Let's go shopping!..

shopping is the best thing to do for everybody including me. So, here, i would like to share some smart tips to all of you about saving your money while you're still in the mall. Smart shopping at the grocery store can help you save money. But smart shopping is more than just clipping coupons and buying things on sale. It requires having a shopping strategy.

You see, grocery stores are professionally designed, and laid out to get you to spend as much money as possible. By learning some of their secrets and techniques, you can help keep money in your pocket. To help you improve your saving money habits, here are some grocery store spending and saving tips and advice.

GROCERY SAVING STRATEGY ON SALE ITEMS TO AVOID The grocery store is professionally organized to get you to spend as much money as possible. Often, "on sale" items are displayed at the front of the store or at the end of isles. Don't assume that these items are actually a bargain, since the manufacturers or distributors of those products are actually paying to display their products.

BUY ONLY WHAT YOU NEED AND CAN AFFORD

Before grocery shopping, write a list of the items you need. Then, when shopping, only buy those items. Avoid putting other things in your cart that catch your eye. Supermarkets want to take advantage of people buying things they did not intend to purchase, so be a smart shopper and use a shopping list.

Also, don't buy more than what you can afford. You are probably better off using cash than a credit card, if using a credit card puts you into debt. If you only bring the money you intend to spend, then you can't spend any more.

AVOID CONVENIENCE ITEMS

Don't purchase items that are convenience items, such as prepared vegetables or pre-made sandwiches. These items are more costly, and you are better off buying your own ingredients and making them yourself.

BUY ITEMS IN BULK?

Buying items in bulk used to be cheaper. However, these days stores figured out that they could actually charge more, without consumers realizing it. The bigger box of cereal may actually be more expensive than the smaller box. Therefore, the best bet is to comparison shop and see if you are actually getting a better bargain.

CHECK THE ENTIRE SHELF

Grocery stores will often place the higher priced items at eye-level. Again, consumers choose more items to buy from eye level. So look at the top and bottom of the shelf for potential better bargains.

Also, often the healthier (and less expensive) items are more difficult to find. Packaged, prepared foods are more costly and generate bigger profits, so try to find the healthier items.

KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS

If after shopping you discover that the store or another store that has products you purchased advertised at a lower price, keep your receipt and go back to the store to ask for a discount.

TRACK PRICES

Keep track of the prices you are paying for items you often purchase. Then keep that list with you when you shop. That way, if something is "on sale" you will know if it is really a sale or not. If you find a good discount, then buy enough extras, if the item does not spoil.

HAPPINESS AND SHOPPING

Many people shop just to feel good. Shopping helps make you happy. However, to save money, you need to keep your emotions in check -- always remember to stick to your budget and your shopping list.

DON'T SHOP ON AN EMPTY STOMACH

Don't shop when you are hungry. People tend to buy more, and a larger amount of the things they don't need when they are hungry, so always shop with a full stomach. Also, prepare to dress more warmly, since supermarkets are often cold, because the cold temperatures actually makes you hungry so you buy more!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, BUY THE DEALS - AVOID THE REST

One shopping technique is to shop more often, and focus your shopping on the special deals given by the store. Then go visit other stores to buy their special promotions. Many stores rely on the fact that you will buy more than the specials, to make their money and maximize profits. However, you must remain disciplined and don't be tricked into spending more than you plan when entering the store.

So,there are few useful tips that i want share with others before we enter the mall for shopping. It's a very helpful advise for me in managing my personal financial especially for my saving's plan. I hope it may help you to manage your financial plan in the future especially in this coming new year soon. Last but not least, Set the 'savings plan' as one of your goals in 2010....=)

Students: how we 'life up' the money

Money..Money..Money....

You're in college, so it's too early to be thinking of having a personal financial plan. That's for after you graduate and you're making the big bucks, right?

Unfortunately, many college graduates who believe this start their new lives after graduation weighed down with debt that often follows them for the rest of their lives. You don't need to be one of them, but now is the time to make sure that you don't start down that road. According to an advisor at a major university, more students drop out of college due to credit card debt than to academic failure. The best way to prevent this is to adopt a spending plan early in your first semester, and stick to it.

Like anybody else, college students are usually surprised at how much the little expenses add up to. A cup of coffee at the local coffee shop before classes each morning can total RM36 a month, or nearly RM216 a semester. Smoking is one of the most costly habits. At RM6.90 a pack, a pack-a-day habit can total well over RM1242 within a semester!! It doesn't take much to reach thousands of dollars a semester on incidentals. Students who get a handle on their spending and their available funds early can avoid the stress of being unable to pay off their bills and having to work more and more hours during college in order to juggle their finances.

The basics of budgeting are the same for students as they are for anybody else: list the sources of your income, such as savings from your summer jobs, financial support from your parents, financial aid from the school, scholarships, and income from your job if you have one. Then list your expenses, such as tuition, books, groceries, gas, entertainment, etc., in as much detail as possible. Print out the budget worksheets listed in the link box at the top right of this page, or make your own.If your expenses are less than your income, you're in good shape as long as you stick to your spending plan. If your expenses are MORE than your income, you need to find ways to cut spending or increase your income. In this new year, try to make a new mission in managing your own financial plan as to make sure that you have a real deep pocket till the and of each month..=)

hoho..Merry Christmas!

Hello everyone! wishing you a very merry Christmas! well, i just had joined the Blogspot for the 1st time in my life. I would like to make a friend with all people around the globe and share my experiences with others..