Resist impulse buying! Ask yourself: Do I really need it? Do I need it today? What if don’t buy it now? Can I do this at a lower cost? Also, limit the cash you carry; shop with your spending plan in mind; avoid ATM fees by using your bank’s ATMs; watch for sales; wait for the right price; and, look for coupons and rebates. Shop for value!

Save money by eating at home; make a shopping list for the grocery store; watch for sales and coupons; buy products you use frequently in large sizes or bulk quantities; don’t go food shopping when hungry.

Use your credit card to purchase larger, lasting items; limit the number of credit cards you have; avoid having a monthly credit card balance greater than 10% of your monthly net income. Don’t make the mistake of using credit cards to buy things you really can’t afford. Don’t drown yourself in credit card debt! See the topic All About Credit to learn more.

Shop for a package deal; watch out for high text messaging and web access charges; read the contract before you sign; ask questions; make sure you understand all features & fees; keep track of your usage; pay your bill on time and in full.

You may be eligible for discounts if you have a valid student or military ID, or other organization memberships. Research the benefits and ask stores what cards they honor for discounts. Some grocery and drug stores offer savings cards for customers. Some stores and businesses offer their employees a special discount on merchandise. You might consider getting a seasonal job at a store where you plan to do your holiday shopping, for example.

Consider skipping a few low-cost purchases you could do without in order to save for one item you really value. For example, trade-off your next few purchases of jeans and t-shirts to save for one nice outfit, or skip your visits to fast food restaurants in order to afford one dinner at a top restaurant. Bypass small luxuries (like fancy coffees and movie rentals) for a few months and use the money to help you afford one great travel experience.

Think about ways you might be able to obtain something you want at a lower cost or even for free. For example, you might be able to see a play or hear a concert by volunteering to usher. Or you might get some friends together in order to qualify for a volume or group discount. Share a magazine subscription with a friend rather than buying single issues off the rack.