Consumers » Simple steps can lead to big ways to cuts costs.By Lesley Mitchell
For many people trying to save money, cutting back in a number of areas at once often can be overwhelming.
But making one small change at a time is much easier. That's the philosophy behind this seven days to savings guide, which details a week's worth of actions you can take and places you can go that can help save money.
Let's start with the ever-changing world of coupons.
Go online for grocery savings » The Sunday newspaper is a great source of discount coupons. But so are sites such as Coupons.com, SmartSource.com and RedPlum.com.
Another great online source is databases, or "generators," such as AFullCup.com or HotCouponWorld.com. These sites include links to scores of coupons from a variety of sources that can be printed at home. All of the big grocery chains accept these coupons.
Some consumers don't use coupons because they don't want to spend time clipping and stuffing coupons in a binder. The beauty of these online sites is that users can print only what will be used on the next shopping trip.
And for those who do like coupons from the newspaper or direct mail, don't clip them until you need them. Simply throw them into a folder and clip specific
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ones only after you have reviewed the weekly sale ads and know what you want to buy.
"It's tempting to just go crazy printing each and every coupon, but if you do this you'll find you spend more on ink and paper than you end up saving in the grocery store," said Jessica Williams, author of the UtahDealDiva blog. "Certainly print the high-value coupons, especially if you use the product frequently. As for the others, wait for a great sale, then go online and print your coupons."
Stick with store brands » Still not interested in coupons? OK, forget all that and consider buying more store brands from the grocery. Most chains provide these alternatives in almost every area of the store, and they are nearly always less expensive than their brand-name counterparts. During the economic downturn, as shoppers have become more cost conscious, many stores have expanded their lines of store brands and improved them.
At Target, for example, all of the retailer's store-brand baby-care items -- which feature new and surprisingly stylish labeling -- are less expensive than the Johnson & Johnson's brand. In fact some of Target's branded items are less expensive than when a brand-name equivalent is purchased with a discount coupon.
Stop by a dollar store » Sure, there's a lot of junky stuff in the Dollar Trees and Honk's stores of the world, and not all deals are good deals. But shoppers can save money at these stores, especially on items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, kitchen gadgets and sponges. The savings can add up on things you use regularly, so make it a once-a-month stop.
Don't forget the library » Today's libraries, of course, are more than just about printed books. They offer cost-saving ideas in audio books, DVDs, and in Utah, through a host of other measures, such as state park passes. Try hitting a different library within the same system every two weeks, as each library provides different selections. If you have small children, get into the library habit early.
Buy secondhand» This weekend, hit at least one garage sale. Or stop by a thrift store on your way home from work or while you're running errands. The Wasatch Front benefits from having not only Savers and Salvation Army stores, but the LDS Church-owned Deseret Industries chain, as well. Buying secondhand items, from clothes for the kids to things for your home, can yield huge savings. Check out Craigslist.com and other classified ad sites. Even better, check out Freecycle.org, which lists items people are trying to give away for free.
Check your credit report (for free) » Go to Annualcreditreport.com. Under federal law, consumers may order one report from each bureau -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion -- annually through this site. That means you could get one free report every four months.
Just how is this going to save you money?
It's not unusual for credit reports to have errors. Ordering a free report gives you an opportunity to find and fix them, which could keep your credit rating from taking a dip. This is important because your credit has an impact on what you pay for such expenses as auto insurance. Right or wrong, most insurance companies consider people with good credit better risks than those with bad credit.
Also, those with better credit ratings get lower mortgage rates. In other words, your credit report can either save you or cost you thousands of dollars each year.
Have fun with freebies » For quality free stuff, troll Web sites such as Freebies4Mom.com, CouponCravings.com, MoneySavingMom.com and TheFreebieBlogger.com. Amid the worst recession since the Great Depression, companies are giving away all kinds of good free stuff. These sites don't miss many of the best deals.
Work a few freebies into your life, and you could save even more money. This summer, companies have given away free restaurant meals, grocery items and a host of other goods. There's also free entertainment in the form of concerts, museum visits and other activities throughout the state on a regular basis. Each time you enjoy a freebie, that's a bit more money you don't have to take out of your wallet. And in times like these, that's priceless
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