The earlier editions of The Tightwad Gazette are available from Amazon at low prices plus shipping. I used to use it all the time when we first went to one income--I should have never stopped when things eased up for us!
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/102-5399244-8027321?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=tightwad+gazette
One of the things I did get from the book and just pulled back out is a price book. In it I listed best prices for items I typically used so there would be no question about what price to stock up on. It takes awhile to set up but well worth the savings. My memory isn't what it used to be so I think this will be a help to get going. It was interesting to pull it out from using it 10 years ago to see how some prices had risen dramatically but others not so much.
The stores are all fairly close or on my regular routes for errands and appointments so I'm able to stop in often and make the most of sales. Meat prices have gone so high that stores are running great sales in order to bring people in so I'm constantly watching for the buy one/get one free or overstock deals. Being friendly with the butcher at one store helps also so when I bump into her I ask what's the best deal out there or what she's got on her menu tonight and she's helpful.
Surprisingly Kroger has been the best overall because they include markdowns in meats and produce instead of pitching it. I picked up an apple and grape tray with caramel dip at half price which brought it down to what I likely would have paid for the fruit.
I have a book I bought years ago called Clean and Green which has natural cleaning, laundry, etc. tips. For an everyday cleaning spray I like 2 cups hot water with 2 tsp Murphy's Oil Soap, 1 tsp borax and 1/4 tsp washing soda. For bathroom clean up I use a spray bottle with a little bleach. I still buy Ajax for the kitchen sink.
Sometimes coupons can make an eat-out or carry-in meal cheaper than making it from scratch, especially if it requires a wide variety of ingredients.
Where I need to personally do better is at not wasting food. Just yesterday I had to throw out some meat from the fridge that I didn't get to the freezer in time, thinking I'd get it cooked up. I'm getting a new fridge when the tax rebate comes to replace this energy drain/heat pumping 30+ year old one.
Naturally the cat is still getting premium food from Petco. He starts vomitting and dia. every time I try and switch foods. I've decided sticking with it is cheaper than vet bills and wasted bags and cans of foods.
I need to find a cheaper alternative to the shampoo we've been using from the salon. It works great but since the recent price increases even the salon employees cringe when they ring me up. difficult child has super thick hard to manage hair and this brand (Mastey) was the first thing I found that really worked for him. I'm particular about odors and my easy child teen has serious scalp (dandruff) issues.