Thrifty Thursday - Planning Ahead To Save

This week for my Thrifty Thursday post, I'm talking about planning ahead to save money.

This works from everything from menu planning (seriously, just because you make a menu plan, doesn't mean you can't change it at the last minute for something else you crave sometimes!) to keeping greeting cards for every occasion just in case you forgot an important date (cards can be 2/$1 at the dollar store, instead of $3.99 at the grocery store on that quick last second run!)

Own a small to medium insulated lunch tote and ice pack. Get in the habit of having it almost ready to go, so you can always have a cold drink or two while out shopping, or at kids activities if you're a parent. Instead of paying $1.00 - $1.50 for a soda or bottle of water, your cost can be under $0.25 each. (and, having the ice packs ready to go in your freezer helps your food stay frozen longer if you loose the power!)

Keep a couple of frozen dinners purchased on sale, or make ahead a frozen meal or two that is easily reheated, such as lasagna, for days that you come home late and too tired to cook. This could save you as much as $20-40 on carry out or delivery pizza instead, and it's ready out of the oven in about the same time as that pizza would be delivered.

Keep a hidden stash of toilet paper or paper towels that you can pull out if you run out before you restock normally. A single roll of either hidden behind towels will keep you going until you go back out shopping. (Just remember where it is, and to replace it once you've used it!) Not only will it save you gas on a late night trip, you can also avoid paying what will probably be the non-sale price and save a few dollars that way. (as well as other items you might be tempted to grab with late night cravings!)

Keep that grocery list up to date! If it's a non-perishable item, you can always purchase a replacement when you are about half way through it, so you are able to get the best possible price when it is on sale.

BTW, for those of you who are also roasting in this heat wave, check out my Tips on Keeping Cool post from last Summer with some cheap tips to keep cool!