50 easy ways to save

Automobile/Gas

• Participate in the gas perks programs offered by the local grocery stores, such as Giant Eagle and Kroger.
• Get regular tune ups and oil changes every 3,000 miles.
• Make sure tires are fully inflated and limit air conditioning use to save gas.
• Drive at a steady speed because frequent stopping wastes gas.
• Consider trading in your larger vehicle for a smaller one that gets better gas mileage.
• Form car pools with your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers for getting kids to their activities, getting to work and running around town.
• Review your insurance policy and research other companies to make sure you are getting the best coverage for the price.

Sports

• Buy second-hand equipment from stores like Play It Again Sports.
• Enroll kids in team sports through the local recreation center instead of school or travel teams.
• Help raise money for the team through sponsorships from local businesses to help offset expenses.

Clothing

• Buy clothing during the off season. For example, look for winter items on the clearance racks in January.
• Visit off-brand stores and liquidators.
• Keep your receipts. You may get a price adjustment if the item you purchased goes on sale within 30 days of your original purchase.
• Visit gently-used clothing stores such as Plato's Closet and Once Upon a Child which sometimes accepts competitors' coupons.
• Don't be afraid to shop thrift stores such as Goodwill. You'd be surprised at the volume of name-brand clothing you can find.

Home/Energy

• Seal window and door frames with caulk and weather stripping.
• Wash clothes on cold water setting.
• Lower the water heater temperature to 120 degrees.
• Set dishwasher on air dry.
• Unplug unused appliances and electronics like DVD players, printers, coffee makers, etc.
• Install a programmable thermostat and set it to a cooler/
• warmer temperature when you're away.
• Buy energy saving incandescent or fluorescent bulbs that will last up to 7 years.
• Consider consolidating your phone, Internet and cable into one package offered by Time Warner and AT&T

Eating out/Entertainment

• Purchase a local entertainment book and take advantage of the deals. Keep it in your car for easy reference when you're out and about.
• Go out to eat during your lunch hour instead of dinner time to take advantage of lower lunch prices.
• Order water with a lemon or lime instead of soda, tea or coffee. You'll be surprised by how much this saves.
• Choose a restaurant that offers free kids' meals when dining out with the family.
• Pack lunch for work and school instead of buying.
• Avoid the vending machines by bringing snacks from home and keeping them in your desk.
• Go to a matinee showing at the movie theater (usually before 5 p.m.).
• Check out books, CDs and movies from the local library instead of buying them.
• Read local newspapers and favorite magazines online.

School

• Shop for supplies just before school starts. Try office supply stores, which usually offer big discounts.
• Look into work programs, scholarships and tuition assistance programs and grants if your child attends a private school.
• Have kids attend in-state public universities instead of private schools which can save about $10,000 a year.

Grocery shopping/Food

• Make a list. Take a food inventory before shopping and buy only what you need.
• Scan weekly grocery store circulars and coupon inserts, like those in TheBAG each Sunday, and plan your weekly menu accordingly.
• Bake food from scratch instead of buying pre-made items such as baby food, cookies and frozen dinners.
• Avoid one-stop shopping. Try shopping at several stores to price check and get the most for your money.
• Switch product brands to use the coupons available. Only if it's a lower price with the coupon, of course.
• Download coupons from online coupon sites and manufacturers' websites.
• Try the store brands, which usually are less expensive and often made by the same manufacturers as the name brands.
• To avoid impulse buying, take a basket instead of a cart when you are shopping for only a few items
• Shop at discount grocery stores such as ALDI, Cash and Carry, Sav-A-Lot and Marc's.
• Visit drug stores like CVS and Walgreens. They offer different savings programs that can be used on diapers, beauty products and health supplies.
• Plant a garden containing your family's favorite vegetables, herbs and fruits.

Healthcare

• Talk to your doctor about prescribing medicine that offers a generic brand.
• Shop around by calling different pharmacies for the best price.
• Check into the different $4 generic prescription offers which also offer a 3-month supply for only $10.
• Research prescription assistance programs like the Partnership for Prescription Assistance to see if your family qualifies.

Online coupons

Here are just a few sites that have coupons for everyday food and home products that can be printed and used in-store, or redeemed online.

• www.thebag.com
• www.coupons.com
• www.couponcabin.com
• www.couponsurfer.com
• www.couponmom.com
• www.couponchief.com
• www.retailmenot.com
• www.couponheaven.com

Pattie Stechschulte is a freelance magazine writer who lives in Westerville with her husband Steve and two sons, Will and Jack.