Stay Out of Stores to Save Money

The best way to stop spending money is to stay out of the stores or the yard sales or thrift shops. Sometimes we think we are saving money by shopping sales and taking advantage of specials or coupons, but that is true only if you really need something. I love finding good deals but I realize that many of my purchases are do to recreational shopping.

Rather than focus on the shopping, now I try to come up with creative ways to utilize what I already have to meet my needs or wants. If I buy something that is not a true necessity, that is OK. I just try to realize that the activity and purchase is entertainment, not particularly money saving!

By M in NM from Socorro, NM