Perhaps it’s my Scottish ancestry. Or, perhaps it’s because I’m a true Down East Yankee. Whatever the reason, I’m all for saving money, especially when it comes to repetitive things – like food!.

Keeping enough food on hand is of prime importance and nothing grates me more than paying dearly for something which, in days gone by, was preserved and waiting on cool cellar shelves. Consequently, I am known for taking my scissors and the newspaper and some women’s magazines, making a cup of tea and spending a relaxing half-hour cutting out coupons.

Some grocery stores will double coupons and if you’re really organized with your shopping, you’ll watch for the special sales and use the coupons then, saving even more. For example, one of my favorite packaged rice mixes is on sale at two for $1. I have a coupon for 50 cents off when two boxes are purchased. Not much savings, but added up with a few others it helps buy the ice cream or special treat.

One of my favorite Web sites is www.seniorjournal.com. This site is a wealth of information about the latest senior citizen news. A recent article about various coupon sites warns that in many of these, a person is required to register, i.e., sign up. This can sometimes result in your e-mail inbox being filled with junk mail or spam, so be careful and aware of where your personal information goes.

If you just type in “senior discounts” or some words like that, and use Google, you will find hundreds of places to investigate. You might want to qualify your search by using another word added after the word discount, for example, food or electronics. Whatever your method, with a little diligence, you can really save some money.

In the local area, if you’re planning on dining out, always make a call first and ask if they offer senior discounts. You’ll find most places have a specified day or time during which senior citizens can enjoy meals at great savings.

Around the age of 50-55, some people will see their car insurance rate decrease. Many auto insurance companies provide a discount to older drivers. Be sure to ask your agent about this aspect of their coverage and service.

Don’t always fall for the “name brand is better” trap. The best example of this is generic prescription drugs. If I paid for name brands, my monthly drug cost would top $300. As it is, it’s less than $20, for the same high quality FDA-approved medication.

I used to think that buying a name brand ensured the best quality. Many years ago I worked for a company that manufactured canvas sneakers. Customers included about a dozen well-known (at the time) shoe companies. Much to my surprise, each company ordered the basic shoe from us, and had its own “blister pack” attached – so the same shoe was purchased at Sears, Thom McCann and many other stores. Final retail prices depended on the name on the shoe, not the shoe itself. In those days, PF Fliers was considered choice, and the most expensive, but the same shoe could be purchased for a quarter the cost at Sears – just with a different name.

And don’t forget discount stores, like the Salvation Army and Goodwill. Last week, one of my sisters found brand new winter robes, with name-brand tags and prices still attached, for only $2.

Bottom line is that it pays to shop around, use discount coupons, research big purchases and be curious. Ask about senior discounts. After all, we’re one of the largest market groups. Everyone wants our business.