How can I save money with High gas prices and Food prices

I started with using coupons. I set up a spreadsheet and updated it yesterday. Since May 1, 2008 when I started using coupons I have saved almost 1400 in one month just on food. We actually buy more food now with less out of pocket expense. When I told my husband he was shocked that we saved that much money.

I liked the things the others have said. A few more ideas I have...save all of your change. When you purchase something with cash don't dig for change to pay the exact amount, just use paper money and at the end of the day drop all your accumulated change in a jar...I prefer a plastic gallon milk jug because it's harder to get the money out of and reduces those craving purchases. Also every day or every few days go through your paper money...you can find a system that works for you...for my $1's I make sure I have an amount on the fives (no idea how to word that...I keep 5 or 10 or 15 and so on) So if I have 12 $1's, two go in the jar. Sometimes I'll have an extra or lonely $5...like 3 $5's, one will go in the jar. Or 1 $5 among other bills, that's the "lonely" one and goes in the jar. If I get unexpected or gift money I put at least half in the jar. That alone might not add up to $20 a week but it does add up surprisingly fast...I had saved $84 between mid September and Christmas last year. Another idea that goes with this and using coupons...usually the end of the receipt will show you how much you saved by buying on sale or using coupons, put that saving into your jar too instead of letting it just disappear on other purchases. You can probably even do the same if you switch to store brand products. Note the cost of the brand name and put the difference in your jar. I know I keep referring to a "jar" (or milk jug) and you said savings account but I don't imagine you want to go to the bank everyday to make deposits of a handful of change LOL! Save it in your jar or whatever until it makes sense and to do a real deposit at the bank.

That's a really hard question, not knowing your circumstances. Every situation is different and responds to different things. However, to save on food, you can shop only the sales (for the most part), try not to waste leftovers, grow some of your own, etc. I wrote a couple of articles that might help you: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/774639/beat_the_high_cost_of_food_eat_the.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/755215/beat_the_high_cost_of_food_get_it_free.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/722649/beat_the_high_cost_of_food_shop_the.html Ok, that's three. As far as gas goes, try not to drive more than you have to. I know that's a no brainer, but sometimes we have to work at doing things differently than we're used to. Carpool, ride a bike, walk, take public transportation, stay home when you don't have to go anywhere. Plan errands to burn the least amount of gas. Other than those two things, making a budget and sticking to it is probably the best way to save money.

Hi livinglegend7, I do understand how do you feel. Well the gas and food price been rose up in these days. My friend got a very good tip on how to save the gas in our vehicle. Her friend told he that we must make sure the gas in our vehicle must be more than half of tank all the time. The reason is when the tank is pretty empty (the gas less than half of the tank) the air that contain in the tank does make more heavy pressure for the gas. That's why when we use the vehicle in that empty tank the gas will be burnt faster. I did try and I think it's worth enough. For the food price, we know that we could do something on it.Why don't we plant our own foods i.e vegetable,onion, chili, potato,and other fruits. My mom does that and sometimes we even couldn't finish it by own till we gave those to our neighbor.Well, I hope my tips could help you on giving your idea to save the money!

Try not to use as much gasoline, and maybe cut your AC up a bit warmer. That will save on both your light bill and your gas bill. Other than that, try to buy things in bulk when possible. They are cheaper that way and last longer as well.

plan you meals ahead of time; shop at thrift stores; plan purchases; make lists - there are a lot of great ideas that you can do if you look for them - there are alot of great websites out there that will help you in your quest.

Keep your gas tank full as possible and fill it when the temp is cool outside to be sure your getting your money's worth. If you fill up when it is hot you end up getting more fumes than real gas. If your going to do the coupon thing make sure it is for a product that you normally buy, But check out the store brand first to make sure you are really getting a saving. With coupons you usually will pay more than the store brand. Also with coupons Some stores will give you double or triple discounts on certain days. If you do the money jar that was suggested, be sure that you roll your coins yourself because it could cost more than your saving by using one of those money counting machines. Start cooking from scratch Besides it is healthier too. Not all those additives. you can make your own convince foods. I keep cooked rice in my freezer and some times I make a good number of extra things like pancake and freeze them. Find recipes that stretch your meat like stir fries,Meat in gravy to go over noodles, rice or potatoes. You can make a lot more with the vanities of beens out there than just soup or Mexican dishes. You can make burgers and sandwich spreads with the cooked dry beans that are pretty good. Start sub vegetarian meals at least a couple of times or more a week.

Of course gas prices affect me, in the cost of shipping etc. but I don't have a car, so they don't affect me directly. Are you able to take the bus, where possible? Try to avoid taxis, as they are getting more expensive every day.

If you really want to put some money in savings, I would say "pay yourself first," that's what all those financial gurus on TV say. It means, put that $20 in savings at the beginning of the week, and then figure out how to live on the rest. Because, if you have the money with you, it is easier to find a way to spend it than to save it.

I think more and more people will be looking to do exactly what you are trying to do in the coming months. Hopefully it gets better soon, but I just don't see it happening. I use coupons as often as possible and since I work within a mile of a bunch of big stores (WalMart, Costco, BJ's and a Target set to open later this month) I can shop for the best prices without wasting a lot of gas. I get cash back when I shop online and I'm finding some pretty good online deals ( discounts not found in the stores, free shipping) and I shop at store where I can get cash back incentives- which have really helped! Planning shopping trips in area where we can run several errands in one trip have helped us save at the gas pump and we stopped buying the treats like ice cream, unless it's on sale and/or we have a coupon. It doesn't take much effort and it has helped us stretch our money further.

I also am feeling the pinch with food and fuel. I drive over 50 miles a day back and forth to work and my wife also does 40 miles a day. So fuel is over 400.00 dollars a month just to get to work. We have been using a fuel additive over the last couple months, which has improved our miles per gal. by around 30%. It also cleans the carbon out of the engine, which means we can drive more miles and less oil changes. This has saved big bucks on maintaining our vehicles. As for the food part, we buy bulk, have a garden, and watch for deals. We have 5 people in our family so the bulk thing works good, but if you are single or just a couple it may not be the best choice. Just keep researching, it's all a learning process. Good luck

Use coupons drive way less and get a bike or move closer to shopping/grocery store areas.