10 Resolutions for a Frugalosopher

We all make new year’s resolutions that we fail to keep. We promise to work out, to diet or to quit smoking. Some of our resolutions are difficult to keep, but saving money is not a difficult endeavor and it is one that can be done little by little. Here are some resolutions you can make to learn to live more frugally.

1. Get the Sunday paper every Sunday and clip coupons. There are so many savings to be found in the weekly paper and it is throwing money away not to take advantage of them.
2. Don’t assume a deal is a deal just because it says it’s a deal. Many things that say value or bonus are really not. Sometimes they are more expensive than buying the item separately.
3. Don’t hesitate to negotiate prices. Flea markets are not the only place that you can haggle! Cable and cell phone providers will sometimes offer deals if you ask. Even Wal-Mart will reduce the price of an item if there is even a small defect. It never hurts to ask. Don’t be embarrassed to try to get the best deal possible.
4. Don’t carry cash! Carrying cash is the easiest way to spend money without even noticing. Even I am guilty of scratching my head in amazement that I blew through $30 in two days without knowing why. That’s why I always try not to carry cash!
5. Comparison shop. If you know that you want something, don’t assume that the sale price you see in a store’s ad is actually the cheapest price. There are multiple places to check before you can assume that is the best price. Sometimes you will be surprised at how different the prices can be.
6. Plan your monthly menu. By planning ahead, you can make a monthly grocery list which will eliminate the need to be in the grocery store two or three times a week. Fewer trips to the grocery store results in less money spent. We all know that every trip to the grocery store results in purchasing items we may not have purchased otherwise.
7. Watch your grocery store sale ads. There are often really great deals advertised and when you combine coupons with some of those deals, you can find yourself eating for next to nothing! You can plan your monthly meals around the sale items!
8. Curb your spending. If you have a book or movie habit, try the library for both books and movies or the Redbox for movies. There is no need to buy something that you are only going to use once or twice. If you have a passion for designer handbags, try to cut you purchases in half. If you buy two or three a year, cut that down to one. Somehow, cut out some of your unnecessary expenses.
9. While shopping, ask yourself two questions before buying anything. Will this item make me happy six months from now? Will I use this within a month? If the answer to either of these questions is no, walk away!
10. Don’t deprive yourself or your family of enjoyment or necessities simply for the sake of saving money. I am frugal, but I like to enjoy my life. Don’t become so frugal that you are a miser. There is a big difference between being cheap and being frugal. Don’t sacrifice happiness because you didn’t want to part with your money!

What are your new year’s resolutions?