Time Really Is Money

We’ve become a culture of convenience, and like everything else, moderation is key. I subscribe to a few helpful services, such as The Grocery Game (www.thegrocerygame.com), which compiles a list each week of grocery store deals and combines them with coupons available in the Oregonian. Therefore, I also subscribe to the Sunday Oregonian and receive the Food Day for free. These two memberships together cost me about $10 a month, but save me hours of research.

What good is a coupon if you lose it? I keep a small accordion file in my purse, labeled with food categories (Dairy, Cereal, Snacks, etc.). I also have a couple of sections for Entertainment, which keeps my restaurant coupons from the Entertainment Book ($20 a year) and community publications, as well as discounts to movies, the aquatic park, and museums.

Free stuff is even better than coupons. Did you know that you can get free Redbox rentals? Sign up for a weekly cell phone reminder and they’ll send you promotional codes. I’ve also signed up for My Points (www.mypoints.com), which sends emails regarding different services and retail centers to your email address each week. The points add up, and soon you can order a variety of different gift cards to major retailers, all for free (if you make online purchases through their bargain outlets, you can earn points faster and often receive free shipping). For more online shopping coupons, google “coupon codes”.

There are other, very simple, philosophical changes that will help your wallet, our local economy, and the earth. Make consistent rounds of thrift stores in your area. Search out bargain outlets for food (watch expiration dates). Consider buying a display model (our most recent purchase saved us 75% off retail price). Don’t be afraid to negotiate, even in a major retailer.

You’re practicing good stewardship when you focus on saving income and the earth. Last week’s Food Day ran an article about four Portland families who substantially cut their monthly spending. For even more ideas, you can find this article at http://www.oregonlive.com/foodday/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/living/1207943721206420.xml&coll=7.

Happy Saving!

This article first appeared at www.oregonlive.com/oregonianopinion.