Small Ways to Save $

Often times the most difficult part of any change that you make is knowing where to get started. The same is true with saving money. Most of us want to save money, but we don't know where to start. So let's start small.

Here's is a list of small and simple things that you can do to save money. Not all of these things will apply to you and your life situation, but look over the list and I'm sure that you'll find a few great ideas that will save you a little green.

25 Simple Ways to Save

1. Pay with cash (groceries, dates, outings, etc.). People spend 20% less when they buy groceries with cash.
2. Eat at home more (restaurants are expensive)
3. Trade babysitting with a friend. This works great to make going on dates cheaper.
4. Make a grocery list and stick to it
5. Plan out and cook your own meals
6. Clean out your fridge and pantry (find good food you forgot about)
7. Buy grocery store or generic brands
8. Don’t buy microwave dinners (they are way too expensive for what you get)
9. Pack a lunch for work
10. Wait for at least 24 hours before buying something over $100
11. Cancel magazine and newspaper subscriptions you don’t read or can read online for free
12. Rethink your phone plan (Are you paying for more than you use? Do you actually need a cell phone?) Sometimes just calling your carrier and asking for a cheaper plan can do wonders.
13. Use the library (There’s free stuff there!)
14. Get cheaper clothes (hand-me-downs, thrift, etc.)
15. Stop unnecessary shopping (only go shopping when you actually need something) = No more window shopping
16. Cut the gym membership and exercise at home

17. Make your next vacation a STAYcation
18. Use coupons, Groupons, online deals, etc.
19. Ditch cable TV (Netflix, Amazon, etc. are cheaper)
20. Make gifts instead of buy them (or gift your time)
21. Invite friends over instead of going out
22. Drink WATER: Other drinks are expensive
23. Check out free events in town (there are lots of free entertainment and activities)
24. Pack your own food for a road trip
25. Come up with free or cheap dates that are fun instead of just opting for the old dinner and a movie.

If you can be proactive and a little imaginative, you might even find that it's really fun to save money.  After all, isn't spending an evening with your spouse at a free local concert or playing frisbee golf in the park a lot more fun than spending a lot of money going to see that movie that you're going to forget about within a month? Nod your head and say, "Yes."