I already do the:

-coupons only for stuff I use, and shop on sale
-stock up when things are priced low
-walk the kids to school and back most days
-Freecycle and Thrift Store (ours is also a consignment store to which I take the old stuff once a week)
-Loved the Tightwad Gazette and have all the books, using tips there.
-I cancelled all but one magazine subscription and now read content online
-I read once that most recipes from those famous TV chefs are online anyway, so I not only stopped buying the books, I sold them.

-I make a whole loaf of bread into PBJs and freeze individually for the kids’ school lunches. This keeps the bread from going bad and works as a “meal plan”.
-I try to meal plan and coordinate with the coupons, sales flyers, and what the family wants to eat.
-I bought my toddler cloth training pants because he’d go through a good $15+ a week in the disposables. (I’m also trying to potty train him a year earlier than my other two.)
-For books I really want that aren’t at the library I use Paperbackswap.com . You can trade books for about $2.50US.

-I’m trying to get the kids into making gifts rather than buying them.

Love the tips about the swiffer wet. I quit using it because my Wiener dog is epileptic and I was afraid the chemicals would set him off.

I have lots of old towels and flannel sheets that are falling apart. Here I was saving them to make a quilt. Now I’ll just use the towels to clean the floor! Saves on the $10 mop too!

- Cancel your TV and download shows on the net, or at slice.ca or other networks online. If you don’t cancel completely, bargain with the company for a deal
- Cancel your landline if you have a cell phone
- Seek out coupons & sales and comparison shop before buying anything, including groceries
- Mend and repair your shoes and clothes; worn down heels can be replaced, etc.
- Regularly launder and iron your clothing. If you have a full closet you will feel less inclinded to buy new clothes (at least that works for me)!
- Display your jewellry and handbags where you can easily see them and actually wear them (for the same purpose above)
- Take good care of your clothing and follow the washing instructions
- Don’t assume quality correlates with price when buying clothes – check the fabric, seams and look to see where the product is from.
- Shop at expensive stores during lucrative sales (mostly end of season sales)
- Take a travel mug of coffee to work. If you must buy pop, buy a case on sale and take one each day to work.
- Check the CRA guidelines to see what you can deduct off your taxes
- Make your own crafts, find fun, free activities in the city to do (opportunities are endless)
- Quit the gym and buy a pair of running shoes
- If you want to run with a group, go to The Running Room – free group runs on Wed. evenings and Sunday mornings (plus free technical expertise!)
- Make your own sports drinks, protein bars, and even gels
- Rent movies from itunes ($4 and no late fees!)
- Make your own “fast food” at home, like pizzas, tacos, and snack food like salsa, hummus, etc.
- Make gifts for friends for birthday, xmas, etc. You can also make gifts in lieu of cash gifts for charity (like knitted blankets or booties, etc).
- Reuse everything! Make the things you own become mult-purpose
- Avoid buying excess kitchen equipment – the basics are all you need – and you can find them in China Town for MUCH cheaper than homeware stores! (Let me know if you want suggestions)
- Use cloths instead of paper towels and napkins.
- Recylce your beer & wine bottles at The Beer Store
- Find inexpensive (but good tasting wine) through recommendations online
- Swap clothes, jewellry, books and movies with friends (temporary or permanent exchanges)
- Make cheap but healthy meals using lentils, beans, seasonal veggies, and tofu

The list is endless! (And I have more suggestions at my blog, saverqueen.com)

Thanks for a LOT of information!

I think people want to stay ignorant about money. They teach you how to get a degree to get a job to earn money, but they don’t teach you how to handle the money you earn.

Dave Drew
Your Money Saving Coach
http://www.yourmoneysavingcoach.com

One coworker gave me a link for a fantastic website: http://www.soscuisine.com this website gives you all the specials in flyers for your province and town and selects menus according to those specials and seasonal foods.

Also, if you have the chance, buying directly from the farm in a group is econimical. my husband is lucky enough to work delivery in rural areas sometimes and we get apples and corn (even meat like goat and really good beef) for a lower price than at the store.

If you buy large quantities and devide it with your friends and family you can really save a lot. one study done at the university of montreal showed that the student buying group was saving 30% on the price of veggies by buying bulk from local producers. SAVE MONEY, SUPPORT LOCAL AGRICULTURE!!!!!