There are hundreds of ways to save money on the things you buy, but they almost all fall into one of the following two categories.

1. Buying less. This is the most obvious – and for some the most difficult way to reduce their spending. But there are certainly things we can live without and things we can live with less of. Your life may even be improved by the elimination of some things.

2. Paying less. A wise shopper can buy as many things as the next person yet spend only half as much. You can eat all the same variety of fruits and vegetables for example, if you give up choosing when to have what and let the current season and sales prices dictate that for you.