Here are some general hints and tips you can use in your own home to save money. Remember it is all the little things you do that add up to big savings. There are only so many ways that you can save a large sum of money fast.

- Cut out non essentials from your grocery list. For example, do you have to have soda? At least try a cheaper brand and remember that change takes time to get used to. Check the store brands at your grocery store. They are almost always cheaper and usually taste as good or better than the name brand.

- Turn off all lights when you leave the room. Unplug all gadgets and appliances where possible when not in use. Plug your computer and its accessories into a power strip. When not in use just flip the switch to off. Even when your *stuff* is off it is still drawing power, adding money to your power and light bill. Unplug your coffee pot if you don’t need to set it on a timer. I do this and use the clock on my microwave because I cannot unplug it. After your cell phone is charged, unplug the charger. Unplug lamps when not in use. You can also plug your t.v., vcr, dvd player into a power strip and just shut off the power strip when not in use.

- Use recycled or cloth shopping bags. This not only keeps plastic bags out of the landfill and reduces pollution but several stores now give you a discount, say 5 cents per bag, on your grocery bill for bringing your own bags. Two of my local grocery stores do this. If you frequently forget your bags at home when you go shopping, simply put them back in the car after you unload your purchases. I keep mine in my trunk. Call your local grocery stores to see if any of them have this discount.

- When I moved into my apartment I had to start from scratch. I had NOTHING. I was lucky in that my best friend and family were very generous and gave me all of their unwanted items, which furnished my apartment until I was able to buy improvements or replacements and the items that I wanted but had to do without until I could afford them. The point is put the word out when you have a need. You might be surprised to find someone you know has that item and is willing to give it to you or sell it very cheaply.

- Go through all your possessions and have a rummage sale to get rid of your clutter and make some extra cash. Most american households are cluttered with stuff that  we don’t use. A good rule to follow: if you haven’t used it in 6 months or more, get rid of it, unless you have a strong emotional attachment.

We all know that paring down expenses is usually not much fun. It is up to you to keep a positive attitude and try to make it fun. See how far you can stretch your dollar. Find new places you can buy the items you need to have at a cheaper price.

If you are new to this frugality business, explore stores you have never been in before. The “dollar stores” that are all over the country actually have a lot of very good, useful products you can use right in your own home. In my area we have Family Dollar, Dollar General and Dollar Tree stores. I frequent these stores on a regular basis. Remember to compare prices at all the stores you shop in, never assume one store has the best price.

Rent movies and video games instead of buying them.

Use your local library! Most libraries rent not just books but movies and cd’s if not for free, then extremely cheaply. One library not far away from me rents them for 25 cents each and you keep them for 7 days. Libraries have a much larger selection now compared to a few years ago.

Shop at rummage sales. I find this great fun. You never know what you will find. Remember: buy something because you need it, not because you want it.

When my family has get togethers, we make them pot luck. We all bring a dish to pass and the person who is hosting provides the main dish. You get a much larger variety of food, one person does not have to do all the work and everyone saves money.

Combine all your errands into one trip and make a route that enables you to go everywhere you need to without wasting gas by going back and forth across town. This will save you gas money, wear and tear on your car, reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the air causing pollution and will save you time. Who couldn’t use a little more time and money?

It’s worth it to buy the more expensive energy efficient light bulbs. If money is short buy one or two every couple of weeks, or one or two a month and start replacing the lightbulbs that you use most frequently. These will save up to 30% on your power and light bill. I have made the switch and the energy efficient bulbs cast light just like the old ones.

Look for free or cheap entertainment. One thing we do in my household is rent movies from the library, pop some popcorn ( I do it the “old fashioned” way on the stove. Pour enough oil in bottom of pan just to cover, power in a cup of popcorn-the kind sold by the bag, not microwave. Cover with a lid and turn the heat up to medium/high. Listen for the pops to slow down to a few seconds between each pop and turn burner off. You don’t want to burn the popcorn. Salt to taste. I put a couple of tablespoons of butter right in with the oil for a buttery flavor), and hang out with the family. We play cards and board games. Go to the park and play games with the kids. Go for a walk in nature. There are tons of nature trails or even some parks have hiking trails. Check out your local newspaper for upcoming events.

Message me with your tips and hints on how you save money in the comments section on the front page!

Everyone wants to save money these days, however many people do not know where to start. Here are some tips to get you started on  your own frugal path.

1. Write down EVERY expense, even that pack of gun at the gas station. Do this for a 2 to 4 week period, then look at all your expenses and evaluate where you are spending your money. Be honest, nobody will see this except you.  When I began doing this I bought a small notebook and kept it in my purse. You will be able to see all the little ways your money is leaking out of your wallet and where you need to “tweak” your spending.

2. Either on paper or on your computer make a list of all your expenses. It is helpful to make two categories: one for bills/expenses you have to pay each month and the ones you do not. Write down everything. If you smoke, write down what you spend each month for cigarettes. Be sure to list everything so there are no surprise expenditures that will ruin your spending plan you will make later. Next you need to calculate your monthly income from all sources. This could include child support or any sporadic payments. Add them up and get your total montly income. I used the amount after taxes, simply because then I knew how much I had in my pocket to spend. Subtract your expenses from your income and this amount is what you have to spend each month.

3. If you have any bad debt, i.e. anything other than a mortgage/rent, insurance; make a list of these debts. This will enable you to know exactly how far in debt you are. This step can be emotionally painful, but be honest. Sugar coating reality only brings on more debt.

4. The money you have left after you pay your expenses needs to be put to good use. Allocate some for savings and some to pay off your debt ( if you have any. If you don’t - CONGRATULATIONS! - you are one of the lucky few these days).

5. In order to live we need shelter, food, power, water, clothing. Our kids needs clothing and food, they have medical and school expenses. We need money for transportation, whether it be our own vehicle or public transportation, to get to work or wherever it is you go. Now is the time to look at all your expenses with a painfully truthful eye. You need to pair down your spending to create more savings so you can pay off debt, store money away for the future; whatever is it that is important for you and your family. Look at your spending habits and decide what you absolutely have to have and what you can live without. Remember, it will take some sacrifice on your part. Do you need those trips to the local coffee house or can you make a pot at home yourself? Do you really need to eat out or can you cook at home for a cheaper, healthier meal? If you already have a closet or dresser full of clothes, odds are you don’t need anymore. Do you need to have every cable channel available or could you shave some services off your cable bill to save money?