1)Cut out all extravagant spending....dinners out, electronic and entertainment purchases and opt instead to rent a few movies here and there, and go to dollar saver cinemas instead of AMC or Showcase.
Also usually at the dollar savers they let you smuggle in snacks as well!

2)Make sure you buy everything on sale but buy only what you absolutely need on sale, nothing more. I know that 2 lb bag of shrimp is on sale...but do you really need it? Instead stock up on peanut butter, cheese, bread and frozen veggies and meat whenever there is a sale. The same with toilet paper , cleaning supplies, and baby commodities like diapers.

3)Instead of using your local grocery store coupons, look for ads for other mass retailers like WalMart, Target, Meijers or Cubs. It helps to know which store has the lowest price for the item you want, because if you were buying SoftSoap pump at your grocery store and the retail price was 2.29..and you had a dollar off coupon, that would make the purchase 1.29. Well if Walmart sold the same soap pump for 99 cents then you would be saving 30 cents on each pump you bought if you went to Wal Mart instead of your local grocer.

4)Try dollar stores like Dollar General and Dollar Tree for small gifts for your kids and family. Personally I have found everything from books to mouthwash at dollar stores and I have saved hundreds each month. Especially if you have kids who love to play rough with toys I find that only spending 1 dollar on it makes me less stressed when they have broken THAT toy!

5)Instead of buying books or buying DVD's, CD's, or VHS tapes..use the local library. Most libraries let you keep the DVD's for a few days, and books for several weeks. And a library card is absolutely free.!

6)If heating costs are bothering you this winter, then here are a few tips. Run all your wash in cold water, and reduce the drying time on your dryer by half. Also set your thermostat to about 67 or 68 in the dead of winter...your heating bills will be lower if its set at a constant temp. Also if you have electric heat like I do...make sure you turn of all appliances such as computer and lights and opt for small night lights for you and the kids to help see your way to the bathroom at night!

7)If gasoline is going to be too high of a cost for you ..CAR POOL! I know this sounds cliche, but it works.....!Also plan your day so you are not running uptown, downtown and then back again..strategize your to do list..at almost 4.00 a gallon for gas...I DEFINITELY DO THIS!

8)Send for Free Samples on the Internet. Ok being realistic...you aren't going to get hundreds of samples...even if you signed up for 100 samples..however I got some neat little things that tided me over till payday...and with samples you do not pay shipping costs..it is 100% free.

9)Recycle..no I don't mean save everything, just the things you can reuse ...like margarine or butter plastic containers. These make nifty storage containers ..from anything to hair-bows to 3" screws (I used to have a lot in my garage ), also they make great leftover containers and you don't have to repay for them, they are free the second time around!

10)Make sure you have a checking and savings account that is paying you interest. I mean WHY pay the banks for letting them use your money. They should pay YOU! My checking was free, I got 200 checks free and I have a savings account that pays me interest every month.

There you have it..MY TOP TEN!

Learn more about this author, Anna Lakewood.
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