There are ways to find genuine bargains, but there are some evil looking solutions out there too.

For example, Comet has a website where they sell off returns. It’s a good idea to check what is available there although it is not the cheapest option, but the site has additional drawbacks.

The delivery charges are particularly painful, but the website is not really well known so you can get some bargains, although it is obvious that the auction format is not entirely “free” but rigged to favour comet.

Check http://www.clearance-comet.co.uk/ to see if you can find the bargains.

(Personally, I never bother because the site is low on traffic, but if you start bidding, the system magically seem to find competing bidders…)

Even more so with the constantly rising gas prices, ever increasing food prices and general mayhem in the economy.

But are there ways to save money?

Ideally without becoming a complete hermit.

Check out these ideas to save money easily:

1. Reduce your credit card usage

You’ve probably read that you should quit using credit cards altogether. But let’s get real here, cutting down on using credit cards will likely be OK. Gradually, you should be looking to cut your credit card debt, if possible to zero. Find out the highest rate you’re paying and start with that card. And if you’re offered the chance to swap some of your balance to a zero interest card to help you do this, go for it.

2. Economize on your purchases

Most grocery stores have an own label that are often all but indistinguishable from the brand leaders except for the label. Give them a try next time you shop. Don’t rule out the really low cost “value” lines either – some of them are pretty close to the regular lines. Other lines (like watery tuna) are not, so be careful the first time you buy these in case they’re a waste of cash.

3. Shop less often

If you use things regularly then bulk buy when it’s on offer. Boring stuff like toilet rolls, canned foods, etc. And if you have to make a shopping trip, make sure you’ve eaten first. It sounds daft, but you won’t make as many impulse buys this way.

4. Stop impulse buying

Ouch. These are getting harder to do! If you’re prone to impulse buying, leave your credit cards at home and tell your shopping friends they aren’t allowed to subsidize you “until you get the cash out”. If that seems like a complete impossibility, take a break from shopping completely – go cold turkey if need be, but quit shopping for a while, no matter.

5. Get help

Talk with friends – they have likely seen a pattern develop where you go into auto-pilot and just buy things. Maybe you comfort shop. Whatever, find out and work on it.

You can also use an inexpensive hypnosis track to help change yourself to save money. Download it now and listen to it as soon as possible. Get your save money hypnosis track here.