Savings Tips

Today´s shopper is a savvy one, looking for coupons, deals and savings from multiple sources. Don´t leave home without coupons and achieve savings on all purchases from groceries to dining to home improvement. This savings mindset is part of living the value lifestyle that extends to saving time by being organized to planning meals around deals and entertaining and decorating on a dime. Here are some ways to save and live the value lifestyle.

Money-saving Tips for Anything and Everything

Eating out — Kids Eat Free: Many chain establishments have proven the old adage of no free lunch (or dinner) wrong, especially if you have kids. Full-service chain restaurants continue to offer kids-eat-free promotions — three favorite words for parents.

Smart Dinner Planning:  Plan meals using your store´s circular; grocery is the No. 1 savings category (89 percent), according to a survey on redplum.com.

What´s Old is New: Organize a book, movie or toy swap within your circle of friends or at your child´s school.

Visit manufacturers' and retailers' websites to download or register for coupons to be sent to you.

Coupon codes: Coupon codes save consumers dollars or percentages off on everything from clothing to restaurants to toys, books and movies to entertain your children. Search for coupon codes when making an online purchase.

Clip & Click Coupons: Spending just 20 minutes a week taking advantage of coupons and special offers can save consumers up to $1,000 a year or more.

Savvy Shopping Savings

Make a shopping list: Use your grocer´s circular to capitalize on their weekly savings. Pair with coupons.

Stock up on staples: Check out the deals and coupons and stock up on nonperishables as the sale price.

Use a coupon organizer: Sort coupons and keep it with you at all times for those “unplanned” shopping trips. Also, organize your coupons in the order that you shop the store for quicker savings trips.

Back to School

Resist trends when it comes to staples: Stick with basic looks when buying the fashion staples (jeans, pants, T-shirts and sweaters). You may get a longer wear out of them — presuming your child doesn´t shoot up three inches a semester.

Indulge smartly in a couple trends (if your kids care): Hair accessories or inexpensive jewelry for girls, socks and backpack patches for boys can be enough to make your child feel hip.

Meet as a family to make lists, which just like grocery shopping lists, keep you focused and on task: Consider the list a “we-promise-not-to-deviate-from-this list” must. Get buy-in from the whole family that if it´s not on the list, it doesn´t come home.

Holiday Shopping

Collect sizes now: Start a list of the clothing sizes of anyone you might want to shop for this season. You never know when an adorable pair of baby shoes or a hysterical message-tee is going to catch your eye.

Update your info: Try sending out an “interests´ inventory” to update your take on what giftees are into. It´s similar to the e-mail you get when a friend updates her address book — except this time you´ll ask what books they liked this year, what music they love right now and other quick questions that´ll arm you with present-picking info to pair with sales.

Search online first: Try to get two to three online prices on the exact items you´re interested in. Without those price comparisons in-hand you risk paying too much.

Keep a list: Mark down prices and locations, as well as extras that are included with the purchases you made. You´ll also want to record what you´ve bought as you go — so you don´t end up with five gifts for one person and none for another.

Entertainment (inside the home)

Host an inexpensive wine tasting party: Have each guest bring their favorite wine under a certain dollar amount (perhaps $15 or $10 and under.) They can uncork it in private, pour the glasses and present them to the other guests. After they´ve all been tasted each person tells the label, the price, and where they bought the wine. All the host needs to do is provide some light appetizers.

Host a dinner party where making dinner is part of the fun. Share recipes, savings and other cooking ideas. Or, host a potluck and encourage everyone to use that week´s circular to build their contribution around. Post your menu for guests to see and talk about. It creates great anticipation and fun.

Have friends or family over for a movie night. Combine a movie with homemade popcorn or small finger foods. One movie rental costs about $5, where four adult admissions for the movies could cost up to $40.

Party ideas: Create a pleasing aroma by putting a pot of water on the stove and add cinnamon, lemon, orange rinds or ginger. Simmer on low heat throughout the day.

Feature signature cocktails: Create intrigue with two specialty drinks (alcoholic or nonalcoholic). Add a touch of elegance — serve on trays. (Sorbet Bellinis are simple — put a scoop of sorbet in the bottom of a glass and fill with sparkling wine!)

Napkin folding: Ever been on a cruise? Remember the talk about the towel animals? Make your napkins more than functional. Learn a new napkin fold — a great table accent and conversation piece to spice up your entertaining at no extra cost.