Everyone pinches pennies, it's just that some people are "tighter" than others. If you are new to penny pinching, here are a few basics that every seasoned tightwad will agree are "no-brainers" when trying to save money:

NEVER pay full-price - If it was EVER on sale, then the person selling it is obviously willing (and able) to sell it for that price again - eventually.

Don’t be shy - ALWAYS ask for a discount. All they can do is say no, and 90 percent of the time (in my experience) they will come off their asking price. Every penny counts!

Get store discount cards - Sometimes the cashier will swipe their card for you, but more and more stores are getting strict on this. If you forget yours, or don't have one, ask the person in front or behind you in line if they have one. You would be surprised at how much comes off your bill when they swipe that card!

Eat in! - I can't imagine how some people can afford to eat out all the time. I mean, some people eat out for every meal. For the amount it cost me to take my 5 year old to KFC and have the buffet, I could have fed my family of four 3 meals!

Re-Use - Save your cottage cheese, sour cream, yogurt, etc. containers. They make great FREE leftover containers.

Stock up on bag clips! - Next time you are at the dollar store (or some grocery stores now have dollar aisles), pick up a package of clothespins. I can usually get a pack of 100 for a buck. Now, you can keep your cereal, potato chips, crackers, or any other bagged food fresher longer. Also, if you have a pantry with the vented (wire) shelving, you can just clip them to the bottom of the shelf when you are not using them.

Waste not, want not - Don't throw that chocolate syrup bottle away! Pour some milk in and shake it up, viola! One more glass of chocolate milk!

Freeze your leftovers - Whenever I make a big pot of anything like Chili, Spaghetti sauce or soup, I freeze the leftovers and just thaw them out a couple weeks later. Instant meal!

Uses for plastic grocery bags - When I have gooey stuff to throw in the trash (like when I am cleaning out the fridge), I find one with no holes and throw the food in it first and tie it in a knot. Sometimes I even double them up. This comes in handy if the big bag gets a hole in it! You won't have food leaking all over the inside of your kitchen trash can. I also use them for packing fragile items, and they make great wastebasket liners!

For the birds! - Take your stale bread, chips, crackers, cereal, etc. and give the birds a feast they won't soon forget! Kids love to do this chore!

Save on Water - Only run your dishwasher and washing machine with FULL loads!

Waste not, Want not - Have leftover baked potatoes? Slice them up and fry them in a pan! Leftover Mashed potatoes? Add cracker crumbs, eggs and chopped onion, fry them to make 'tater cakes! Yummy

Marry your condiments - Don't waste it, just turn the bottle upside-down on top of the new bottle. Restaurants do this with all of their condiments and have been since the beginning of time.

Recycle - Save your aluminum cans, the price for scrap aluminum is almost 1.00 a lb.!