Tips for Saving Money

1. Open an ING account and have your funds automatically deposited into it.
   
2.  Save the Rest at Bank of Nova Scotia automatically deposits $1 or $5 into a separate account for short term savings such as a vacation or car repairs.
3. Start clipping coupons. Search online, newspapers, magazines and in-store.
4. Make a list before going grocery shopping and eat first before you go. Once at the grocery store, shop on the outer perimeter of the grocery store, this is where all the fresh food is kept. Vegetables, fruits, breads, meats and dairy. Don't forget to stick to your list. 
5. Plan your meals, at least a couple days in advance if not longer. There are some wonderful meal plans online. Search under meal plans.
6. Start using cash. Leave your debit and credit cards at home. By doing this, you won't give in to impulse spending.
7. Budget. Write out your expenses and allocate your funds accordingly. Don't forget to include some fun things like entertainment. Stick to your budget. You might get off track once in a while, but do not make it a habit. Too many times off course and the budget won't work.
8. Shop for items when they are on sale. 
9. Adopt the jar method. Allocate into jars, money for those expenses that are not fixed, for example: gas, entertainment, groceries, transportation, spending. Once the funds in the jar are finished, the do not get replenished until next payday. This method works best by pay period.
10. Open an RRSP account. You can start as low as $25/mth with most banks.
11. Swap children's clothing with friends. Kids grow up so fast, it gets expensive buying them a new wardrobe everytime.
12. Shop at second-hand stores such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, Value Village and Once Upon a Child.
13. Watch movies at home instead of going to the theatre. 
14. Make gourmet meals at home instead of going to an expensive restaurant. 
15. DIY. Learning to do-it-yourself will save you hundreds of dollars a year. Everything from home improvements to interior design can be done by you. It just takes time and patience. 

 If you have any money-saving tips, please email me and I will post your suggestion.


Happy Shopping!!