from his employeer, so we weren't eligible for a multiphone discount. I was able to look at my usage and I figured out how many minutes I was using a month and purchased phone cards from T-mobile that would allow me to use all of the minutes at my own pace. At that time I was able to have a 1000 minute card that cost a little under $100 last me close to 3 months. It was a huge savings!

In the last year I have had to change my plan slightly. Because of rates per minute changing, the increasing costs of sending and receiving texts, and wanting a data plan to go with my iPhone, my husband found another prepaid plan that works out better. We stayed with T-Mobile and were able to take advantage of an unlimited text, talk, and data plan for $50 per month. Also, because this is not a contract, the plan is not subject to all the additional taxes of a traditional cellphone plan. We have found it to be a great fit for me. We are also able to buy the refill cards at a discount by purchasing them on-line from Callingmart.com. The plan has worked out great for me and I am saving money. I am able to change phones at anytime if I need to, or even plans if I discover a better one.

Do you have a cell phone contract or do you use prepaid mobile phone cards? Have any of you looked into these types of prepaid plans for your teenagers? I would love to hear if that has been helpful.

 

Frugal Living Tip #42 - Credit Card Rebates

Credit Card Rebates

If you are a Dave Ramsey fan you probably think that I am crazy suggesting a credit card. I am not encouraging you to go out and open up new credit card accounts. I also want you to understand that in order to receive the rebates that I am going to be talking about you need to pay your bill in full each month.

We have two credit cards that we routinely use - an American Express from Costco and a Visa from Old Navy. We primarily use the American Express because we get a rebate check once a year that pays us back a percentage of what we purchased with the card, both at Costco and outside of Costco. We have the Old Navy Visa to use with merchants that don't accept American Express. I get vouchers to use at Old Navy based on the dollar amount charged to the card.

We were recently invited to a dinner for a local charity. I realized when we were getting ready that I was all out of checks, and thought we would have to make a pledge and mail the check later. When we got there we realized that they accepted donations with credit cards. We made a donation with the Old Navy card to help out a local charity, and received a store credit to use for Christmas presents.

Do you use a credit card that you pay in full every month in order to receive a rebate?

Frugal Living Tip #41 - Warehouse Membership

Warehouse Membership

I know that there is a big divide among people who feel that warehouse memberships are or aren't worth the cost of the membership.

I feel that they can be, but like I have mentioned other times, it is important to know the prices for the items that you buy. I have found that I can find items like ground beef and chicken breast on sale at the grocery store for less than the everyday warehouse price. But, if I need a large quantity for a special event and there isn't a sale it is less expensive to buy it at the warehouse. I have found that I can get the best prices on organic milk and Greek yogurt at Costco. I get baking supplies from there along with items like nuts and dried fruit.

There are lots of items available at warehouse stores outside of huge packages of food and gallons of laundry detergent. I personally have found great deals on clothes for my family at Costco. They also have great deals on small appliances. I got a new crockpot for Christmas from there that was comparable to the ones I was looking at in other stores, and less expensive. My siblings and I went in on a Keurig for my dad for Christmas. We shopped around and found the features that my dad wanted along with the best price to be the one sold in Costco.

One of my favorite things to pickup in warehouse stores are gift cards. We have found gift cards worth $100 for only $80 to restaurants such as Ruth's Chris Steak House or Old Original Bookbinders. I have snagged those when I knew we would be having a big date and started our big night out with a 20% savings. They also have iTunes gift cards, movie tickets, and amusement parks.

Do you have a warehouse membership? Do you use it to buy groceries and household items, or do you buy other items?

Frugal Living Tip #40 - Reusable Containers

Reusable Containers

First Day of School Lunch

I have an entire shelf in one of my kitchen cabinets devoted to plastic storage containers. I use them primarily to store leftovers from a meal. This summer when I was getting my oldest daughter ready to start first grade I had a great idea. (Ok, really I saw something similar on Pinterest.). Use a reusable container with multiple sections to send her lunch to school in place of plastic bags. You can save money and "be green" from using reusable containers instead of plastic baggies for lunch and snacks.

I found a set of Ziploc containers that had three compartments. We were also looking for a new lunch box at the time so we made sure that that container fit inside the lunch box. We have now made it over half way through the school year and we are still using the two containers I bought back in August. She takes her lunch four days a week and gets a hot lunch once of week when they deliver pizza to the school. I also noticed that she is eating more of her lunch because she sees it all at once versus opening up multiple baggies and containers. I purchased a pack of silicone cupcake cups that I use to add a small item, like grapes, to the large section. The only thing disposable right now is her paper napkin.

I purchased a three pack of cloth snack bags that I send snack to preschool for my other two kids. They like to take some sort of dry cereal or crackers mixed with Craisins so all I have to do is dump out the crumbs and wash the bags once a week.

All three of my children take water in a reusable water bottle to school for their drinks.

Do you use reusable containers for lunch and snacks? Do you use them for things other than good storage? I would love to hear the ways that you repurpose them.

 

Frugal Living Tip #39 - Host a Party

Host a Party

You are probably wondering where I am going with this. I am referring to hosting a direct sales party. There are an assortment of companies that sell jewelry, kitchen products, bags, organizational items, or food storage. I have hosted parties in the past for Pampered Chef, Thirty-One, and Premier Jewelry. The concept is you invite your friends over, a consultant from the company comes over and shows you and your friends some of the products and gives you a catalog to see other items.

The hostess can earn a lot of free products and additional discounts. The benefits vary with each company, and generally the higher your party sales are the more benefits you receive.

I know that a lot of people don't like to attend these types of parties because they feel pressured into buying something, or spending money that they shouldn't. I make it very clear to anyone who comes to one of these parties in my home, that they are under no pressure to buy anything. I never want anyone to think that I invited them over just to buy something. You also have an option to have a catalog only party. It can be really easy these days with catalogs available on-line and promoting it with social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

I would suggest hosting a party if you see a catalog item that you like, but it falls out of your price range. I have been able to get several big ticket items at a 50-60% discount thanks to hosting these types of parties.

Have you ever hosted a direct sales party? Did you get items that you wanted for free or discounted? Do you have a favorite company that you like to order from?

 

Frugal Living Tip #38 - Online Bill Paying

Online Bill Paying

We all have bills that we have to pay on a regular basis- mortgage, electricity, phone, cable, just to name a few. The question is how do you pay them? Do you write a check and mail it in a few days before it is due?

My husband actually takes care of our bills, but we have started using online bill pay. He has us signed up now to use an online service - mycheckfree.com. We have participating companies, such as Dominion Virginia Power, send our bill to them. They in turn send us an e-mail notifying us of a new bill and for us to log into our account to view it. We can then schedule the payment for after a paycheck has been deposited, but before it is due. Check with your bank to see if they offer a similar service for free.

Paying bills online not only saves us the cost of a stamp and writing a check (which you are also paying for), but it also keeps us from misplacing a bill and having to pay a late fee.

Do you use online bill pay for any of your regularly occurring bills?

 

Frugal Living Tip #37 - Pay With Cash

Pay With Cash

I have a confession to make. I talk about saving money on all kinds of things, but I like to get my nails done. There is just something about having a manicure and a pedicure that makes me feel pretty even on the days when I barely get out of yoga pants.

Now you are wondering what on earth does this have to do with today's frugal tip. Even though I am going to the nail place in the mall to get a pedicure - I make sure I have cash on hand. They give me a punch on my punch card, and when I have 5 punches I get 2 free nail designs.

Nail places aren't the only place that you can receive a savings by offering to pay cash instead of using plastic (retailers have to pay a transaction fee whenever they process a card, even a debit card). You can bargain yourself down on a furniture purchase or a car purchase. (You can also work it out to bring in a cashier check so that you don't have to carry around large sums of money.) The other great thing about paying cash for big purchases - you aren't acquiring debt, or paying extra interest.

Have you ever asked for a discount if you pay upfront in cash for the entire purchase? What are some places that you can save a little by paying with cash?

Frugal Living Tip #34 - Contacting Manufacturers Part 2

Contacting Manufacturers Part 2

I talked about contacting manufacturers in tip #26 to obtain coupons and free samples. Have you ever had an item that you like, break, and then you can't find replacement parts? Throw them away and buy a new one? Don't do that - contact the manufacturer.

I recently had two OXO plastic storage container bases break. I had had them for several years and knew that I had broken them. I had looked in several different stores for replacement containers (the special lid was still functional, and that is why I wanted to replace just the base). I finally sat down one day and searched the company's website looking for replacement parts. I couldn't find any. I picked up the phone and called the toll free number. I talked to a representative and explained what had happened and asked if I could purchase just the container base. I was told that they did not sell them as individual parts, but when I told her what sizes I needed, she offered to send them to me at no charge! I was beyond excited and I figured it saved me close to $20.

I have also found replacement parts for the kids' sippy cups, some I had to pay for, some I got for free. The point is that I saved an unnecessary piece of plastic from going in the trash, and I saved money by replacing a small part and not the entire item.

Have you ever contacted a manufacturer for replacement parts? I would love to hear your story.

 

Frugal Living Tip #23 - The Grocery Game

The Grocery Game

I am going to start off with my disclaimer- I am in no way being paid or receiving any compensation for this post.

With that said there may be many of you who are familiar The Grocery Game (TGG). I am copying a description of what they provide from their site.

The Grocery Game, launched in 2000, is the oldest and largest grocery savings website in the U.S. We provide members with weekly online, all-in-one lists (called Teri's Lists) of tens of thousands of grocery deals at over 150 local grocery and drug stores, coast to coast.

Teri's Lists track more important information than ANY site out there, matching sales with manufacturers' coupons, online printable coupons, coupons found in newspaper inserts and manufacturer coupons that can be sent to store loyalty cards. We are also the only site to track almost impossible to find unadvertised sales as well as sales trends.

The great thing about TGG is that they already have the deals figured out for you. You can choose how you want to view your list, items can be broken down the percentage of saving, or by the color codes based on items that are free, stock-up prices, or just buy what you need prices. I also like that you can remove items you don't shop for like baby or pet items. It really is a matter of just browsing the list, checking off what I want, and then the list tells me where to find the coupons. It gives me links to printable ones and to ones that I need to add to my store card. I already file my weekly inserts so I just have to grab the file, find the insert, and clip what I need.

When there is a promotion that you need to buy certain items, such as Buy 10 save $5, it tells me that it is part of that sale so that I get the right number. It also keeps me aware of the requirements for the coupon. If the coupon is a save $1 off 2, TGG tells me to buy 2 items.

The one downfall is that the site is not great at posting or sharing other promotions that manufacturers may have, such as Catalina deals when you buy certain products.

There is a fee for subscribing to TGG - it is $10 for the first store and $5 for each additional every 8 weeks. Personally, I tried every store in my area during the free trial period, then decided to only keep Kroger. I figure that it has easily allowed me to save more than an additional $10 every 8 weeks.

I have found that TGG can really help people that are first learning how to coupon because it makes it easy to see what is a good deal and where to find the coupons. If you haven't tried it out before, look into subscribing for a 4 week free trial. (Just make sure to make a note of when it ends so you don't get charged if you don't want to keep it, or all of the stores you signed up for.). If you would like to help me get some "free weeks" leave a comment with you e-mail address and I will give you mine for a referral credit. Don't worry all comments left here go to me to approve before posting, so it won't be made public. :)

Have any of you tried or currently use TGG? How do yo feel it compares to other free sites such as blogs and deal sites?

Frugal Living Tip #20 - Rebate Checks

Rebate Checks

My Prepaid Rebate Card

I mentioned prepaid rebate gift cards very briefly in my last post. It was coincidental that as I was getting ready to begin this post, I received a $15 prepaid gift card as a rebate from Proctor & Gamble in the mail.

Rebates are not anything new, but they are another way to increase your savings. They require a little bit of work and you have to make sure that you follow all of the instructions and guidelines on the rebate form and the fine print at the bottom of the form.

This is another case where organization helps. I try to paper clip the receipts to the paperwork in the event I don't have all of the requirements needed or time to fill it out immediately. I also try to clip any UPC's that are required before I put the items away from my shopping trip. I used to make copies of all of my receipts and forms. I generally only do this on higher value rebates like $10 or higher.

Rebates are becoming easier to submit via the Internet. Staples is a great example of easily submitting rebates on-line using codes that print out on your receipt. I was able to do this recently also with a Starbucks coffee purchase. I just had to submit pictures, that we took with a cell phone, of the receipt. It can still take 4-6 weeks for these electronic ones to be processed and to receive your check, but not having to pay postage is another savings!

Do you submit rebates on a regular basis? Do you have any tips for keeping everything together?

 

Frugal Living Tip #19 - Gift Card Promotions

Gift Card Promotions

I am sure you have seen the store sales flyer that advertises if you buy a certain number of a select item or group of items you will get a gift card for a certain amount. I have seen these in numerous places, sometimes it means that you still have to fill out a rebate form and mail it in for a prepaid credit card. My favorite ones though are the ones that Target offers.

The Target ones are usually rather straight forward and the great thing is they are available to use immediately after the transaction is complete. I have bought just the select items in one transaction and then loaded the rest of my purchases on the counter to use the gift card and get the savings in my second transaction. I sometimes hold onto them if they are a lower amount like, $5, and will use it to fulfill the promise of a snack on our way out to my kids for being good while we were shopping. I also hold onto them to redeem on a future gift card offer. The great thing about the gift cards is that they don't expire!

I know someone is reading this and shaking their head wondering how on earth is buying stuff to get a gift card frugal? Well, you are right. If you are buying something that you don't need it is not frugal. Target often combines gift cards to buying multiple packs of diapers, toilet paper, or Starbucks coffee beans---Things that I buy on a regular basis and can combine with manufacturer and sometimes store coupons to get a really good deal. When I factor in the additional savings that I am getting back in the form of a gift card it can make the deal even better. Yes, it can be seen as "bait" to get me back into the store. But to be honest, I was going to come back anyway - with or without the gift card.

It is important to check the policy or read the fine print at other stores when they have this type of offer. I remember several years ago having my plan fail when I went Christmas shopping at Toys R Us with a coupon for a gift card if I spent a certain amount. I knew I was going to be buying that much and was excited to get a little bit back, only to realize that the gift card that I was getting was not going to be activated until 6 hours after my purchase - forcing me to come back and use it. I still saw the gift card as a savings, like I said I already knew I was going to be spending that amount. I didn't add extra things to my cart to make me hit the target. I just had to be strategic about when to come back and what to buy the next time.

I have also used $5 Target gift cards that I didn't immediately redeem to give out to homeless people on the street. I figure it allows them to maybe get some small toiletries or if nothing else get some food at the snack bar.

Do you utilize gift card offers? Do you normally hold onto the gift card or do you redeem it right away?

Please feel free to share any tips that you have!

 

Frugal Living Tip #18 - Understanding Store Policies

Understanding Store Policies

Not knowing the store policies can cost you extra money. It can be things like a limit in how many days following the purchase you have to return an item, their coupon policy, or what items are included in a sale.

One thing I learned as a child shopping with my mom is always ask if an item can be returned. But, even if it can be returned it is important to know if there are any exceptions in when or where an item can be returned. There can be different time frames on different items. Some stores are starting to print on their receipts how long the receipt is valid for returns and that is making it easier for them and us. Purchases that include electronics or video games usually have a short window of opportunity and generally have to be in the original unopened package. I recently saw a sign in a store that clearance items with a certain percentage off or higher had to be returned within 3 days. It is also important to make sure that if you are buying an item from a store with multiple locations that you can return it to a different location.

Not knowing that there is a limit to how many coupons a store accepts, will allow to double, or will combine with other offers can also cause your savings to diminish. It is also a huge time and frustration saver to know whether or not they will accept printable coupons and if their is a limit on the amount of the coupon. I have not found a store in the Richmond area that will accept a coupon printed from my computer that has the word free in it. That means wording such as "buy 1 get 1 free" or just a free item up to a certain dollar amount.

The other thing I have had happen to me is that I have a coupon, or see advertised a sale and select a few things to purchase, only to get to the register and have a higher total than anticipated. It is usually then that I discover the item is not part of the sale or covered by the coupon. It could be because the item is already on sale and the coupon is for regularly priced merchandise only. It could be that the item is one of the gazillion exclusions that I thought I read, but somehow overlooked in the fine print at the bottom of the coupon. It could also just be that it had been put in the wrong place by someone.

My best advice is to actually go to the store website and look for their coupon policy, if possible print it and take it with you. I have discovered that cashiers do not always understand coupons. Having the policy with you can help you out. Remember that if you think you are using the coupons correctly and the cashier refuses to accept it you can always ask to talk with a manager or finish your transaction and then take the items in question over to a customer service desk.

Please feel free to share any tips or personal stories!

 

Frugal Living Tip #17 - Understanding Types of Coupons

Understanding Types of Coupons

You may have realized that next to the expiration date on most coupons is the phrase "manufacturer coupon". This of course means that the coupon was released by the company that makes that particular product.

The other thing you may notice on manufacturer coupons is the phrase "Do Not Double". This is really only a concern if you shop at a store that doubles manufacturer coupons.

You can load coupons to your store loyalty cards. I know that I have received e-mails from both Kroger and Martin's with special coupons for our household. Make sure you have registred your card with each store to get these offers. These coupons have been for both store brand and brand name items. The Kroger site allows you to add lots of manufacturer coupons to your card. These coupons will not double like some manufacturer ones will in my area. You also cannot use these with a manufacturer coupon unless you are buying more than the electronic coupon covers.

You may have also noticed that there are a few coupons that say "store coupon" and then have the store name and logo on the coupon. Target store coupons say "Target Coupon". In case you are wondering where you can find the store coupons. Target coupons are occasionally in the Sunday paper, but they always have them available on their site. Walgreens has their store coupons at the front of the store in the monthly coupon booklets. CVS has a machine that prints coupons at the front of the store when you scan your CVS card.

What you may not realize is that you can "stack" manufacturer coupons and store coupons. Target, Walgreens, and CVS are the stores that I have been able to do this. This can be a big savings!

Please feel free to add any information I may have missed or contact me with any questions.

 

Frugal Living Tip #16 - Buy Generic Holiday & Seasonal Items

Buy Generic Holiday and Seasonal Items

My All Occasion Gift Bags

If you read tip #15, you may think I am referring to store brand items again. That is not at all what I mean.

What I mean is buying items that can work for more than one occasion. This can mean buying things like wrapping paper and gift bags in solid colors or patterns that can work for more than just birthdays or showers. Buying decorations that can extend past the holiday and represent the season, like pumpkins and fallen leaves in the fall, and snowmen in the winter as opposed to more specific Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas decorations like black cats, turkeys and Santa Claus.

You can even use this idea for party or shower decorations. Instead of buying everything within a theme, focus on a color that coordinates with it and just get a few of the themed items - or better yet use what you have available. Items like teddy bears, trucks, trains, dolls, books, or blocks for a baby shower or candles and flowers for a bridal shower. Let the food be part of the decorations. Curly lettuce can make a plain serving platter look more colorful and attractive.

You may even want to look for notecards that you can add to a gift instead of buying a specific card. You can also use these for thank you notes, or just a note to let someone know you are thinking about them.

When you have generic items available it can save you money and a trip to the store.

Do you have any ways that you use generic themed items?

 

Frugal Living Tip #15 - Buy Generic

Buy Generic -Store Brands

As a pharmacist I am always encouraging my patients to buy the generic equivalent of what they needed. This is true of over the counter medications and prescription drugs. There were always a few exceptions, and I won't go into those, but generally speaking store brand ibuprofen is a huge cost savings compared to brand name Advil.

This is true of lots of items in the grocery store. I haven't found coupons in years for a good deal on canned beans or tomato sauce for taco or chili nights. I have learned to wait until I see a good sale or an in-store deal. The store brands will follow the sales cycles that I mentioned a few post back.

Although I have been satisfied with the majority of my store brand purchases, the big one that I haven't been happy with is paper products, like toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues.

How about you, do you buy store brands? Are there some products that you will only buy the brand name?

Frugal Living Tip #14 - Wait To Buy

Waiting to Buy: Avoiding Impulse Shopping

I have talked about understanding sales cycles and buying this season's clearance for next year. Avoiding impulse shopping falls in the same category.

My husband, Steve, and I are both big research before we buy people when it comes to a high dollar purchase. We always check consumer reports and any reviews along with shopping around for the best price. The jeweler who sold Steve my engagement ring commented every time we stopped in to get it cleaned and inspected, that he had never had a customer who had done as much research as Steve. I like to think that reflects highly on him choosing me. :)

I realized recently that this concept needs to applied more diligently to our everyday lives. I enjoy being able to go through the Starbucks drive-thru for a pick me up when I am out in the afternoon, but spending $3 on a cup of coffee is far from a frugal idea. For the record, I don't do this daily but at least 2-3 times a week, and that can add up significantly. If I can forgo the instant gratification of hitting the drive-thru and wait a few minutes and make my own cup of coffee at home it can be a savings of $6 -$9 a week, which leads to a $24-$36 savings a month, and $288-$432 savings a year!

Starbucks may not be your weakness, but perhaps adding miscellaneous items to your grocery cart that aren't on sale or needed for your weekly menu plan is. Buying an item from the clearance rack may save you some money from the original price, but if it isn't something that you really need or have a definite use for, it is not a savings. I know that I have personally found lots of "deals" that I ended up not using and then placing them in a goodwill or yard sale pile.

The bottom line is if it isn't on your list or something that you have been looking for then buying it - even on sale - isn't a savings. Especially if it ends up being clutter or something that you have to end up giving away.