12 Ways to Spend Less on Food

by Danek S. Kaus

Gas is not the only thing getting more expensive.  Food is also getting costly.  If you're looking for ways to spendless while still eating well, follow these tips:

 Shop on a full stomach. You'll be less likely to buy impulseitems.

 You'll spend less money if you shop with a list. So write downwhat you need and buy only what is on the list.

 Consider buying generic items. Most of them taste just as goodas the over-priced brands.

 Read the flyers you get in your mailbox. Look for the grocerystore coupons and clip them.

 You can reduce your costs by eliminating many or all of theconvenience foods -- the ones that you just heat up. Keep in mind, you pay forall that "convenience."

 Before buying any bulk item, check the unit price and compare itto a standard size package of the same brand. Sometimes the bulk items costsmore per unit.

 Shop at a farmer’s market. You can save a lot of money on produce, and get better quality.

 Watch the register as they scan each item. Those automaticscanners sometimes make mistakes that can cost you more.

 Buy each type of produce only when it is in season. Importedproduce is much more expensive.

 Why pay extra for lousy fast food? Bring your lunch to work. Ifyou only save three bucks a day, that's an extra $60 per month in your pocketor about $720 per year – just for lunch.

 When feasible, buy items in the bulk bins.  Much of the cost of food is theexpensive packing.

 Only go down isles where stuff on your list is.  It’s another way to avoid impulsebuying.

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 How to Save Money on Gas

By Danek S. Kaus

1. Avoid idling as much as possible. Modern engines do not need to be warmed up. Infact, they warm up better by driving them slowly, under a light load. Instead of using the drive-up window at the local fast food joint, consider going inside instead. If you do use the pick-up window, turn off the engine while you are in line. It takes less gas to restart a warmed-up engine than it does to idle for 30 seconds or more.

2. Accelerateand decelerate slowly. Don’t stomp on the gas peddle when the light turns green. Try to anticipate traffic flow and drive accordingly, keeping safety in mind at all times.

3. Lightenthe load. If you have a bunch of stuff in your car that you don’t need with you, store it somewhere else. The more your car weighs, the more gas the enginemust burn.

4. Combine trips. Try to run all your errands at one time. Planning ahead for what youneed to buy and do can save a lot of trips and miles.

5. Check tire pressure. Improperly inflated tires create drag and reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 2%. Properly inflated are safer and they last longer.

6. Use the right gas. Check your owner’s manual for the right grade of gas for your car. It is a waste of money to use a higher grade then recommended.

7. Close the gas cap properly. Make sure the seal is tight. If you buy a replacement cap, make sure it is the right one for your make and model.

8. Change theair filter regularly. A clogged filter reduces mileage.

9. Change the spark plugs. Make sure to install new ones at the appropriate intervals toimprove mileage.

10. Drive afuel-efficient vehicle. If you have more than one vehicle, drive the one with the best mileage rating whenever possible.

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