Every year stress is a main ingredient during the holidays. With Halloween around the corner and Thanksgiving and Christmas not far off, most of us think say the same thing to ourselves: This is the year I will shop early so I can avoid last minute shopping. I will begin the holiday season fully relaxed and enjoy it!

Yet every year time seems to slip away and suddenly the holidays arrive. You end up racing to the stores, panic-stricken, trying to find candy in the empty racks or a beautiful turkey for the dinner table that is now triple the price because the only store that has any left is the high-end market down the street.

Even worse, when you need to find that ideal last-minute gift for your loved ones, it is no longer available in the color or size needed and all the toys requested from Santa are sold out with no re-stocks in the near future. You end up paying far too much money for something that will most likely be returned or never used.

How can you beat pre-holiday stress and save big bucks at the same time?  Start today. The time to put a plan into action is now. Halloween is nearly here and there are big savings in the candy isle already featuring Halloween candy. Buy the candy now, wrap it in a brown paper bag and hide it in your freezer so no one knows it’s there but you. If you are a candy nut like me, buy a bit for yourself so you won’t be tempted to snarf it.

Now is also the time to plan for Thanksgiving and Christmas. While the meat is not on sale yet, you can call your local market and ask the store manager when their holiday meats will go on sale. Most store managers will give you an approximate date for when the meat you desire will go on sale at their store. Mark that date on your calendar.

How many times have you said to yourself: This year I will get Christmas cards out. Before you know it December is nearly over and Christmas is days away. You haven’t purchased the Christmas cards let alone put a stamp on one and you are too busy with everything else to do it. You beat yourself up, frustrated that yet again, you are too late and time has run out. To avoid this frustrating cycle, start now when you aren’t as busy as you will be later on in the season.

Do one envelope a day or two or three a week and by Christmas, you will have reached your goal. If you don’t have Christmas cards left over from last year, do a Christmas letter instead to save time and money. Then after Christmas buy the cards for next year at 75% off so you’ll have the cards ready to go for next year.

Now is also the time to shop for Christmas gifts. Many huge sales take place during Back to School Days and the day after Thanksgiving. Most stores have huge discounts on name brand clothing, toys and jewelry to name just a few categories.

Example: Last year a diamond bracelet valued at $5,000 was on sale for $199.00 but only the day after Thanksgiving and only during the early bird special. That’s typical of the type of sales you can expect if you do your research.

Check out the stock in the store now if you’re already there and make a list of what you would like to buy on sale the day after Thanksgiving so you are prepared to head straight to the departments needed. Making a road map of what department you want to hit first, will help you avoid wandering aimlessly and missing the items you’ve placed on your list. If you think of it as a game show or competition, you’ll be more inspired.

There are many more stress busting ideas and ways to save money that you can come up with on your own. These are just a few to get you started. The main goal is to start now and be ready when the time comes so you won’t be shopping when you’re stressed out and frustrated. Make the time now and you’ll be enjoying the holidays as you did when you were a kid.

No matter how tight your budget gets or how much money you aren’t bringing home after taxes, you can count on one thing, you and your family will always need food. There are many ways to save on food shopping. The following are 11 money saving tips when you make your trek to the grocery store.

1. Buy what is known in the grocery industry as ‘loss leaders.’ Loss leaders are overstocked items the store needs to get rid of to make room for the new stock coming in daily. Not enough room on the shelves for all of it can mean big savings for you.

1. Call your local food store and find out when they typically have sales. You can go too my website: www.thequeenofgreen.com to find many stores across the United States and when they have sales. Take advantage of the ‘buy one get, one free’ or even better ten for $10.00 deals. Recently I observed a sale on nearly all boxes of cereal twenty for $20 or $1 a box at Albertsons. Most of these sales don’t even require you to buy all five or ten boxes; you can buy one box for one dollar, or two.

1. Take advantage of rain checks when there are sales. If the store runs out of the items you want that are on sale, ask the store for a raincheck. Most stores will issue a rain check that is usually good for 90 days. If you drive by that same store every day, you can stop every day and get a rain check every day they are out of stock, if you are ambitious enough.

1. Look for rebates, fill out the forms immediately when you get home so you don’t forget. This is money in the mail and paying yourself back.

1. Make sure to get great fruits and veggies just about every time. Throwing away your fresh produce is throwing away your money. Here are a few tips to help you avoid throwing away your produce and get the most tasty produce you can.

Lettuce

Always check inside the bunch, if it’s loose leaf, to see if there is anything that looks old or is wilting. For iceberg lettuce, pick it up and gently squeeze. If it’s firm and heavy, you are getting more for your money.

Fruits

Most fruits with edible skin, will taste like they smell. If it doesn’t smell like a sweet peach or nectarine, it most likely won’t taste like one either. To help ripen fruits like this faster, put them into a brown paper bag overnight.

Fruit that is cold won’t have as much scent so it’s harder to tell, but may still have a faint odor and will taste like the odor when eaten.

To get a crunchy juicy apple every time, it’s all about the ping. Look at the apple and make sure it doesn’t have any flaws on the outside and is the general color you are looking for.

Hold it to your ear and gently take your forefinger and ping the apple as if you were flicking something off it. Don’t flick too hard because don’t want to bruise it. If the sound is thuddy, dull or hollow, you have a dud. It will be dry, grainy and YUCK! If you hear a high pitch sound that rings, you have a crisp juicy apple that is sure to please.

Cherries

Cherries should be firm, not soft or they will be mushy and won’t have optimum flavor.  They are too ripe and probably old if they are too soft.

Corn

Corn should have small kernels or it may be tough.

Grapes

Grapes should have no rippling in the skin and be firm, but not hard.  Smaller ones tend to be sweeter, larger tend to be overgrown, tough and watery. 

These are just a few examples of how to pick your produce.

1. Buy in bulk. Look at the per ounce on the price tag on the shelf in small writing. Sometimes the per ounce is less expensive than the on sale price. Buying in bulk can really help you save as well, but check prices against places like Sam’s Club and Costco as it may be less expensive there.

1. Look at unit prices to make sure you are receiving the best deal. Buying bigger doesn’t always mean it’s the least expensive and visa versa.

1. Don’t compromise on what you love the taste of, for what you don’t adore, because it’s cheaper. If you do, you will end up not eating it and throwing it away and throwing your money in the trash can again.

1. Buy the holiday candy you crave on sale and put it in your freezer. Don’t get too much though, because the freezer doesn’t mean forever (freezer burn tastes awful).

During a holiday season one year, my sister and I went around to all of the stores in town (keep in mind that her family are chocoholics) to purchase M&M, Reese’s (all single candy items), Mars, Snickers, and many more that were on sale at a single chain store for ten cents each. Yes, that’s right, $0.10! These were full size bars that normally retail for $0.89 and it wasn’t after Halloween, it was before!

1. Buy no-name brand snacks at wholesaler stores such as the hostess shop, etc. When you buy the less expensive brands such as “Little Debbie”, and then freeze the ones that are suitable for freezers, you are saving quite a bit of money.

1. Look down and up, not in the middle when you are in the grocery store. Many stores will put their most expensive items at eye level, because they know that products at eye level sell better. Eye level in stores is considered about from your waist to your shoulders. Less expensive brands will be on the upper or lower shelves. So search for those bargains, by simply looking up, or down!

The most important tip I can offer is the old adage, ‘waste not, want not.’ I am guilty of this, as are many of us, but having been at the other end of poverty, I try to avoid throwing my money in the garbage when it comes to food.

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.