Simple Ways to Pinch Your Pennies

In these trying times, every penny counts. So I'm here to give you my simple steps on how to save money. Let's start at the beginning.

Roll your coins. You'd be surprised at how much change adds up when you empty your pockets and throw it all in a change jar. Most banks will count your money for free if you have an account there. Or you can head on over to any chain grocery store and dump all of your change into a CoinStar change counter. Although you'll lose around a dime per dollar, it saves time. And if you're feeling really flush, they have a list of many charities that you can donate to.

With your rolled coins you can afford to do a little shopping. Many stores offer dollar aisles and travel sections for cheaper buys.

Shop clearance exclusively. Clearance is the great equalizer. We all love it, and wish we could have more of it. If you know where to look you can find anything from clearance diapers to bread-makers! A well kept secret store is Sears Essentials which is known for great clearance. While this is not a discount store, old items are marked down to rock bottom prices, to make room for newer merchandise.

Now that we've covered buying, let's talk about selling. You can make a small fortune on unwanted clothing and accessories.

Consignment shops are a great place to sell unwanted items such as shoes, clothing, books, knick-knacks and other odds and ends. Check the internet and yellow pages for listings. Most stores will sell your items for a third of the original price, and if the items sell, you'll get half of the profit. If the items aren't sold in a certain amount of time, you can have the items back or they'll be donated. It's a win-win situation.

While you're selling your closet away, try not to get too sucked into all of the great deals. They may seem like a can't miss item at the time but you most likely don't need it.

Stop unnecessary spending. Instead of waiting in line at McDonald's, eat a hearty breakfast at home and put that money to good use. Brew your own coffee so you can skip the annual trip to Starbucks before work. You can also save money by not buying paper plates, and just doing your own dishes.