little more basic? Do you really need that expensive cell phone with the extra features, including an extra charge for internet access?

How about dialing down in the winter? Throw an extra blanket on the bed, and sleep with socks on if you get cold. Set the thermostat a few degrees warmer in the summer to keep that air conditioning from kicking on too often.

Take some time and plan your menus for the week, shop sales and use coupons.

Grocery shop with a friend, taking turns driving. Buy in bulk splitting the bounty between you. Thrift stores are great for clothing items you'll probably only wear for one season, like that sweatshirt with the jack-o-lantern on it.

If you carry more than one credit card with a balance on it, transfer the balances to the card with the lowest interest rate. Get rid of department store credit cards-they count on you carrying a balance.

Carpool when ever you can, use restaurant coupons if you go out to dinner. Use prepaid gift cards for things like groceries and gasoline. It will keep you from overspending.

Cut out things like magazine subscriptions (you can read them for free at the library), the health club (walking or jogging is free and can be done almost anywhere). By reducing or eliminating junk food from your diet, your wallet can bulk up while your body slims down.

Don't make the mistake of using a credit card to bail you out if your budget is too tight. That is not helping in the long run, and chances are pretty good those cards are the main reason the budget is so tight in the first place.

Another thing not to do if the budget is too tight: give up. A budget is always in a state of flux. It will need to be reviewed and updated from time to time in order to remain effective.

Remember, a budget is a tool, not an instrument of torture. Use it wisely and soon, you'll wonder how you ever lived without one.

Learn more about this author, Kelly Szymanski.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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