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tips

Get your Gas, Groceries, and Travel Buttoned Up!

With today's rising costs of fuel, food, and travel, it can seem like it's impossible to keep the same standard of living as we had a year ago. However, a little organization can go a long way if you just know where to start and how to approach it. Here's some tips to help you save money in the key areas of gas, groceries and travel:

Organizing to Save on Gas:

    1. Check out Gasbuddy.com which lists the cheapest gas stations in your area when you simply type in your zip code.

    2. On your most frequent routes, write down the gas stations with the cheapest prices since the lowest prices may not be near your home.

    3. Map out and organize your errand location stops on an Errand.pad ($5) before you head out the door so you aren't driving back and forth across town.

    4. Avoid Aerodynamic drag...cargo on top of the car or luggage rack can cut fuel economy by up to 5%!

    5. Try a Gas Card which can save you 1-5% per gallon.

Organized to Save on Groceries:

    1. Embrace the 80/20 Rule - shop for the most important stuff first (main protein and sides 80%) and leave the extras (i.e. appetizers, extra snacks) for the last 20% or so.

    2. Try Shortcuts.com gives you access to free coupons on your favorite foods and brands. It is for Kroger grocery stores and downloads the coupons right on to your loyalty card so there are no coupons to cut or forget. Just scan your card and checkout and get the savings.

    3. Log on to SmartSource.com which has all of the coupons from your local paper in printable format, so if you forget to get the newspaper one week, you don't have to miss the savings!

    4. Once you clip the coupons, organize them in a simple wallet or envelope by expiration date and leave them in your purse or in the car at all times so you have them when you do a planned or even quick unplanned shopping trip.

    5. Sign Up for your local grocers rewards/loyalty cards as they can save you 10-20% off suggested retail price.

    6. Just because an item says "10 for $10" remember that you don't usually need to buy 10 - Only buy what you will use so you're not wasteful because you will still get the same savings at the checkout lane.

Organize to Save on Travel

    1. For Airline travel, dont book a flight without checking out Sidestep.com first because it's our favorite site for finding the cheapest flights. You can also try Kayak.com if you want another good comparison website.

    2. Go to Airfarewatchdog.com and sign up for email alerts when fares from your local airport go on sale. It's especially great for travel to see family and friends and other places you visit often.

    3. Consider a last minute vacation. Go to a place like Lastminutevacations.com for great deals.

    4. Take advantage of deals in your own city on museums, community events and city passes that offer large discounts and freebies.

    5. Consider a staycation where you can relax and vacation in your own hometown and are a tourist in your own city.

    6. Plan out your outfits with classic mix and matches so you can pack the bare necessities and don't get overcharged on baggage.