Jill's Favorites

Ok. She’s Oprah, so what could she possibly know about spending frugally and shopping traps??

I’m ” not-such-a-big-fan” of Oprah, but I do admire her for many things. One thing is she surrounds herself with all kinds of people, from all walks of life to work with her and thus she attracts all kinds of people from all walks of life to watch her show, read her magazine and listen.  She’s smart. I’d love to be one of those “all kinds of people” to work with Oprah, because much of the information she puts out in her magazine, radio and online I know these are things I KNOW!

Several years ago I lived a life that was very financially secure. I worked part-time from home supporting my then husband’s job, coordinating sales meetings for the company he worked with, scheduling his radio show guests, we also had a small online business that I administrated, I had 1 employee that worked with me in my house, so I was free to be available for the kids, travel extensively, errands, etc. We made well above average income back then. Life was very good to us. Then, things changed! (before this current economic turn). So, I had to dramatically change how I managed money. While it took some getting used to, I had been here before. Just didn’t think I’d be visiting “small-budget-ville” again. But that’s where I found myself. Before I share “Oprah’s” tips take a look at mine.

Much of my list consists of turning trash into treasures to keep your money in your own pocket.

Here’s my “starter” list of ways to cut back:

1. Shop at home first
   • do you really need more ketchup, or is there another bottle in the back the cupboard already?
   • make a challenge to yourself to create at least 3 meals each week from what you already have in your fridge and cupboards with out having to go to the market.
2. Clean out your bathroom cupboards (sister to #1)
   • take out all the half-used & hotel bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotions & potions and use them. If you think the shampoo was not “good” for your hair, use it as soap or to shave with. If you’re like me, I bet you have enough lotion to make smooth a herd of alligators.
   • same concept goes for bathroom cleaners – collect them in one spot from all bathrooms if you have more then one – and use what you have.
3. Clean out your garage, storage shed or closet (brother to #1!).
   • just by re-organizing my (already much organized) garage I found lightbulbs, tape, trash bags and many other items I’d simply forgotten we there. Good, useful stuff… that costs money to buy.
   • don’t get me started on the number of bottles of sunscreen I found in my garage! (yes, this one is important to make sure it’s not too old.) Now, reorganized in a basket (I found unused) sitting out, next to the beach towels…  so everyone can see – WE ALREADY HAVE SUNSCREEN.
4. Make a shopping list
   • I call this my “Go Navy Strategy”.  Make the Plan, Fly the Plan.
   • Stay true to your list.  If you didn’t know you needed it before you went to the store, you don’t need it.
   • Once you can really stay to you list and don’t  jump at every “good deal” you see, then you can give yourself a little latitude to make on-the-spot decisions if something is truly a good deal and it is something you do use regularly and need.
5. Sensor your shopping cart
   • This will help you to “Fly the Plan” (stay true to your shopping list).
   • Before you get in line to check out, look in your cart.
     • are the items you see what you intended to purchase when you went into the store?
     • are the items things you really do need, not just want?
     • if you can live without, put it back.

I’ll address other ways to help you cut back next time when I blog about “what you really need” (DVR service is not one of them!)

Here’s Oprah’s 6 Common Shopping Traps.