Start Saving Now

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Start Saving Right Now

Everybody is looking for ways to save these days, especially busy moms trying to run a household and keep kids happy at the same time. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can start saving right now without too much extra effort. Individually, the

savings may not seem like much, but can amount to a decent chunk of extra change at the end of the month. So stop checking the couch cushions for spare change and get ready to start seeing saving.

Online Savings

A good place to start is online. Sites like Groupon and Living Social are excellent for families. You can find lots of great deals, especially if you buy in bulk. Auction sites like eBay and Amazon are good sites to get books, games and various technical gadgets for your kids. Just remember to check what the shipping rate is before you make a final purchase. Many sellers charge a low price, but you are still hit with a substantial shipping charge. Some popular sites offer free shipping days. Free-shipping-codes.com is a good site to find coupon codes for major online retailers to use before you checkout. If you’re too busy to go to the pharmacy, consider using an online pharmacy to deliver medications and savings.

Discount Stores

You’re probably already familiar with the benefits of shopping at huge mass market chains, but other discounts stores can offer real bargains, too. These stores may require more time and effort on your part, but they also deliver more savings. Even thrift stores can be a great place to find some gently used household items and other hidden treasures. Spend a Saturday going to community yard sales. You can find a list of many of these events online or just by looking for signs posted in your neighborhood.

Bank Account/Insurance

Check with your bank to find out if you are being charged any “hidden fees” for things like using the

ATM or talking to a real teller. If you can’t get these fees eliminated, consider switching banks. Another way to save is to eliminate insurance options you are not using. If your kids got new glasses last year, consider dropping vision coverage for at least a year. Check with your insurance agent to see if you can consolidate your coverage with one company. This is a good way to eliminate duplicate coverage. Some insurance companies offer discounts for multiple policyholders.

Entertainment/Dining

A home cooked meal is an easy way to save money, but even the most thrifty mom needs a break from kitchen duty every now and then. Considering purchasing an Entertainment Book. This book of coupons is usually available in the fall, but it’s cheaper if you buy the book in January. It has coupons for many popular restaurant chains, movie theaters, hotels and more. If you have a large family, look for restaurants that offer complete meals for two for $20 and under. Fandango.com offers movie tickets and special deals for many popular releases. Think about ditching your premium movie channels and instead opt for Netflix or Redbox for your movie rentals. Most of the titles are fairly recent and 16 rentals a month is cheaper than a month of a premium movie channel. Many local amusement and theme parks also offer special discount days. Check online for details.

Follow these tips and you’ll find you really won’t be sacrificing too much to save a few bucks. You can still find plenty of places where you and your family can enjoy an evening out without breaking the bank. In today’s economy, there isn’t much to be said for being spontaneous. All it really takes to start saving is a little planning. Your best bet is to start online, but discounts can be found just about anywhere these days. And if you do it right, your kids will never even know you’re saving anything. After all, moms have to have some secrets.

Author Sally Heinlich is an accountant and blogs for wisebread.com, where you can read reviews on the starwood preferred guest american express.