Quote of the day: Your spending money frivolously is not going to save the economy.

It’s Super Bowl weekend. You’re probably getting ready for the big party. If you have not already bought all of the chips, dips and soft drinks you’re taking with you consider this. Become a member at your local supermarket if you are not already. Nearly all of the major grocery stores now offer free memberships that offer great bargains. Even when the items are on sale for everyone members often save even more. It takes no time to sign up and they can do it for you right at the register when you check out.

If you want to save even more you may have to pay a small annual fee to join one of the big discount warehouses: Sam’s Club and Costco. The Sam’s Club membership is $40/year and we save at least that at their gas pumps. In the store you will probably have to buy at least twice as many of something as what you need right now, so stock up. You will end up paying less and making fewer trips to the grocery store.

To best utilize your membership rewards become a member at as many places as possible. Check the weekly ads to see who has what on sale. Don’t just automatically run to the place that’s nearest your home. Drive a couple miles out of your way. Make a few stops at a few different stores and buy just the sale items. You’ll probably find everything on your list on sale somewhere! And as long as you’re stopping at each place take a notepad and compare prices. Your local grocer may have a better deal than the jumbo discount store this week…

Saving tip of the day: Plan ahead! Plan out your meals for the week. Check the weekly flyers (It’s not always junk mail) and see what is on sale this week. You may not get to have steak this Tuesday, but maybe steaks will be the deal next week.