Sometimes, eating out can be less expensive than eating in and a lot more fun (but be very careful, because in the long haul eating out on a consistent basis will cost you quite a bit of money and, a much larger waistline). In order to get the most value for your dining experience, buy coupon books from a school and help them make money while you save!

These coupon books are a dream value for saving money. Two for one dinners and entertainment. If you don’t know any kids who are selling them, you can also buy The Entertainment Coupon Book at http://www.entertainment.com. The $10 – $20 you pay for them will return back to you with only a few coupons.

Find a restaurant chain in your area that allows children to eat free during certain nights.  Take advantage of those deals. Bring their friends for more fun! Check out the early bird and lunch specials as well as happy hour for half-priced entrees and hours devours.

Another great tip: Try eating out during lunch. Eating at a restaurant during lunch can be a lot less expensive for the same items than during the dinner hour. Most restaurants use “lunch specials” to draw in customers during a normally slow lunch period.

Some of the finest restaurants have early bird specials that will cost you 2/3 less than ordering during prime time. Many restaurants offer salad or soup, an entrée that includes two vegetables, desert and soda, coffee or tea for one small price. Look for combination meals, rather than ordering al la carte.

A recent five star restaurant we ate in, Pittsburgh, PA offered an incredible deal. For $16, each member of our party had the best meal they had ever eaten. I had the most flavorful, tender steak (12 oz), a large salad (the size of a dinner plate and stacked high), water (although I had my choice of beverages), an incredible rice pilaf and a heaping portion of asparagus and fresh homemade (real) key lime pie all for $16.29 (not including tip of course).

While bringing home a doggy bag may not be your idea of a good taste, you are wasting a lot of money by throwing your meal away, when you could have a great meal the next day as well. If you are reticent about bringing home leftovers, why not ask the restaurant if they serve half portions for less money?

Many restaurants will have a marked down half meal that is not on the menu. If they don’t and you have a friend with you, why not split the meal and the ticket price? You will need to ask the restaurant if there is an extra charge to split a meal. If there is, you may not want to go this route. However, if there isn’t an extra charge, ask for an extra plate so you can split the meal up.

Enjoying a meal now and again at a restaurant with your family or just by yourself can be enjoyable when you learn to save money and pay yourself by doing so.

It sounds so easy. Save money, put it in the bank and count your way to retirement. However, most people do not do it. They wait until the last minute to think about their future and by then, their future has arrived.

It’s time to step out of yesterday’s procrastination and into becoming a doer instead of an ‘I will do it tomorrow’ person. Here are 7 simple steps to saving money right now to help ensure a brighter tomorrow starting today.

1. Plan – Make a budget. Get a piece of paper out (forgo the computer for now) and make two columns. One column is for incoming money. The other column is for outgoing money.List all money that you make that is a sure thing. Then list all the money you spend (save all your receipts, even if you use cash to pay for something, get a receipt).List every bill, every pack of gum, everything. Total both columns separately to find out if you spend more than you make (that’s not such a good thing!) or save more than you spend (that’s a good thing!).

   This will give you a good gauge on where you need to start your planning. If you spend more than you make, start cutting out the extra’s until you can at least save $10 a month. At least $10! More is better of course.

   Don’t buy extras for your children just because you want them to have it or they pester you to death. Show them by example how to grow up to be an adult who is responsible for their finances instead of raising a bunch of future debtors.

   Buying things you can’t afford because you want it now shows your children or other impressionable people that it doesn’t matter if you have the money now, pay for it later or don’t pay for it at all, just get it. Instant gratification when you can’t afford it is not a good thing.

2. Look around the house. Find out where you are losing money from and where extra electricity usage can be saved. Are your appliances energy rated? Call your utility company for a free inspection that will show you how you can save on your bill.Are you paying more than you should for your phone bill? Many times, you can use the internet for free phone calls. Additionally, companies like Qwest have great plans for a flat rate fee. If you have a cell phone, think about disconnecting your house line if you don’t need it.
3. Weatherize your home. Start with the moldings on all doors. Is the weather-stripping still good? If there is a breeze, think about replacing the weather-stripping or placing a blanket or towel at the base to keep cold air out.How are your windows? Weatherizing your windows can be worth more than you think and will save on your electric bill. Generally, window facing west catch most of the wind action and windows facing north catch the coldest action. Use rope caulking or v-seal weather stripping to help you seal the deal and save on your bill. Many of these types of repairs have great rebates and discounts from the government.
4. Buy home furniture and clothing at rummage sales. Check your paper or ask around. Keep an eye out for signs as you are doing your daily drives. Thursday or Friday are when most rummage sales begin and they usually sell most of their goods on the first day.Find areas that are high-end markets to do your rummage sale shopping. I have purchased an entire large bag filled with velvet dresses, designer jeans, etc., tags still hanging on them for $1.50 total.
5. Purchase food items in bulk (forgo fruit and veggies using this method unless you have a large family or it will spoil). Buying dry goods, beans, rice, flour, canned goods and frozen items in this fashion will save you hundreds of dollars. Costco, Sam’s Club and other warehouse stores can be your best ally in the budget saving arena.
6. Save and recycle all plastic and glass bottles. Take your plastic goods and glass containers in for a refund. Push them through the machine yourself (additional money) versus having the attendant do it for you (they take a piece of the pie for their services and you won’t get as much money back).The money you receive from recycling can add up to a tank of gas if you have a mid-sized car or a small trip to the grocery store. Many people toss recyclables out or put them in the recycle bin for the garbage collector. If you do that, you are throwing away money.
7. Plan your shopping trips and shop in the same area. Do not run here and there and everywhere to get your shopping and errands completed. Take a little time to plan a route so you can save on the cost of gasoline.
8. Clip those coupons. Many people pooh pooh coupons, but clipping coupons is all about saving money, especially when you use them on the days when there are already sales. If you use them on those days as well as on double and triple coupon days, you have saved money and paid yourself for thinking ahead.

Just a few years ago, women were the chief buyers of hair and skin products. This is not the case anymore. More and more, men are becoming a large percentage of the buying population in these categories. Realizing that their skin and hair are just as important, and looking fresh and vital can give them an edge in a competitive market, they are becoming more aware of their appearance other than apparel. How can you pick the best products and when can you shop for the best deals?

For men and women, trying samples is your best bet to begin saving money. If you don’t know which product works with your skin and hair, you may end up with a closet filled with products you spent money on, but will never use. Free samples allow you to find out if the product works for you. E.g. do you like the smell? Does it cause reactions in your skin? Does it work? Samples allow you to try the product free before you pay large amounts at the drug store, bargain store, department Store or beauty supply shop.

Tip 1 Use your favorite search engine and type in the phrase “free samples.” My motto is, “Before you buy, definitely try.”

Check sites that offer free samples for the cosmetics, hair and skin care you are interested in. (Never pay for a sample.) Examples: www.walmart.com has a “featured free samples” section on their website. Frizz-Ease, John Frieda Hair care, Always Clean and many more are available to try. www.freakyfreddies.com has Schick Quattro razor samples, Olay, Curel, Lancôme, L’Oreal, Mary Kay, Revlon and more. Once you make a decision on the brand and type of product that works well with you, it’s time to shop and save a lot of money. Listed below are a few stores and when their best sales happen.

Tip 2 Before you hit the store, check their online website.

Go online to the products website to find any coupons they offer. Many times, you can get even further discounts by checking online and printing coupons. Additionally, often the same websites have a one-day deal and buy-one-get-one free offers. They don’t offer it in the stores, only on the websites.

Tip 3 Freshness counts in the cosmetics isle.

You always want fresh cosmetics. Older cosmetics that may have been on the shelf for a while, won’t work as well. For cosmetics, I believe it’s always best to go to Department stores. Department stores will also have free samples and they will demo products on your skin.

Most stores have their best sales in October, the day after Thanksgiving. Lotions and regular shampoo can be purchased at drug stores such as Walgreens or Wal-Mart. Keep a look out for 25% – 50% more bottles (these are usually hidden behind other bottles.) The retail price is the same. My motto is, “Why pay more for less?” Get what you pay for.

Tip 4 Professional shampoos and conditioners are less expensive and you use less product in the end.

Shampoo is not always a good buy at a drug store or department store. I have found throughout my life, that no matter how poor I was, going to a beauty supply store, was always the best deal and ultimately a lot less expensive. To verify what I have experienced myself, I did my own study.

Step 1. I had several family and friends purchase regular shampoo, on sale at a drug store and kept track of how long a 12 oz bottle lasted. In most cases, the shampoo was used up in two weeks. One person lasted a month, another family less than a week. Average price for the shampoo was $6.45 per bottle.

Step 2. Head to the beauty supply store (not a beauty salon. A beauty salon will cost more. Most states have beauty supply stores that are now available to the public). The cost of the shampoo from the beauty supply store was $21.95 for 33.8 oz bottle. Each poured the shampoo into the 12 oz used shampoo bottle. In most cases the 12 oz bottle of professional shampoo lasted five weeks and their hair was shinny and in better condition. The conclusion was that it was a lot less expensive to purchase shampoo and conditioner at a beauty supply store. To achieve the same results a lot more shampoo had to be used in order to get a lather from the non-professional shampoo’s and conditioners. For me, a 33.8 oz shampoo bottle lasted two people, four months.

Tip 5 Hair coloring products.

These products can be purchased anywhere. The best deals I have seen are at Wal-Mart consistently and Long’s Drug Store has periodic sales of 60% off. Look for these deals and stock up.

Tip 6 Coupons, frequent buyer cards as well as checking a stores sale times are really your best friends when shopping.

Would you throw a $1, $5 or $10 bill in the garbage can? That’s what happens when you don’t use coupons, frequent buyer cards and planning for stores sales. I usually save $6 – $20 off my next purchase. (They punch a hole for every $1 spent.)

Tip 7 If you like a product or are unhappy with one, call the manufacturer up right away.

In many cases, they will send you coupons, free goods and even prepaid cards to use in their stores. I have over $65 from two stores and 15 minutes of my time to use right now from two weeks ago. If I were going on an hourly rate, I have paid myself $260 an hour for letting the manufacturer know how I feel.