Money Fix: Stretching dollars as a savvy shopper

'You can stretch your dollars" without going into total deprivation mode, hoarding tin foil or buying close-to-expired food, said Clare M. Stenstrom, a certified financial planner with Bourne Stenstrom Lent Asset Management Inc. in Manhattan.

With some awareness and resources, "you can still enjoy life, but for less money," said Stenstrom, speaking at the Financial Fitness Workshop put on by the Financial Planning Association of New York on Oct. 2. For instance:

Shopping: First, know that in grocery stores items on shelves at eye level tend to be pricier, as food companies pay a premium for that visible placement. Second, when it comes to bargains, "a sale is not a saving if you don't need it." And third, "don't shop when you're hungry," for groceries or other goods. "Your brain wants to be satisfied," she said, "and sometimes it thinks it wants shoes," when it really wants a yogurt or power bar.

Trimming costs: Cut down on dry cleaning costs by doing more hand washing and spot cleaning, as well as hanging clothes outside to air. Resist buying new shoes when you have stylish pairs that can be spiffed up and repaired at the cobbler. Before you make a purchase, check out sites such as Coupon.com, Couponmom.com, Retailmenot.com, or just Google the name of the retailer with the words "coupon code." And check BillShrink.com to compare prices of gas, wireless service and CD rates.

Cash back: Assuming you pay monthly credit card bills in full, you can actually make money by using cash-back cards that refund you a small percentage of purchase prices. Compare them at CardRatings.com and Bankrate.com