SMART Tips to Save You Money
S= Shop Around
- Comparison shop – compare prices at one store to those at another
- Check to see if one store will honor the price at another. This saves driving time.
M= Measure it – where is my money going?
- Keep an envelope and save every receipt for every purchase you make for 30 days, or,
- Record all purchases in a small notebook for 30 days to track your purchases. At the end of one month you will be able to see where your money is going.
A=Adjust
- You may have to adjust your lifestyle slightly and make some sacrifices in order to reach your goal, but you don’t have to give everything up, just make adjustments.
- Rent movies at home instead of going to the show; bring your lunch to work/school rather than eating out; buy pop in bulk at the store rather than buying from the vending machine. Little adjustments can make a big difference.
R=Research
- Research online to find the best buys or purchases.
- Beware of shipping costs. The price may be lower online by $5.00, but if shipping is $6.99, you aren’t saving any money.
T= Tally
- Tally up the totals from your "measuring" and see where your money is going.
