Simple Ways to Increase Your Savings

The economy has everyone looking for ways to reduce their expenses and many are being stretched beyond their financial breaking point, so finding ways to save has become a priority. Luckily there are simple ways to reduce expenses without making drastic changes. Some people find that making small changes to their spending produces ripple effects that give them savings they didn’t realize were possible. Others find that small changes help build their confidence and allow them to step into larger changes that improve their entire financial picture. In order to start making those small changes all you need is a willingness to be proactive and to ask questions when you spend money. Using these techniques automatically increases your knowledge about the stores, products and services that benefit from your money. If you don’t involve yourself with the basics of how and when you spend money, you may find yourself consistently paying more than necessary for the same products and services. Being proactive means that you spend a few minutes in preparation before a shopping trip to think about what you intend to buy and what discounts may be available. And if you’re unfamiliar with the available discounts for that store, asking questions helps you connect with the staff plus it allows you to learn about opportunities that may be new to you. Once you put these small changes into practice you’ll find that discount opportunities begin to happen without much effort on your part.

If you currently use store coupons try taking them to the next level by finding out if your favorite stores accept competitor coupons. Places like Michael’s and Jo-Ann Fabrics and Linen-n-Things and Bed Bath & Beyond accept each other’s coupons. Another way to take advantage of this benefit is to use this technique at pharmacies that offer gift cards for new or transferred prescriptions. Fry’s, CVS and Albertson’s are just a few examples of stores that accept competitor coupons for new and transferred prescriptions. In general this concept is based on price matching which is a sales technique that many stores use, so it’s another reason to be proactive and to ask questions. Especially in this economy, ask for what you want in regards to perks or discounts and remember that some companies are actually struggling to make ends meet and they’re more than willing to work with you. But you’ll never know until you ask and if you don’t receive a discount all you lost was a few moments of your time - isn’t that worth the possible reward?

Kathy Church – Spending Coach
Sensible Spending, LLC
YourSensibleSpending