How to Save Money During the Spring Season

Spring is a time for renewal, getting a fresh start and making changes. Spring is also a great time to catch bargains and save money. Retail stores begin to mark up their prices, gas prices start to increase and consumers start to venture outdoors more.

Food prices have also increased. Prices on corn, wheat, soybeans and sugar have increased 40% or more in the past few months. According to CNN food prices are 2.9% higher than they were a year ago. You can still go shopping but look for ways to save money while making your purchases. Here are 15 tips on how to save money during the spring season.

1. Shopping. If you must go shopping during the spring season wait until retail stores offer sales on off-season items. You can save up to 50% off the regular price. The best items to buy in the spring are linen and handbags.
2. Outdoor. If you like doing activities outdoors shop for off-season items for fall or winter sports such as skis, ski suits, hats, gloves, boots or other items.
3. Free Events. Participate in free activities in your local community by viewing local newspapers and magazines for events that occur during the spring season.
4. Food. Buy in-season items or visit local farmers to get deals on foods. Buy in-season fruits and vegetables such as: mango, pineapple, strawberries, carrots, asparagus, collard greens, mustard greens, spinach, and artichokes.
5. Online. View website such as Groupon or Living Social for discounts and specials. Also visit social media websites for spring season deals.
6. Local. Visit local vendors to get deals on items and help support local businesses in your area.
7. Consignment. Visit consignment shops for clothes brought in by those who have done spring cleaning in their closets.
8. Specials. Setup alerts, subscribe to newsletters or visit websites to purchase gift certificates or gift cards which can be used in the future.
9. Groceries. Use the oven less and prepare meals ahead of time. Pull out the George Forman grill or your gas grill and prepare meat and vegetables on the grill to save on electricity.
10. Utilities. Open the blinds during the day to let heat in if it is cool at night where you live to save on heating costs. If you live in a warm climate open the windows before you go to bed or in the morning to cool off your home. Keep the blinds closed during the day to keep the heat out.
11. Insulate. Make sure you home is properly insulated to prevent heat from escaping through windows and doors and to save money on utility costs. Seal any cracks that appear in your home.
12. Thermostat. Set your thermoset at 78°F when at home and increase the temperature while you are away from home to save money on cooling costs.
13. Use Fans. Use ceiling fans to help circulate air.
14. Maintenance. Schedule regular maintenance for your heating and cooling units.
15. Water Heat. As spring approaches turn down the temperature of your hot water heater and set it to 120°F to lower your heating costs.

How to Save Money With Coupons

With the economy on a down-slide today, it is most important that we consumers save money as best as possible. One way of doing this is through an old reliable method known as "Coupon Clipping". There are many ways of obtaining coupons today and sacrificing the time to do so is well worth the savings. One way is investing $1.50 by buying the Sunday paper.

There are loads of coupons and what is great is that most coupons do not expire for months. Furthermore, you may use them at other places besides the supermarket. Places of acceptance CVS, Target, Kmart, etc. Now for the places such as Sam's Club, they do not accept manufacturer's coupons. But all is not lost, they have a mailing list of their members and mail out their own coupons.

Other places to obtain coupons are directly from the stores via the Internet and CVS has set up little kiosks within their stores. All you have to do is swipe your CVS card and coupons print right out and the other great part is that you do not have to use them that same day. Get on the coupon emailing and postal mailing lists, Valupak, does this via the Internet and postal mail for establishments within your area.

I get coupons for the salon, car wash, home repairs, etc. Going to the dealership to have maintenance done on you car can be expensive, not if you are on their mailing list. You can receive coupons for low cost or free oil changes, free 10-20 point inspections, 10-20% percent off of repairs and so forth.

These savings can add up all it takes is a little time and you can spend $150 per week and save almost $100. Beware of groups and clubs that want you to pay for your savings, what you pay them per month to receive their services you can get for free. Other savings come in the form of registering your email address with companies/stores you shop at on a regular basis. They will email you the latest sales and coupon codes for extra savings. Stores that do this are: Macy's, J C Penney, CVS, and so forth. Some will even send you links to receive free samples.

Example of how I make coupons work for me. On a Sunday night while relaxing and watching television I sit down with my coupons, weed out the expired ones, take out the coupons I will need, and clip fresh coupons from the Sunday paper. I have a small plastic portfolio that I keep in my car all times just in case I stop at the store. I went shopping at the CVS last month, I did what I call coupon shopping. That is only buying what I had coupons for, items that I need. My total came to $95.00, with my CVS card and CVS coupons and manufacturers coupons my new total was $40.00. That is a savings of $55.00. Furthermore, I was able to obtain more CVS bucks.

I am a single woman and I need to save has much as possible. Furthermore, don't forget to refinance, this is advice from Harrine Freeman. Refinancing has also saved me money. Well until next time, clip coupons and save, save, save.

Teri Ghaffaar
ebonytulipcollection@gmail.com