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Saving Money At The Grocery Store

Smart consumers everywhere are finding more ways to stretch their dollars, whether they are on a fixed income or just want to get more for their hard-earned dollars. Saving on groceries is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to save money.

With a little attention to deals and coupons, as well as a little research, it's a safe bet that you can save about one-third of your usual grocery spending per month.

First of all, you should get familiar with the average price for the items you normally purchase. This may seem a bit pointless, but if you don't know the average price of the items you're looking for, you won't know if you're getting a good deal when you see these items on sale. If you shop at several stores, take note of the price differences. This can also help you save money.

If you don't read the newspaper on a regular basis, start picking one up on Sundays and check out the coupons. The average Sunday paper costs about $1.50, and you'll save that and then some on groceries. Check the paper for weekly ads from local grocers and bonus coupons from non-grocery stores where you shop. These are usually found on Wednesdays.

You can also find coupons and deals online. Many grocery chains now have websites, and you'll find special deals and printable coupons there as well.

There are also numerous coupon websites that guide you toward the best deals and printable coupons. Some of these include thefrugalgirls.com, thrifty411.com, southernsavers.com, couponmoms.com and coupons.com. Search for more sites and bookmark the ones that have the best deals for you.

Be sure you make a list, noting which items are on sale, are buy-one-get-one deals, and items you have coupons for. Be sure you ask for rain checks on items that are not available, and remember to use the rain check within the next couple of weeks, so you don't forget it.

Last of all, set a budget and stick to it. Look at your expenses and see how much you can realistically afford to spend at the market. Don't be tempted by the end-cap items at the end of aisles, and don't pick up items at the checkout stand like magazines and candy.

You may think that doing things like clipping coupons and buying in bulk won't make much of a dent in your overall bottom line. But just try it – you'll be surprised when you see how all those little things quickly add up to big savings.

With the price of gas skyrocketing, along with everything else that's taking a bite out of our budgets, we're all looking for ways to cut back in all areas of our lives. This means we'd like to save money on pet care as well.

To do this, it's important to buy smart, but focus on prevention. By keeping your animals healthy, you'll avoid expensive procedures and cut back without jeopardizing the health of your pet.

- Help your pet maintain a healthy weight. Extra pounds can mean health problems like arthritis, diabetes and cancer. To do this, keep treats to a minimum and be sure your pet gets daily exercise.

- Do things for yourself, like grooming. From bathing to trimming nails to trimming your dog's coat, these are things you can learn to do at home and save money. You can learn more about how to groom your pet by checking out books at the library, or by going online. You should also consider brushing your pet's teeth, which will help save you from those expensive cleanings at the vet's office, or at the very least, cut down on the number of dental visits.

- Be sure your pet is secured. Don't allow your pet to roam freely, as this puts him in danger from any number of hazards, including automobiles, and hazardous foods or plants. You should also make sure your home and yard are hazard-free.

- Work with your vet to cut costs. You shouldn't opt out of the annual visit to the vet, as this "well-pet" exam can be used to spot problems before they become big health issues. If your pet does require medication, ask your vet to write a prescription, rather than filling it in-office. This way, you can shop around for the best deal. You should also ask your vet if he's offering any special discounts.

- Shop smart. Everybody these days, it seems, is dressing their dogs in the "latest" canine fashion. But does your dog really need a rain coat and matching rain boots? There's nothing wrong with buying your pet some toys, but don't go overboard. When it comes to buying food for your pet, think buying in bulk. Choose the largest bags and place it in an airtight container.

- Pet insurance is something you should consider. Plans vary widely, so do your research before buying. But do consider purchasing insurance – you don't want to be worried about insurance when your pet's health is on the line.

By being smart about what you buy, asking questions and thinking ahead. you can save money on the cost of owning your pet.

Americans are reportedly spending more and feel more confident in their job security, according to a Gallup poll released earlier this month.

The poll reported that people spent an average of $80 during one week this month, the highest weekly spending average in more than a year-and-a-half. Gallup's Job Creation Index reflected more hiring by employers nationwide. These two indicators show a positive trend in the way Americans feel about the economy and its chances of recovery.

In the week ending June 6, the Index showed that 29 percent of workers reported that their employers were hiring workers, and 21 percent said their employers were laying off workers.

The increases were not just in the government jobs sector, but were in the private sector as well.

Earlier findings this year reflected a different picture. In spite of a depressed economy and an unstable employment climate, Americans were still spending.

But a recent Bloomberg survey showed that 57 percent of Americans feel the economy has worsened in the past year.

"A sense of gloom pervades perceptions of the economy and nation; barely one-in-three Americans say the country is on the right track," a Bloomberg press release stated. "Just 9 percent of those polled say they believe the economy will be strong again within a year, and 4 percent of Americans who cut back on spending now say they are confident to start back up."

The survey also found that with unemployment and underemployment still high, consumers are still worried about job security. But the pace of job loss is slowing.

But despite the surveys, one thing remains clear: trying to determine what motivates consumers is about as difficult as nailing Jell-O to a wall. Despite a muddy economic picture, it appears that when things get tough, Americans go shopping.

And this news may encourage small business owners to spend extra money marketing their goods and services to draw in some of these consumers. If you don't have the available funds for such a venture, a small business loan may be an excellent choice. No collateral is required, your privacy and security are protected, and you can obtain a revolving line of credit. Rates are as low as 7.93 percent, and a variable annual percentage rate is available.

"The measure of a life is not its duration, after all, but its donation."  Corrie ten Boom

Eighty-nine percent of Americans donate money to churches and charities. Americans gave an average of $1,620 each in 2008, the most recent figures available, according to the National Philanthropic Trust, and even that is 2% less money than they donated in 2007.

If you ever doubt humankind’s generosity, consider that more than $644 million has just recently been donated in the aftermath of the earth-shattering January 12 earthquake in Haiti—an unprecedented amount of money, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. The average amount of money per donor is less than was donated in the wake of the 2004 Indonesian tsunami, but there have been millions more people donating. The advent of donating money by texting from mobile devices has likely contributed to the number of donors—12 million donors chose this method—but clearly, there is something more at play than convenience.

The Bible’s Old Testament demands a “tithe,” literally, 10% of one’s income. The New Testament, however, is clear that Christians should give money to the church to further the gospel, but the emphasis in on a freewill gift without a specific formula for determining how much money should be given. Orthodox Jews follow the Old Testament law and donate 10% of income to charity.

Alms-giving is one the Five Pillars of Islam, and though the amount of money to be donated isn’t specified, Muslims must donate at least a small percentage of their surplus income to the poor, or risk that their prayers will no be heard.

The tradition of charitable giving is universal, and in many European countries, there are compulsory taxes for money to be given to churches and charities. There is no such tax in the United States, but the importance of charity is clear in our tax code that provides tax credits to donors.

Is charitable giving a moral obligation? Is it evidence of innate compassion? If it is a moral obligation, what is the “right” amount of money to give?

There are two schools of thought regarding how much we should give to help others. One is that we should give until it hurts; we should make a sacrifice. The other thinking is that we should give until it feels good, and when giving feels good, maybe that is evidence of our innate compassion.

The three largest purchases you’ll make in a lifetime are most likely your home, your education and your car. Before you start looking at any of these, you’ll have to ask yourself “How much can I borrow?” In each case, you’ll probably want to buy more than you can afford, so you’ll need these basic guidelines to bring you back down to earth.

These are, by the way, the same guidelines lenders follow, but they’ll also factor in your credit score and previous payment history. That means, while you’re asking yourself “How much can I borrow,” the lenders will be looking at how much you can afford to borrow.

How much can I borrow for a house?
The first place to start is with your down payment. The rule of thumb is that you should have a down payment equal to 10 to 20% of the home’s price. Since the median price of a new home is currently $204,000, you need to save roughly $30,000. Consider consolidating debt with a personal loan a year in advance.

To get the best deal on your mortgage, you need a good excellent credit score, and that mean your debt to income ratio (DTI) should less than 36% of your gross income. If your annual earnings match the median salary of $70,000 for a family of four, that means you should have no more than $25,200 in debt, not counting your housing costs.

Your monthly payment should be no more than 28% of your monthly gross income. Again, if you’re that Average Joe all our numbers are based on, your monthly payment—including principal, interest, taxes and insurance—should be no more than $1,633.

How much can I borrow for my education?
Your monthly payments should be no more than 10% of the projected monthly income of your first job out of college. For instance, the average student loan debt for an undergraduate education is $21,000. Paying 8% interest on those student loans for a 10-year term will cost $250 a month. If your first job out of college pays at least $30,000, you should be able to make the payments without too much trouble, IF you avoid amassing a lot of credit card debt while you’re in school.

How much can I borrow for a car?
When you’re asking yourself what you can afford, be sure to add in expenses like insurance, gas, maintenance and depreciation, which add a lot to the cost of car ownership. For instance, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for a gas-sipping 2010 Toyota Prius is $22,400; add in those addition expenses and the real cost is $35,307. Before you buy, check out the True Cost to Own™ calculator at Edmunds.com. And remember, you can’t let your monthly car payment push you over that 36% DTI.

The decision making process for all purchases should always begin with “How much can I afford?” instead of “How much can I borrow?” By using these guidelines, you’ll know what to expect from your lender, and avoid getting in over your head if you run into an unscrupulous loan officer.

Just like a doctor can make a quick assessment of your general health by checking your blood pressure, heart rate and temperature, with just a few quick questions you can get an overview of your personal finance health.

• Housing costs: Your total monthly housing costs, including mortgage or rent, property taxes and insurance shouldn’t exceed 28% of your gross monthly income.
• Debt payments: Look at your monthly payments for housing, loans and credit card debt. You should be spending no more than 36% of your gross monthly income on these bills.
• Emergency savings: You should maintain an emergency account with a balance equal to three months of expenses. If your household includes children or is supported by only one income, double that.
• Investment portfolio: The younger you are, the more risk you can afford to take in the stock market. As you get closer to retirement age, your portfolio should be weighted more heavily toward bonds. Deduct your age from 120; that’s the percentage of your portfolio that should be invested in stocks.
• Company stock: Maintain a diversified stock portfolio. Take advantage of an opportunity to buy you employer’s stocks, but don’t go over 10% of your total stock portfolio.
• Life insurance: Multiply your annual salary by five to determine your life insurance needs. If you have several children or a lot of debt, double that. If, however, you have no young children or debts, you can do without entirely.
• Retirement savings: Apply these general rules of thumb: If your employer matches your 401(k) contributions, contribute the maximum amount. Take advantage of any tax-deferred retirement accounts you can. If you’re conflicted about whether to save more for retirement or for your child’s college education, choose retirement; there are no retirement scholarships.

There are no rock ribbed personal finance rules, but tending to these seven areas of personal finance will go a long way to ensuring your security and your family’s. For more information on retirement planning, consult with a personal finance advisor.