Money-saving strategies to help reduce household expenses.

Simplify, Substitute and Share:
You can cut down on household expenses and clutter by considering three words before making a purchase:
*Simplify: Do I really need this item?
*Substitute: Can I get something else that costs less? Can I make it myself?
*Share: Can I borrow this item? Would someone else agree to split the cost?

Declare a Time-Out: If you need to save money to catch up on bills or just get a little ahead, declare a "no spending" month in which you only pay bills and buy necessities such as food, diapers and gas. That means no toys, books, haircuts, movie rentals, clothes or eating out. You'll be amazed at how much you'll save.

Clean Up: The markup on household cleaning products is huge, so consider making your own household cleaners. An excellent how-to book on the subject of nontoxic homemade cleaners is Clean and Green by Annie Berthold-Bond.

Get Thrifty: Remember infants and young children have no label preference (unless you instill it). You can save a lot during these years by using hand-me-downs or buying at secondhand stores and garage sales.

Save at the Grocery Store:
*Save money when you buy bread, rolls and snack cakes from a bread or bakery outlet.
*Purchase nonfood items at a discount store instead of the grocery store.
*The best deals on grocery store aisles are on the top and bottom shelves. Manufacturers pay a premuim to display their goods at eye level and pass the costs on to you.
*Don't buy food you're not going to use from a warehouse club. Buying more than you need is wasteful regardless of how low the price. Consider dividing bulk goods and their costs among friends and neighbors.
*Keep nonperishable snacks and drinks in the car to cut down on visits to the fast food drive-throughs and convenience stores.

Save Seasonally: There are times of the year when certainitems are less expensive. Shop off-season and save yourself a bundle.
*January: Christmas decorations, cards and wrapping; winter clothing and bedding.
*February:housewares and small appliances; furniture; jewelry and chocolates.
*March: outerware; gardening supplies; luggage.