Saving Money: choice or necessity?

For most these days, saving money is a necessity. For us, it has become a lifestyle! Long gone are the days when we had extra cash to freely spend on whatever tickled our fancy, but even then, I tried to find the best price. Now clipping coupons and matching sales is a weekly event, one I could not do without some of my favorite money saving sites. Most of these sites have price match-ups, drug store deals, links to free samples, and the best current deals and sales. Here are the sites I check regularly:

Hip 2 Save
Mama Cheaps
Frugal Coupon Living

Group buying sites are also growing by the day, offering daily deals on everything from dining to spa services to golf! They often have half price savings and some up to 80% off, so you can get some great deals, just be sure to read all the restrictions and fine print. Here are some of my favorites for the DC area (also NoVa and Richmond since we're in between):

Groupon
LivingSocial
BuyWithMe
PlumDistrict
And Deals for Deeds which lets you choose from 3 charitable organizations to which 5% of your purchase will go.

In addition to online deal scouring, I also frequent my local Goodwill stores. Admittedly, most of the good stuff I find is for the girls since kids grow out of clothes so quickly, but I have also happened across a few good items for myself or my husband or the house. Some of our best finds:

• This Step 2 play kitchen in perfect shape, which was an upgraded version of the one we already had. For SEVEN DOLLARS! So what did we do? We upgraded!
• A like-new Columbia coat for $9
• A pair of Pottery Barn shelves for $5 each
• A super cute J.Crew dress for $6 that sadly did not fit me, so I sold it on ebay for $30
• and tons of Gymboree clothes for the girls, books and home school curriculum

So now you know all my secrets when it comes to getting stuff on the cheap. Okay, maybe not ALL, but I have to save something for next time. Like yard sales and Craigslist!