Las Vegas, like other cities and towns across America, has been affected by the current economic crisis. Prices are up for gas, food, housing and more. As a result, people here have to do a lot of belt-tightening.
There are ways, however, that you can help minimize the financial crunch for you and your household, without having to live like you’re in a monastery..
Do your grocery shopping where you get the biggest savings.
Las Vegas is home to a wealth of grocery store chains, such as Albertsons, Vons, Smiths,Food 4 Less and Lucky’s, as well as a large number of smaller ethnically-based stores, like King Ranch. While some stores tend to price items higher than others, you can still find bargains in all of them, if you check the weekly flyers they send out.
On a personal level, my husband and I have found that we get the most savings at Food 4Less. While it doesn’t have the kind of fancy gourmet foods some of its competitors have, the prices are very reasonable and you can buy a lot of food for lower prices. I highly recommend clipping coupons and taking them along with you to the grocery store, for even more savings.
Another wonderful place to consider shopping for groceries is the 99 Cents Only store. Exactly as its name implies, everything there costs 99 cents. You can find canned goods, dairy products, frozen foods, snack foods, bread, dairy products, drinks, spices, bottled water, pasta and other items you would normally find in your regular grocery food store. Some are name brand products that were overstocked and others are not name brands, but are just as good. They even offer fresh produce now.
You can also find toiletries, housewares, cleaning products, health products and the like.. There are several 99 Cents Only locations throughout the city of Las Vegas.
Shopping at this store for the majority of your groceries can tremendously slash the amount you spend in a month.
Have Family-Friendly Fun at Low or No Cost
Going out to the movies can be a costly occasion in the present economy. The price of entertainment for a family has jumped and you may have decided to cut out enjoyable activities, in order to save money.
The good news is that you and your family can still participate in pleasurable pastimes, at low cost or for free.
Check around at the local community centers, the Clark County Parks and Recreations Department and libraries to find out what events they will be holding now and in the near future. Most have activities that cost you nothing and you can bring your family out for free outdoor concerts, free family-friendly movies and more. You may also be able to sign your kids up for crafts workshops and special holiday activities. .If any cost is involved, it’s usually very small and nowhere close to the exorbitant amount you’d be spending, otherwise.
Have a Yard Sale
Even though we tend to attach sentimentality to many of the things we have scattered about our homes, the truth is that much of it is just really “junk” we’ve been stubbornly holding on to.
Why not gather it up and make some money that you can put towards your daily living expenses? You, your spouse and kids need to go though every room of the house, including the garage. Find old, but decent clothes you don’t wear anymore, old books, CD’s, tapes, furniture, lamps, baby items, paintings, unwanted gifts and other assorted knick-knacks and organize them for a big yard sale.
A lot of people are shopping at yard sales now, due to the current economy, so getting folks to buy your stuff should be no problem. Make flyers and post them where potential buyers can see them. Make sure you set out the price you want for each item, although you’ll probably end up lowering the price.
At any rate, this is a good way to get your house cleaner and make extra money at the same time.
Exercise for Free
Television commercials have convinced us that we have to belong to a health club, in order to get into shape. While health clubs can be beneficial, they are often an unnecessary expense.
Check out a community center near you. Many have exercise programs that are totally free or that cost a very small fee. They can be just as effective as an overpriced health club.
You can also walk for free in places like the mall or a park and exercise along with television fitness programs.
Canceling your health club membership can save you money
Just Use Common Sense
A frugal lifestyle isn’t difficult to achieve, if you just use a little common sense.
Sit down and map out a household budget and then decide what things you really need to spend money on. Stick to it as much as you can, but always leave room for an occasional “special treat.”
Just because you live in Las Vegas doesn’t mean you have to spend a mint for the privilege of doing so.
