My husband and I have faced many lay-offs in the past twenty years; each time we hoped to learn something new so that we could help others in the future. Now is that time. As my we worked to “stay afloat” (the opposite of “going under”!) during lean times, I read every money-saving book and magazine on our library’s shelf--some things I’ve worked out for myself. Now that my husband has a steady job, we’ve continued many of these practices as a part of responsible living. In my posts, I’ll include ideas for different levels of need—stretching dollars when you still have some income and stretching even further (when you think you can’t) when the income is gone in hope of helping you hang on until you get some income. I’ll also address things we learned about attitudes—ours and those around us.

I invite you to comment with your money-saving ideas and accounts of what has worked for you, since community is one of our greatest resources. While I’m writing as an American in the framework of the American economy, I also invite those of you from other nations/peoples to share what you’ve learned about stretching resources since many things can be applied anywhere. (Do know that I will delete any comment that’s derogatory or has foul language.) Please share this blog with others who are stretching and help them keep from “breaking”.


Thursday, January 20, 2011

BOGOs

When your grocery store runs BOGO (Buy One Get One--free) specials it can be a good way to stock up or buy ahead, getting two for the price of one. But if you don’t need the extra one, you can give it to someone who does. Or if you really need the cut rate but not the extra—you may be able to get just one item for half price.

Rain Checks

If everyone else gets to the store’s really good deal before you do, persevere and ask at the customer service desk for a rain check so you can still get the sale price when they restock. It’s helpful to know the product name, size and sale price—while not necessary, it speeds the process. Rain checks are usually good for 30 days.