Money Saving Ideas

• Money Saving Tips For Single Moms: Reader Question

  15 Comments

  

  I became a single mother 6 months ago, when my husband and I got divorced. I am now trying to figure out how to juggle a job, my 3 children as well as staying on budget.

  I’m worried that since there is only one income in our home now, that I won’t make enough money to cover all the bills and am going to wind up in a big pile of debt. Do you have any money saving tips for single moms that you can share with me? -Amanda

  Do you have any ideas for Amanda? Please share in the comments!

  Have a question you’d like to ask the readers of MrsJanuary.com? Send an email.

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• Saving Money: Do You Want to Live a More Enjoyable Life?

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  photo credit: Steven A. Hill

  Saving money should be an integral part of everyone’s finances. It’s not only important to spend your money wisely, but it’s also important to save your money wisely. You need to save as much money as you possibly can to better improve your future.

  Don’t you want to live a life free of debt, and with enough money in savings that you can do whatever you want to do with your life?

  That’s where saving money comes in. If you use a budget to manage your finances (and I really hope you do), make sure that saving money is a big part of it.

  Don’t have enough money to save after you pay all of your bills?

  This is something I hear all the time. After all of your mandatory bills are paid, there is simply no money left over to put into savings.

  If that’s your problem, then here is what you need to do: start treating savings as a mandatory bill.

  I strongly believe that paying yourself first is crucial. When you treat your savings account as a bill that absolutely must be paid, it no longer becomes difficult to save money.

  How much you should be saving

  Another concern that I hear quite often is this: “I can’t figure how much I need to save, so I don’t bother”. Please don’t let this concern deter you from saving money. Even if you don’t know how much you “should” save, you definitely need to be saving something.

  My friend Gail Vaz-Oxlade tells people that you need to be saving 10% of your monthly income, to which I agree. That’s for retirement. If you want to buy a house, or car, or go on a fancy vacation – that’s additional savings.

  If saving money is difficult for you, start off by saving a minimum of 5% of your income to put towards your retirement. Once that becomes easy, bump it up to 10%. If you need to, set it up so that your savings is automatically deducted from your paycheck and put into a retirement account (or wherever else you keep your retirement savings).

  Not sure what you need to save for?

  Everyone has very different savings goals. Of course, retirement is the number one thing that everyone needs to be saving for.

  In addition to that, you should also have an emergency fund to help you out if you become critically injured and can’t work for awhile, suffer a job loss or if your car breaks down and needs to be repaired.

  Those are the two areas of savings that should be in your budget. If you want to buy something, such as a vehicle, a home, new furniture, or anything of that nature, you will also need to save for those items – separately.

  My husband and I currently have retirement savings, an RESP account for our children, an emergency fund, and vacation savings. Up until about a month ago, we also had a house fund. When we want to buy something, like a television, new bedding, or a gaming system, we make the decision and then start saving by putting away a bit of money every month.

  Saving money is extremely important not only to be sure you can afford the things you buy, but to simply live a more enjoyable life. Don’t you agree that life would be more enjoyable if you knew you could afford the things and experiences you want?

  As William Shatner once said: If saving money is wrong, I don’t want to be right! {Tweet This}

  Do you have challenges with saving money or is it easy for you?

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• 6 Ways to Save Money on Christmas Gifts

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  photo credit: the nest

  This is a guest post by Jasmine of Canadian Savers.

  Halloween is over, and that means Christmas is near!

  I get so excited around this time of year. Not only about all the awesome gifts I get to give, but also because I get to see all the people I care about under the same roof.

  Here’s the thing: Christmas requires a budget of its own, and it’s about time you start saving for your Christmas shopping (if you haven’t already!). Here are a few tips to help you save money on Christmas gifts:

  1. Take advantage of post-Christmas sales

  Alright, so I know this may sound a bit strange, but it’s a great way to save money on gift giving. The trick is to “predict” what you might want to give your loved ones next Christmas by shopping for their gifts right after this Christmas.

  The reason to do this is because you can save a lot of money. Sometimes you can save up to 90% off various gift products during this period (usually January, and sometimes into February).

  2. Shop for sale items

  If you want to save money, your goal should be to never pay full price for anything – ever.

  The next time you make a purchase, ask yourself this question: “why should I pay full price for this item when a sale is likely going to take place soon?”.

  Be patient and your savings can really start to add up.

  3. Give homemade gifts

  There’s nothing that shows how much you care for someone more than a homemade gift.

  It shows that you love that your friends and family enough to set time aside to create something thoughtful – just for them.

  If you don’t think that you have much free time to create these homemade gifts, consider just making them for your closest family and friends.

  4. Stick to your budget

  I cannot stress this enough – it’s really important to take control of your budget and limit the amount you plan to spend.

  Many of us make the mistake of buying expensive gifts for our loved ones, and yes, they totally deserve the best, but if you can’t afford to give expensive gifts, you shouldn’t.

  Don’t worry, they’ll understand, because I bet they face the same dilemma every year – just like you!

  5. Don’t forget your Canadian coupons

  Make sure that you always keep your coupons organized. Those coupons can save you tons of money.

  During this time of year especially, try not to leave your house without your coupon binder (or whatever else you have your coupons stashed in).

  Lots of clothing stores, such as Old Navy, Banana Republic, La Vie en Rose, Suzy Shier, and more, release printable coupons and online coupon codes to help you save money.

  Other stores, like Pier 1 Imports for example, help you save money on decorations with their printable coupons.

  6. Fill stockings with free product samples

  If you have a bunch of samples on hand, you can use them to top up a few Christmas stockings.

  They also work great in gift baskets, if you have many different types of samples that you can give.

  My husband and I have a lot of relatives and friends coming to our home this Christmas, and frankly, I can’t wait!

  We have our budget set and we’re ready to go deal hunting (and, actually, since we started shopping early, half of the gifts are already taken care of!).

  Ever since we started living by the rules above, we actually found that we can easily save money on Christmas gifts!

  How are you saving money on Christmas gifts?

  Jasmine is the co-founder of Canadian Savers. It was founded by Jasmine & Julia, two childhood friends that are both married with kids, and who used to struggle with their bills. After ordering a few free freebies, they asked themselves “why should we pay more, when we can pay less”? That’s when they decided to start a website that is solely dedicated to helping other Canadians save money.

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• Saving Money at Thrift Stores: 5 Ways to Keep More Cash in Your Pocket

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  photo source: poserseries

  Last week I wrote about how to shop at thrift stores and it seemed like many of you enjoyed that post, so I thought a follow-up article about saving money at thrift stores would be a good idea.

  Don’t get me wrong, thrift stores are already inexpensive. Even if you don’t do any of the things listed below, you will likely still be able to score an amazing deal at a thrift store.

  However, if you do want to start saving money at thrift stores, read on…

  Shop on sale days

  Many thrift stores have regular sale days. Since so many new things are donated each day, the store has to have a way to sell merchandise quickly. Combined with their already low prices, adding additional discounts will move items much faster than just sticking something on a shelf (or hanger) and waiting for it to sell.

  Look for special tag days (where certain coloured tags are on sale) and especially watch out for those fantastic 50% off sale days that most thrift stores have every few months or so.

  Use store coupons

  There are some thrift stores (Salvation Army is one of them) that offer discounts through coupons. You can either print them from the store’s website or you can sign up to their online mailing list and coupons will be emailed to you.

  Other times you will find coupons in the mail, and even in store occasionally (sometimes when you buy something, you are awarded with coupons for your next purchase).

  

  photo credit: rajesh setty

  Ask for a discount

  That’s right, just come out and ask for it. If you want to purchase a dining room set that is selling for $150, offer $100 and see what happens. If you want to purchase 10 t-shirts that are $2 each, ask if you can have them all for $15.

  Thrift store managers are used to hagglers and usually have a standard discount of 10% that they will offer when a customer asks for a better deal. Each manager is different, though, so always ask. The worst they can say is no, right?

  Sign up for loyalty programs

  Whether it’s a mailing list online, or an actual membership card that you carry around in your wallet, sign up to loyalty programs at your local thrift stores.

  Not only will you [usually] be rewarded with great discounts (and free stuff), but you will likely be the first to know about special upcoming promotions that can have you saving money all the time.

  Donate some stuff

  Did you know that some thrift stores will actually give you a discount off of your purchase if you donate something to their store?

  Ask your local store if this is something that they offer to their customers. Talize is one thrift store that does this, and their discount coupon is for $5 off a purchase of $25 or more (which cannot be combined with any other discount).

  Save big by shopping at thrift stores. Save even bigger when you combine thrift store shopping with this tips outlined in this article. And who doesn’t want to save bigger than big?

  Remember that you won’t always have success with all (or any, for that matter) of these tips. Some thrift stores simply don’t offer loyalty programs, coupons, or things of that nature. Shop there anyway.

  There is always a gem hiding in a thrift store – you just have to find it. And chances are, it’s not going to cost you an arm and a leg.

  Do you have any tips for saving money at thrift stores?

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• Hand Out Halloween Candy Without Going Broke

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  According to Statistics Canada, $331 million dollars was spent on Halloween candy in 2009. $331 million dollars. That a lot of money to fork over for junk food (because let’s be honest, no one is handing out apples these days – well, except maybe a few dentists!).

  Halloween candy is one of the best things about the holiday (right?), but that doesn’t mean you need to shell out an absurd amount of money for it.

  Here are 5 ways to save money on Halloween candy:

  1. Set a budget

  The very first thing you need to do before buying your candy, is to determine how much money you can realistically afford to spend.

  Set a strict budget and keep it in mind when you make your purchases.

  2. Shop the sales

  Come October, there will be sales on candy and chocolates all over the place.

  Be sure to watch the flyers of stores in your area and stock up on Halloween items when they are priced cheaply at those stores.

  The later into October you go, the cheaper the items will be, but keep in mind that if you wait until October 31st to buy candy, you’re not going to have the best selection (if you can find any at all).

  3. Buy in bulk

  Like anything, stocking up on inexpensive items is a fantastic way to save money. This includes Halloween candy.

  When you do see sales at your local stores, be sure to stock up. Don’t go overboard, though. Remember your budget, and stop once you get there.

  In addition, bulk stores, such as Costco, often have great deals on Halloween candy. If you’re able to go to one of those stores, do it, and see what you can find.

  4. Give non-chocolate treats

  Chocolate costs much more than a big box of Skittles or Twizzlers, so if you’re looking to save money on Halloween candy, pick those up instead.

  Kids just want free candy. They don’t care if it’s chocolate, candies, gum, chips or Cheetos. If it’s junk, they’ll eat it. Well, mine will, anyway.

  5. Shop the dollar store

  Many dollar stores have Halloween candy for sale; often name-brand candies and chocolates.

  This is a great place to buy goodies for the kids in your neighbourhood, for much less than you would pay at a big-box retailer like Walmart.

  Note: Always check the expiration date on items you purchase from dollar stores, as I have had some people tell me they found many expired food items at those stores.

  6. Hand stuff out yourself

  Finally, to avoid kids taking all of your candy in less than 20 minutes (this seriously happened to me one year) by picking what they want themselves, you hand it out.

  When you allow kids to pick out their own candy, they tend to grab a huge handful, instead of just one or two pieces. Don’t give them this option.

  If you want to save money on Halloween candy, do a bit of planning this year. Don’t wait until the last minute.

  Whether you choose to buy non-chocolate treats, shop at dollar stores or just wait until a good sale comes along, the important thing to remember is that being generous by handing out candy doesn’t mean you have to go broke.

  Purchase what you can afford, hand it out, and go relax. Save some candy for yourself. The good stuff.

  How do you save money on Halloween candy?

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• How to Save Money on Halloween Costumes

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  photo credit: lil sugar

  It’s the first week of October, and that means Halloween is coming! I love Halloween. There’s just something exciting about dressing up like someone else. Especially zombies. Zombie costumes are my favourite.

  The thing about Halloween costumes is that they are often quite expensive. Have you seen the cost of these things lately? Last year I saw a little dragon costume for a toddler – it was $65. Sixty-five dollars! For a tiny little costume. Ridiculous.

  This year I did some digging and researched the best ways for saving money on Halloween costumes. Here are 7 ways:

  1. eBay

  There is always a huge assortment of Halloween costumes on eBay, and thankfully, the prices aren’t too bad (usually).

  One great benefit of shopping on eBay is that you can search for exactly what you want. If you already have a costume idea in mind, that is.

  

  Related: How to Make Money on eBay
  Selling on Ebay is just as great as selling on websites such as Kijiji or Craigslist. You can make some extra cash just by posting something on the internet. Fantastic!

  2. Thrift Stores

  Most thrift stores have a section for Halloween costumes and it is often bursting at the seams come October. New stuff is being added every day, as more people drop off old costumes that they no longer want, so if you don’t find something on your first visit, try again another time.

  There are some thrift stores (Value Village especially) that even sell brand new Halloween costumes, with prices as much as 50% off the original. The closer you get to Halloween, the higher the discount will be, but this also means your selection will be more limited.

  3. Online Classifieds

  Websites such as Kijiji and Craigslist are great places to not only find Halloween costumes, but to sell your old costumes.

  Just like eBay, this is an easy way to find a very specific costume, since you can just type what you’re looking for into the search box.

  

  Related: How to Sell Your Stuff Online with Kijiji & Craigslist
  Making money from online classifieds, such as Kijiji and Craigslist, is not as simple as posting the ad and watching the money roll in. In order to make the sale, you have to be prepared to put in a little work.

  4. Costume Swap or Borrow

  Get together with a couple of friends and/or family members and either borrow a costume (or more) from them, or swap costumes entirely.

  I personally find that a clothing swap is the way to go, since then you don’t have to worry about returning anything. Less work = perfect for me.

  5. Do it Yourself

  One very frugal way to save on Halloween costumes is to simply make them yourself.

  There are many websites with easy DIY Halloween costume ideas for adults and children. If you have a bit of a crafty side, this may be the route to take if you want to save money on Halloween costumes.

  6. End of Season Sales

  We all know that shopping at the end of a season is one of the best ways to save money. Right? Knowing the sale cycles is your best bet to saving big on winter clothing, snowsuits, swimwear, sunscreen, Christmas items and… yep, costumes (and other Halloween goodies – including candy!).

  If you don’t mind purchasing next year’s costume this year, you will be able to save some serious dough. Keep in mind that the longer after Halloween you wait to purchase these costumes, the more limited your selection will be.

  7. Dollar Stores (for Accessories)

  If you need to buy face paint/make-up, hair colour spray, hats, jewellery, tiaras, swords, shields, wigs, eye patches, or almost any other Halloween costume accessory, check out your local dollar store.

  Most stores (good ones, anyway) have at least one row full of Halloween items. I’ve even seen actual Halloween costumes at some dollar stores (usually only for babies, though). If you’re into dressing up your pet, there’s often costumes for them, too.

  

  Related: Why I Love Dollar Stores
  Looking to save money? Head to the dollar store. They have so much stuff, and it is all inexpensive. The quality is actually very good as well, these days. Dollarama is my favourite dollar store, but there are other good ones, too.

  There is absolutely no need to spend a ton of money on a costume that you are likely only going to wear once.

  If you’re buying a costume for your child that you plan to use as a hand-me-down for future children, then you might want to spend a bit more for quality, but a Halloween costume should never cost you more than $30 (even less for young children).

  How do you save money on Halloween costumes & accessories?

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• How to Save Money on Pet Food

  17 Comments

  
  
  Photo by hmr

  Did you know that there are over 12.5 million cats & dogs as pets in Canada?

  We sure do love our pets, but these furry friends can be quite costly. One way to cut costs on pet care is by saving money on pet food.

  Note: The focus here is not on which food is best, nutritionally, for your pet (that’s a personal choice that each pet owner has to make, and will depend on special dietary requirements as well as budget). These are general tips for saving money on pet food.

  Consider Store Brands

  There are many myths about pet food ingredients.

  High prices on certain brands don’t necessarily mean that the food is of higher quality. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that by comparing ingredients, as well as prices and feeding guidelines, there are generic brands that are just as good (or better) as the more expensive brands.

  Make Your Own

  One alternative to commercial pet foods is to prepare your own at home. This can save you money as well as provide your pet with wholesome quality food.
  Before trying this, be sure to do your research and speak to your veterinarian about specific recipes, serving sizes etc. This is important to ensure that your pet gets a balanced diet that meets their nutritional requirements.

  Dog Food Recipe: Homemade Dog Food
  Cat Food Recipe: Homemade Cat Food

  Buy In Bulk

  If you use coupons, watch for fantastic sales on pet food and then match your coupons with those sale prices. Always buy the smallest size bag (and as many of them as you can) of pet food possible when using coupons, as this is the best way to save the most amount of money.
  If you don’t use coupons, or simply don’t have any for the pet food you regularly purchase, keep an eye out for sales and purchase the large bags when they are priced at their lowest. Store the extra food in large storage containers in a cool, dark place.

  Shop Around

  Just like any kind of shopping, do your research and shop around for the best prices.
  Most times, if the type of pet food that you are looking for is available at a major retailer or supermarket chain (such as Walmart or Real Canadian Superstore), it is going to be cheaper there than at a speciality pet store.

  Coupons & Samples

  Another great way to save money on pet food, is to search for and collect coupons for these items.
  If your veterinarian insists on a certain type of pet food that can only be purchased in a specialty store or at the veterinarians’ office, be sure to ask for samples and any coupons or special offers that may be available. Also, ask what the issue is and if there are any alternative foods (that are cheaper) with similar ingredients.

  Mix It Up

  If your pet is not picky and will accept a change in food every now and then (like our pup), alternating the brand of food, depending on the best deal available, can help save you some serious cash.
  Please note that it is very important to introduce new food gradually over a week or so, mixing it with the old food, to help avoid any issues.

  Compare Serving Size and Not Just Unit Price

  Read pet food labels carefully. Not all pet food is created equal when it comes to the amount that your pet will need to eat each day. Most brand don’t have the same suggested amounts to meet your pet’s nutritional needs.

  For example, one type of food may appear cheaper but it turns out not to be as much of a bargain when you see that it requires one more cup per day than another brand that appeared to be more expensive.

  When it comes to the type of food (wet or dry), wet food is almost always going to cost more since it’s made up of a high percentage of water, which means you’ll end up needing more of it to feed your pet.

  Don’t Overfeed Your Pet

  Feeding your pet too much not only costs you more in pet food, it also leads to obesity (which in turn leads to more expensive trips to the vet).
  Pay attention to the feeding guidelines for your pet’s weight, activity level and age, and talk to your veterinarian about how much to feed your pet. Skip the treats, too (they’re the equivalent of feeding your kids junk food).
  There are certainly ways to save money on pet food, but remember to always follow up with your veterinarian to make sure you are feeding your pet the correct food. Some pets cannot handle store brand or name brands and need specialty pet food instead. (One of our cats has kidney issues and is on special food from the vet.)

  Most cats & dogs are able to eat whatever you give them, and if that’s the case for your pets, be sure to try out some of the tips above to save money on pet food.

  How do you save money on food for your pets?

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• Save Money Using a Smartphone: 10 Money Saving Tips

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  photo credit

  This is a guest post from Erin at Voucher Codes

  I’m a bit of an old pro at using my smartphone to organize my life. So when one of my best friends asked me what I was doing getting my iPhone scanned at my local H&M I thought it was about time I shared my expertise.

  Here are my top 10 ways to save money using a smartphone:

  1. Store Apps

  The next time you walk into a store and you’re about to buy something, go to the app store and find the store’s app (the store you plan to shop at). Download that and see if it has an option for receiving a discount. For example, the H&M app allows you to shake your phone to get a random discount. Many stores have this functionality, from Hotels.com to Old Navy.

  2. ATM Fees

  There is no excuse for this one. If you find yourself in need of cash and settle for the closest ATM, be wary of those ATM fees. Or, avoid them by using Google maps or your bank’s app to find your local branch’s nearest ATM, or the nearest free ATM.

  3. Coupons

  Like the aforementioned store apps, there are websites that you can use on your smartphone that houses online coupons, printable coupons and even screen display coupons for in-store use or online purchases.

  4. Track Your Spending

  There are a ton of apps that help you manage your budget. My personal favourite is from Mint.com. This app helps you manage your cashflow and bills, all in one place.

  5. Fousquare Freebies

  This is one that I need to take advantage of more. This location-based service is gaining popularity, and stores are jumping on the bandwagon by offering specials and freebies to Fourquare users. Simply check-in to see the deals and freebies in your area.

  6. Gasoline

  You can easily save money using a smartphone at a gas station, we well. The golden app, and a life changer for me, is GasBuddy (available for Android and iPhone). Simply download, activate location services, and the next time you need to fill up it will tell you where the best deals on gas are in your local area (wherever you happen to be).

  7. Scan the Barcode

  Apps like Red Laser and Shopsavvy have some up-and-coming apps. These generally allow users to take a picture of a barcode of a product. The app then does the hard work for you and searches the best prices from retailers for that particular item, to save you cash. This is the future of price comparison.

  8. VOIP

  Again, there are loads of Smartphone apps available for VOIP services. But none better, in my experience, than the Skype app. If you have available data on your data plan or you are using wifi, then you can call another Skype user for free, on any device. And if your contact doesn’t have Skype, then topping up credit is super cheap.

  9. Texting

  This doesn’t apply to most smartphone users, as text messaging usually comes free and unlimited, but if it doesn’t or you have contacts abroad, then a solid app that gives you free texts (you still have to endure ads, mind you) is called textPlus.

  10. Music

  I usually pay for music and I never illegally download. But I found an extremely intuitive radio station app called Slacker Radio where you simply type in a song; album or artist and the app will play songs from this artist or songs from similar artists – which can actually be a good way to discover new music.

  I’m always looking for new ways to save money using my smartphone. Especially when I’m on the move. It happens all too often that we say to ourselves “I’ll look for a better way next time”, well the next time is now. Saving is all about being prepared and taking a moment to say “can I do/get this cheaper?”.

  Do you have any other tips for using your phone to save money?

  Erin’s biggest passion in life is shopping. She found that in order to keep her habit at bay she needed to either pay less for items or to simply purchase less. She does both. And now she teaches others how to do the same with her frugal tips on Voucher Codes.

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• How to Save Money on Organic Groceries

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  Just over a month ago, my husband and I decided to try going all organic in regards to our groceries. This was not something we planned to do forever, but we wanted to try it out and see if we could feed our family for the same amount of money as we spend on “regular” groceries.

  After talking to friends that shopped organic, some research online and a few trips to organic stores, I learned that there are some ways that you can save money on organic grocery items.

  Here are 6 of them:

  1. Coupons

  I had never once seen organic coupons before, but apparently they do exist. I actually received most of my organic coupons by contacting companies. I received coupons from Barbara’s, Organic Meadow, Eden’s Organics and more. You can find the entire list on our Canadian Companies That Will Mail You Coupons page.

  You can also find printable coupons for organic groceries. Two great sites for those are Whole Foods Coupons and The Healthy Shopper.

  2. Only Buy the Dirty Dozen

  Have you heard of the “dirty dozen” or the “clean fifteen”? I hadn’t, but research showed me that these items are very important to those looking to save money on organic groceries.

  The dirty dozen are the top 12 food items that have the most pesticides on them. If you want to buy organic, but are on a tight budget, these are the food items you should be buying.

  The clean fifteen are the top 15 food items that have the least amount of pesticides on them. You can avoid buying the organic version of these items.

  3. Shop at Conventional Grocery Stores.

  When we were shopping for organics, we tried multiple sources. Farmer’s markets, health food stores, private sales and conventional grocery stores. We found that conventional grocery stores, such at Loblaws, had the best prices for most of our organic purchases.

  Produce may not be the freshest you’ve ever seen, because most people don’t buy organic produce at a conventional grocery store, but it is still of great quality and often for much less than you would pay elsewhere.

  4. Consider Private Sales

  Even though they are usually a bit more costly than a grocery store, purchasing organic items (usually meat, produce and/or eggs & milk) privately, through a local farmer, can be very beneficial.

  We didn’t do this in our trial run of organic shopping, but a friend of mine does it all the time and she says that if you order products from the same farmer over and over again, they will usually cut you some type of deal each time you buy. This is a fantastic way to save money on organic food. Especially meat and eggs.

  5. Buy Entire Animals

  Instead of going to a farmer or grocery store and buying cuts of organic beef, chicken and pork, buy the entire animal to save money. Many local farmers sell whole animals and this is a great way to stockpile organic meat.

  It won’t be cheap (especially cows), so if you can’t afford the price tag on one of these animals, ask if friends or family members want to go in on the purchase with you. Alternatively, you can purchase 1/2 or 1/4 of an animal, if the farmer you are buying from offers that.

  6. Shop in Season

  Only buying produce items that are in season is going to save you a bunch of cash. In season produce is inexpensive and just plain tastes better than the stuff that isn’t in season.

  Look for things like tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, strawberries and watermelon in the summer. Look for pumpkins, apples, cranberries, beans and squash in the fall. The in season produce will likely be on the first page of your store’s weekly sale ad (if the place you are buying from has a flyer).

  If you’re passionate about only purchasing organic groceries, but are discouraged by the cost of such items, try a few (or all, if you dare!) of the tips above to keep the costs of those grocery items down.

  Do I think it’s worth it to shop for organic groceries? Yes and no. It’s really only worth it if it’s something that you believe in. Are organic foods better for you? Not necessarily. Are you being more economical by purchasing organic groceries? Not really.

  When my husband I were purchasing organic groceries, we found that everything tasted the exact same as their non-organic friends. We also learned that the amount of pesticide found on most conventional produce was so little that it would hardly affect us.

  We now only purchase organic groceries if the price is the same, or better, as the non-organic items (which rarely happens). To support our local farmers, we visit farmer’s markets often.

  Do you purchase organic groceries? How do you save money on them?

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• How to Negotiate: The Ultimate Guide

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  “No’ is a reaction, not a position. The people who react negatively to your proposal simply need time to evaluate it and adjust their thinking. With the passage of sufficient time and repeated efforts on your part, almost every ‘You Can Negotiate Anything no’ can be transformed into a ‘maybe’ and eventually a ‘yes’.”
  - Herb Cohen, author of the best selling book, You Can Negotiate Anything

  Fully embracing a frugal lifestyle means being able to negotiate effectively. In order to save money, you either need to make more money or reduce your costs, both of which involve negotiation to some extent.

  Have you ever travelled abroad and noticed that haggling or bargaining is the norm – fully accepted by both parties as a way of doing business? Sellers and buyers expect some sort of negotiation as part of the process of making a final sale.

  For most Canadians, on the other hand, haggling is not as common. This leaves you with less money in your pocket. It doesn’t have to be this way.

  Here are tips for fearless, friendly negotiations.

  Everything is negotiable (well, almost everything).

  If you want to get the best deal, you need to negotiate – and you can negotiate just about anything.

  Household bills, salaries, gym membership, bank fees, credit card rates, car insurance, dental visits, furniture, appliances, clothing and more.

  Don’t be embarrassed, too proud or worried about looking cheap.

  So many people are concerned with how they will be perceived by asking for a better deal.

  Who cares what other people may think! Do you think that “rich” people got rich by paying full price for everything?

  Do your research in advance.

  Know what the bottom line is that you are willing to settle on and know what else is available out there.

  Arming yourself with information will help you better your chances of getting the deal done. As we know, retail stores price match, but even those that don’t advertise such policies will price match (or do better) just to get your business.

  Have an end in mind.

  Be prepared to walk away if what you want doesn’t happen.

  Know the price that you are willing to pay and your bottom line terms, and keep them in mind while negotiating.

  Don’t be apologetic.

  You’re entitled to negotiate a more favourable deal. Don’t use any kind of language that implies you are apologetic (women may be more prone to this during negotiating than men).

  Studies have shown that women apologize more than men, and you certainly don’t want to say “I’m sorry to ask this but…”. If you do, then from the start, you are implying that you are doing something wrong by asking.

  Maintain positive body language.

  For face to face negotiations, your non-verbal behaviour sets the tone and plays a huge role in how things will turn out. Before you get a chance to speak, you need to exude confidence and positivity.

  Did you know?: Renowned Canadian author Eliot Hoppe focuses on teaching sales professionals how to close deals by using non-verbal influence.

  Even when on the other side as a buyer, the same techniques apply.

  Deal with the decision maker.

  When you know you want to negotiate, you need to get to a person who has the authority to make it happen.

  This is often the manager, so ask for them right away.

  Look for words that scream “It’s Negotiable”.

  Whether you’re at a garage sale or a retail store, look and listen for language like “the suggested price is”, “the usual price is”, “we are asking this price”, “this usually sells for” etc.

  This type of language is telling you that they expect to negotiate and that you can most certainly get a better deal.

  Build rapport.

  Once you meet the person that you will negotiate with, take note of their name, remember it, and use it throughout your conversation.

  Don’t just jump into asking what you are looking for. Start by off by complimenting or making small talk about something positive.

  Attitude is everything.

  Be approachable. From the first contact, you want to come across as friendly , co-operative and respectful – not demanding, arrogant and hostile.

  You are not likely to go far if you start out by making demands or threats. Chances are you’ll go a lot farther by being collaborative and taking the “work together” approach.

  Use your words carefully.

  Phrase your questions carefully. The simplest and most important way to ask questions is to go back to the basic open ended questions we learned in grade school – who, what, when, where, why, and how.

  As a rule of thumb, you never want to get a simple yes or no response.

  For example,
  “Who do I speak to about getting a discount?” vs. “Is there anyone that I can speak to about getting a discount?”

  “What is the special rate if I buy 3 or more?” vs. “Do you offer a special rate if I buy 3 or more?”

  Here are some good negotiation questions to ask.

  Be willing to compromise.

  You asked for what you want and you’ve been told that it is not going to happen. What next?

  Be flexible and willing to consider other options. You need to ask about other discounts, deals, terms or rates that may be available.

  It is not a good idea to demand one option only or make threats or ultimatums. When there’s no movement on price, focus on other aspects such as delivery, service fees, warranty or accessories. Look for other opportunities to benefit.

  Propose that you pay in cash or in full (or both).

  For many items, offering to pay in cash is reason enough for a merchant to offer a price break. Credit cards have processing fees and may not be immediately released so the merchant may be more likely to pass the savings on to the buyers.

  For bigger ticket items, if you can pay in full this will make the deal more enticing for the seller and they will be more likely to agree to a deal.

  Learning how to negotiate is one of the best ways you can save money on almost all of your purchases.

  Though it might be difficult at first (I always thought it was rude and felt awkward when I first started negotiating), it does get much easier.

  Do you negotiate? What is one of your best deals?
  

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