HOW TO STRETCH YOUR MONEY DURING THE RECESSION-HELPFUL TIPS

Large family packages are most always cheaper. You can divide it up into smaller containers once you get home with it. Some supermarkets have entire isles reserved just for bulk food that you can package yourself for a huge discount. In some communities they have special stores that only carry bulk supplies. Shopping Club stores offer great discounts on bulk stuff. Be careful as not to get carried away with buying a lot you don't really need. It's good to keep stocked up but use logic as you do it.

Always use a shopping list and stick to that list while trying not to take any longer than needed to get the things on the list. This will stop you from buying more than you need. The best time to shop is after a meal so you're not tempted by an empty stomach.

Coupons from manufacturers and supermarkets can add additional savings to your grocery bill. We can find them in store isles, food packages, magazines, newspapers, and online. Some stores may not accept the ones you printed from a web site but many will. Some stores will even double the coupon giving you many smaller packages at no extra expense at all. Free does sound good. This would be the time not to buy bulk. If you have many coupons alike you could buy as many items as you have coupons to get that deal on.

The landfills are full enough without adding more to them. Don't put it in the trash when you can sell or donate to charity. Perhaps someone you know could use the item. Yard sales or online action sites could put extra money in your pocket. People are way too wasteful these days.

Many things can be recycled like aluminum cans, plastic bottles, paper, cardboard, and metals. Most towns have a salvage yard or recycling center. Salvage yards will pay you per pound for these collections. Some metals like copper and brass pay more than others. It could mean a hobby you could make a living at.

Things like plastic bags, coffee cans and plastic containers that other things came in can be reused. Bread bags work well for freezing most vegetables and meat. Storage bags can be washed in the dishpan and dried to use again. Wax paper from cereal boxes work for cooling cookies from the oven.

Our grandparents survived the depression by not wasting things. They repaired what they could and found use for things they didn't need. They mended clothes or used them for quilts, rugs, or cleaning rags. The stories they tell could help us deal with a recession.

Do it yourself when possible. Home improvement projects can be expensive, but if you are capable of doing the task yourself you will save money. Most places that sell remodeling materials will offer instructions on how to do things yourself.

Grow your own vegetables and can or freeze them yourself. Some vegetables do well in a pot or window box for those without room elsewhere to plant them.

Any project will save you money if you can do it yourself. Car repairs, appliance repairs, and home repairs all suck up much of your hard earned money. If you can't do it maybe you know someone who can. Perhaps you can swap a service you do for trade.