If you are trying to find a good deal, you need the ability to know when it is a good one and not just an advertising pitch. I’ve made price watching a hobby, so many times when I see an ad I will automatically know if it is truly a good deal or not. This is definitely a skill I’ve perfected by continual practice but it can still be difficult to recall from memory the best price when tracking multiple items. I’ve found an easy way to help trigger my memory when it comes to product prices - I keep a price worksheet and I track prices by item and store.

Originally, I started this to track grocery store items but I’ve since expanded it to include household items and other products that we regularly purchase. This master list shows me at a glance the normal price for a particular item so when it goes on sale I can quickly tell if it is a good deal or a dud. I’ve also begun adding items to my worksheet that we are considering purchasing. This forces me to comparison shop when I purchase an item and also gives me time to curb impulse spending.

My pricing worksheet is set up on a spreadsheet so it is easy to update. The important thing to note about a price comparison worksheet is that you have to keep it updated regularly. If you don’t want to keep a spreadsheet then a simple notebook works just as well. Here are some steps to consider when keeping a price comparison worksheet or notebook:

1. List item name, brand, and size. A price comparison won’t work if you are not comparing the identical item store to store. This will also help you to calculate the unit cost per item.

2. Update the list frequently. If the last time you purchased a certain product was a year ago, chances are the prices have changed. Make it a habit to frequently check prices and keep them current.

3. List price by store. You’ll need to compile information from at least 2 different stores but it really helps to have 4 or 5 to make a good comparison and see trends. I usually list the local discount stores like Target, Wal-Mart, Costco, Publix, Sam’s, etc.

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Blogging Away Debt hosts the 75th Festival of Frugality today. As always, the festival is full of frugal living tips. Here are my favorites:

ProBargainHunter has a wonderful article which clearly illustrates the importance of shopping around before you buy. He deals with the purchase of tires but the method works for anything you plan on purchasing.

Free Money Finance shares some ideas on the most cost effective ways to stay in shape.

Blunt Money provides some examples of frugal choices versus cheap actions in an easy to read chart!

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In conjunction with my post the other day about getting our supplies together for hurricane preparations, I just read in my local paper that Florida is having a sales tax holiday from June 1, 2007 through June 12, 2007.

Florida law provides that no sales tax or discretionary sales surtax (also known as a local option sales tax) will be collected on the sale or purchase of certain items* related to hurricane preparedness for the period beginning 12:01 a.m., Friday, June 1, 2007, and ending at midnight, Tuesday, June 12, 2007.

Here is a list of items that are identified as eligible from the Florida Department of Revenue:

Qualifying items selling for $10 or less:
Reusable ice or items sold as artificial ice

Qualifying items selling for $20 or less:
Any portable self-powered light source
Battery-powered flashlights
Battery-powered lanterns
Gas-powered lanterns (including propane, kerosene, lamp oil, or similar fuel)
Tiki type torches
Candles

Qualifying items selling for $25 or less:
Any gas or diesel fuel container (including LP gas and kerosene containers)

Qualifying items selling for $30 or less:
Batteries, including rechargeable (listed sizes only)
AAA-cell
AA-cell
C-cell
D-cell
6-volt (excluding automobile and boat batteries)
9-volt (excluding automobile and boat batteries)
Coolers (food-storage; non-electrical)
Ice chests (food-storage; non-electrical)

Qualifying items selling for $40 or less:
Any cell phone charger

Qualifying items selling for $50 or less:
Tarpaulins (tarps)
Visqueen, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible waterproof sheeting
Ground anchor systems or kits
Tie-down kits (items that are advertised or normally sold as a tie-down kit)
Bungee cords
Ratchet straps

Qualifying items selling for $60 or less:
Any cell phone batteries

Qualifying items selling for $75 or less:
Radios (self-powered or battery-powered)
Two-way radios (self-powered or battery-powered)
Weather band radios (self-powered or battery-powered)
Any carbon monoxide detectors
Any package consisting of two or more of the previously listed qualifying hurricane-preparedness items
Note: Battery-powered or gas-powered light sources and qualifying portable self-powered radios will qualify for the exemption even though they may have electrical cords.

Qualifying items selling for $200 or less:
Storm shutter devices (defined as materials and products specifically manufactured, rated, and marketed for the purpose of preventing window damage from storms)

Qualifying items selling for $1,000 or less:
Portable generators that will be used to provide light, communications, or to preserve perishable food in the event of a power outage

You can see the list is quite comprehensive. Usually stores will have sales in conjunction with this sales tax holiday so you can save even more money. For the full list of items that are eligible (as well as for those things that are not included) you can check it out here.

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