Use your head (or a calculator)

Growing up I used to always love going to the grocery store with my mom. She had it down to a science, where she would hit Mars first and then Giant or the A&P and then for a very few special items Grauls, and then we were home. Every once in awhile I could convince her we "needed" Klondike bars or donuts, or if I was really lucky Green's Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.

These trips created fond memories for us, but they also taught me a valuable lesson. My mom ALWAYS knew (and still does) how much the bill would cost within a few dollars before we hit the checkout! She would keep track in her head how much each item was and add up as we went along, and she always factored in coupons.

Now, I do this. Between my mom and Catholic school education, my basic math skills are top notch -- note I said basic. I do this with everything, not just the grocery store, but credit cards, speciality stores, Christmas presents, you name it. Last month when our credit card bill arrived my husband opened and asked me to guess...I was within $8, and the bill was more than $600!

I was saving this tip for later, but I saw this article in Parade over the weekend where they talk abut bringing a calculator in the store with you to keep track. There are some other tips included, so I thought it was relevant and timely. I hate big purses, so no chance am I lugging a calculator in there (and if you say its on my cell phone, there is a 50/50 chance that is still in the car...ha!).

Keeping track, whether by calculator or in your mind, will help you save money. You will know if you can afford those donuts or not and you won't have any unexpected surprises. In the end, isn't that what saving is all about?