The Money Book, How To Save Money Every Day, Half-Price Living - hundreds of books have been written about how to save. These books say to make a budget, set goals and have money automatically withdrawn from your paycheck. What it comes down to is that saving is like dieting. Spend less and exercise more - good judgment.
I exercise good judgment by shopping at Costco. Costco is the biggest membership warehouse club in the world and the fourth biggest general retailer in the U.S. - but there's a problem. I'm not spending less at Costco. Although I spend less for a giant box of laundry detergent and a box of eight cans of tomato paste and a package of twelve rolls of paper towels, I don't stop there. I spend less for flowers and books and clothes and more. Because I buy more than I need, I'm not saving money. The "co" in Costco must stand for customers overbuying.
Twenty cents off dish detergent, forty cents off a dozen eggs if I buy a pound of bacon, sixty cents off three cans of soup - I used to go through the Sunday paper cutting out coupons; but not anymore. In spite of supermarket coupons, things are cheaper at Costco. I thought coupons were part of the past - along with S&H Green Stamps and free glasses when I bought gas. Then I got a book of Costco coupons in the mail. These coupons have perforated borders. No more cutting - except corners.
Every year I keep track of how much money I save with coupons, discounts and sales. At the end of the year the money is mine to spend on something for the house. One year I spent it on a fountain. Another year I spent it on an antique lamp. I think of this as saving for a reigny day because when it comes to deciding what to buy, I rule.
KNIGHT PIERCE HIRST takes humorous looks at life. Take a minute to make yourself smile at http://knightwatch.typepad.com
Tags: humor, women, men, finance, culture and society, savings