Super Mom Secrets to Bargain Shopping | Family

By Blair Critch
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With the price of everything going up these days, it's no wonder that many moms are looking for hints and tips when it comes to bargain shopping. While you of course will never be able to completely eliminate your grocery or utility bills, there are many things you can do to reduce your costs for everything. And of course being able to save even a few dollars here and there can really add up in the long run! So if you are interested in bargain shopping for yourself and your family, here are some quick and easy ways you can go about doing this.

The first things to remember is that bargain shopping begins before you even leave your house. Nothing is a bargain if you don't need it and won't use it! When it comes to grocery shopping, it helps to make a list or a plan of what you'll be eating this week and then go through your cupboards and refrigerator to see what you'll need. Just walking through the store randomly tossing items into your cart is no way to go about your bargain shopping. Remember, if it goes to waste it was no real bargain! So do some planning and then make a list, and be determined to stick to it. Another thing you can do for bargain shopping is to invest in a freezer or a refrigerator with a larger freezer attached. When you find great bargains on meats or vegetables you'll need a place to store them! You can also set aside some pantry space for staples you'll need and can buy in larger quantities. Remember that your pantry doesn't necessarily need to be in your kitchen; if you have a hall closet with space or a shelf in a spare room, this can work just as well.

Buying in bulk is great for bargain shopping. If you don't have a membership to a warehouse club, it's time to get one especially if you have a large family and need to buy staples like flour, sugar, soup, and condiments in larger quantities. Of course you don't want to stock up on items that will go bad before you can use them so make your decisions wisely. A warehouse club membership also helps when bargain shopping for items you'll need in the bathroom, such as soap, shampoo, toilet paper, feminine hygiene, and so on. Since your paper products have no expiration date and your shampoo and soap will last for years, buying in larger quantities can save you hundreds in the long run.

One great motivation for bargain shopping is to start keeping a price book. This doesn't need to be anything fancy; even an Excel spreadsheet will do. Make a note of the stores you regularly shop at and the prices of items you buy repeatedly. You'll need to note the quantities and sale prices as well. If you keep track of how much money you're saving through your bargain shopping efforts this can really help you to stay motivated to shop that warehouse or hunt down sales on a regular basis.

Remember when bargain shopping that you may also need to show some creativity as to where you shop as well. Resale shops and closeout stores are great places for designer clothes without the designer price tag, as well as great bargains on furniture, dishes, kitchen wares, and items like these. Don't forget to look at eBay, CraigsList, and other online sales sites for big ticket items such as furniture, appliances, electronics, sporting goods, and so on. You can even try bargain shopping at local dollar stores, as many have name brands of toiletry items, some grocery items, paper goods, and a wealth of other things you need.

And don't forget the old standards of clipping coupons, looking at weekend circulars, and hints and tips such as these so that you can be sure you're getting the best deals for your bargain shopping.

About the Author

Blair Julia Critch
Married with two children: Jeremiah (4) and Noah (2)
Former Kindergarten Teacher
Current Home Maker/Entrepreneur

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