1. Avoid Video Rentals - Check your local libraries to see if they carry movies. I bet they do. I have not paid for a movie rental in 4 years and still get the latest and greatest. My library gets the movies the same day as the stores, granted in a few less numbers. Anything that is not a new release I can go online and put on hold for the next time it comes in. And the real kicker... With the library loan systems I can get any movie from any library in the state. Talk about selection...

2. Shop Smart - I shop at Costco and a regional chain Meijer all the time. Know the prices and what is a good deal. Sure 40 gallons of mayo is cheap, but home much can you use. Just because it is bulk, does not mean it is cheaper. I keep a running list and know when the sales are actually good deals. If you go into a store for the grea deals on sales leave with JUST THOSE ITEMS... The other stuff is where they make their money.

3. Avoid being on the Bleeding Edge - I am a geek and love toys, but I avoid them until they have been on the market for a while. Sure that first iPod, iPhone or Blue Ray player is cool, but what happens in 2 months when the next big thing comes out. It took a couple years for DVD Players to go from HUNDREDS to almost give aways. I have an iPod I bought refurbished from Apple long after it came out and I paid about 1/2 the price. It still works great and does not matter to me that it is a few months older... After two years whats a few months.

Just a few...

More to come I have tons of them...

Great Tips. I have a few things to add as well.

1. If you do need to have movies look into online rental places. They not only save money on gas to the store but you save money on rentals as well. You can get 1 at a time and unlimited online viewing from Netflix for only 8.95 a month. For my local store that's only two rentals. Netflix is pretty good about turn around time so at 1 at a time you could get about 10-12 movies a month if you were religious about getting them back in the mail the next day you get them (of course watching it before you sent it back). They have the option for BluRay as well for those have have the BRD Player.

2. Smart shopping is important. Buy off brand when possible, you'll learn quick what to buy brand and what you don't have to. Most stores now have per *whatever* pricing (box, ounce, lbs) which makes it really nice for comparison between brands or sizes.

3. I have the same problem about wanting to be on the bleeding edge or get the newest thing right when it comes out. When this happens I remind myself of the nice things I have and I try to think of something that I own that I have not used in a while and revisit it (xbox, old computer game) something that will keep me satisfied with what I have. I read a great tip one time about writing that item down and looking at it three months later. If you still feel you need it go out and buy it, if not ...throw that paper out.

Great tips. Keep them coming.

The last question I ask myself before heading to a cash register: "Do I really need this?"

The answer is usually "no."

Bam. Money saved.