Your Money Matters

Here are some great ways to streamline your shopping making it seem almost effortless.

1. If at all possible try to combine a shopping trip to multiple stores if you indeed plan on purchasing items from different places. You will save on gas by combining your trip and also save time.
2. Make sure you have all your valid coupons in hand when leaving home. As for using coupons I will buy a store brand that is lower in cost. If I know that the name brand is vastly superior to the store brand I might consider paying a bit more within reason. Although I found that I can get used to the lower priced store brand quality with no problems.
3. If you return bottles or cans, remember to take them before you leave. I bring my empties in a large garbage bag and it keeps the empties together. Take the empty bag with you shopping and bring it back home to be reused for a trash bag.
4. To help from over spending on items you really don't need, take only the cash you feel you will need with you. Believe me, you won't miss those items after you get home.
5. Always take a list and stick to it without buying those impulse items, especially near the end of aisles of at checkout. I do the grocery shopping every week and know were most of the items are in each aisle. It's a lot easier if you chronologically list your items, you will save time not having to go back to an aisle looking for something you passed up and a chance of grabbing another item you really didn't want.
6. Some stores offer buy one get two or more. Take advantage of this if you know that you will use the items before they are past expiration or will spoil in a short time. Store brands of items like paper towels are great to look for sold like this.
7. When grocery shopping go solo. Having the kids, spouse and you all looking at different items can make it difficult to adhere to a shopping list. You'll be at the checkout with three times what you originally expected. I know, I've been there.

Planning a shopping trip carefully will ensure a fun and enjoyable shopping experience.

by Robert Tutsky

The problem was, that it was too time consuming counting and rolling up coins to even bother. But what could I do? I couldn't just throw them out, banks frown on bringing them a jar full of coins and telling them you're sure there's $23.97 in coins because you counted every one of them. Doesn't work.

The other option is a commercial coin counting machine. The grocery store I frequent has a machine that will accept coins and give you a return in dollars. Problem is the machine charges you for the service.

I was aware that there were personal coin counting machines you could buy but I couldn't justify spending a lot of money to count my coins. I finally came across a solution. They're plastic counting tubes that allow you to drop the coins in the tube until the excess falls out of a slot. At that point you know that you have the correct coin count. Once full, pour the coins into a wrapper, fold the ends, then off to the bank. Simple procedure. This worked great and was easy to do and actually fun, watching your pocket change add up to a worthwhile sum.

I bought my coin holders locally but you can get similar coin holders at Amazon here.

To make the holders stand up easily I cut holes in a scrap piece of plywood and it makes it much easier to store your coins before wrapping them. The paper coin wrappers or tubes are sold in stores but, don't buy them. Next time you're at your bank just ask for some, they are happy to give them to you.

Remember, even pennies add up.

I came across a millionaire who confessed that he will pick up a penny spotted on a parking lot. You've got to wonder how he became a millionaire to begin with.

Your burdensome pocket change can easily become money in the bank for you.