Now that the economy is depressed, families have to save money on what they buy. They use coupons on grocery items and shop closer to home to save on gas. They need to continue to buy gas to enable them to get to work and back and go shopping.

The larger stores have a large stock of diverse items for sale. Shopping in one store rather than driving to two or more locations is another way to save money on gas. There are multifaceted department stores where you can find everything from groceries to school supplies to a new toaster or stainless steel rice cooker. These places usually have reasonable to very low prices too. That is an additional advantage.

You will find it easy to keep up with the Jones now. They need to save money just like you. If Mrs. Jones bought a new swimming pool last year, she will be lucky to afford the chemicals to keep it clean this year. Her husband will have to put off buying a new car.

When Mr Smith next door started restoring a classic car, he was excited about a certain color of paint. Then the clerk at the auto supply store said it was twice as expensive as the other paint of comparable quality, he changed his mind. He chose a color that was close to the same, and cost much less.

Since he pays 30 percent on his income he is prevented from buying whatever he wants. He still bought the paint, but a cheaper brand. He did buy car doors though in spite of the impracticality of the purchase.

Mr. And Mrs. Smith shop for groceries at a large superstore They find many other products there too. Usually, they fill a shopping cart with non-perishable merchandise and then add the milk and eggs just before checking out. Last weekend they spotted the nice homelite chainsaw they had been waiting for and it was on sale. They took it home and put the extra savings in their economy jar. Each time they save, they do that to keep track.

They count it out when they feel like gloating and put it in their bank account. They keep track of how much they save. When Mrs. Smith wanted a nice gift for a bridal shower, she found an attractive sanyo rice cooker for a low price and purchased it for the gift. Name brand quality at a low price is always a bargain.

Whether shopping for a sanyo rice cooker or a week’s worth of groceries, the Smiths are conscious of saving as much money as possible. As long as the quality is high, buying what is on sale makes good sense. They do not resort to inferior products or day old bread, they simply buy the quality merchandise at the right time.