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Money-Saving Tips for Your Household
Before you can save money, you'll want to figure out what you're spending: For one month, keep a diary to determine your family's spending habits. Keep track of everything, including those items for which you use cash (i.e., coffee, the Sunday paper, etc.). Then try setting specific short- and long-term money goals . Without goals, you'll have no reason to save. Follow these suggestions, and you'll be well on your way to developing a strong working budget for your family.
How to Save at the Grocery Store:
 Avoid purchasing things like sodas, candy, junk food, expensive cereals, frozen food dinners, chips, etc., or purchase them only as an occasional treat.
Use unit pricing to compare values.
Prepare a grocery list and stick with it.
Plan your meals a week ahead.
Buy store or generic brands.
Buy in bulk.
Plan a budget for expenditures on lunch and other meals regularly eaten away from home.
Bring your lunch three times a week and save around $700 per year.
Never charge food on your credit card.
Be careful about spending money on take-out dinners. If you eat out frequently, cutting down can really save you a substantial amount of money.

How to Save on Your Power Bill:
 Install weather-stripping on windows and doors. Caulk around cracks, gaps, and small holes in your home's foundation.
Install water flow-reduction devices. Using a low-flow showerhead and sink aerators can save you five to 15 dollars in the first year.
Take a shower instead of a bath.
Turn off all unnecessary lights.
Make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are fully loaded before doing a wash.
Wear a sweater and lower your thermostat. If you're healthy and don't have any circulation problems, set the thermostat no higher than 65 to 68 degrees during the day and 55 degrees during the time when you're asleep or when the house is empty for long periods of time (i.e., when you're at work).

How to Save on Your Phone Bill:
 Cut your phone bill by changing your long-distance provider and discontinuing unnecessary services (caller ID, call waiting, etc.).
Never call during prime time.
Set a timer for 20 minutes before making a long-distance call, and get off the phone when your time's up.

Miscellaneous Ways to Save on Your Monthly Expenses:
 Cut up all credit cards except for one. Then transfer the balance to the card with the lowest interest rate. Make as large a payment as possible each month.
Cut cable bills by eliminating unnecessary premium channels, pay per view programming, etc.
Tape movies throughout the week instead of renting them.
Carpool, share a ride, or use public transportation.
Drop unnecessary newspaper and magazine subscriptions.
Shop around for used books or used CDs instead of paying full price.

How to Save on Your Housing Expenses:
 Refinance your home when the interest rate goes down. Refinance even if the rate goes down by a half-point.
Refinance a 30-year mortgage for one that's a 15-year.

How to Become More Money Savvy:
 Never purchase an item that costs more than a hundred dollars without leaving the store first. Think about it for 24 hours or more before you buy.
Separate your wants from your needs. Ask yourself if you really need the item or if you merely want it.
Acknowledge to yourself that you cannot afford a given item.
Never purchase a new car--ever.
Whenever you see something you want to buy, stop and think how many hours you need to work to pay for it. Consider the hours you will have worked after taxes. This technique will help you to reevaluate your wants.
Put all your change in a jar and count it once a year. Use it to make an extra payment on a bill.
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