Save Where You Can
Make Your Own Morning Coffee
$3.50 for a cup of joe that costs less than a buck to make at home? Please. Buy the nice paper cups with plastic tops, buy the fancy coffee beans. Get a decent single or double serving coffee maker and save yourself tons of dough. Plan ahead, and save yourself both time and money.
Use Your Public Library
Most libraries are doing a great job of keeping up with the times. Internet use, partnering with other libraries to enlarge available titles, adding DVDs to their collections, are all actions they are taking to keep patrons satisfied. Take advantage of this. Don’t buy books, especially rarely used reference materials, unless you have to. Chances are your library will have it, or can get it, and save you money in the process.
Consider Movie Delivery Services
We all know the drill, high ticket prices, even higher concessions; regular visits to the big screen can really add up. Will you die if you don’t catch the next big thing the week it’s released? No. Will you your stress continue until all your debts are paid off? Yes. So you decide what’s more important. Why home delivery instead of neighborhood video store? No late fees. Enough said.
Notice all Your Entertainment Expenses
A bit of a corollary to the previous suggestion - regular movie rentals, live gaming, cable, clubs, concerts, day-trips, shopping, dining out… the list could go on and on. If you have debts, shortening the list of activities that require money could speed up your freedom.
Brown Bag It
Anyone who has tracked their spending over time knows that one of the largest spending categories is food. This is especially true for those who eat out a lot. To bring down the total in this area, find a line of inexpensive frozen dinners that you like or bring leftovers from home. These are without a doubt the more economical lunchtime options.
Never Pay Retail
Consider all the other places you can get what you’re looking for. Shopping online through sites like ebay or craigslist can save you tons of money. If it’s necessary to hit the brick and mortar stores, check out pawn shops and discount sellers. If you insist on shopping the retail stores, at least plan ahead so that you’re making purchases not in season for the item. Coats and snowboards will be least expensive towards the end of winter. Great buys on camping gear comes at the end of summer. You get the idea.
Keep the Right Frame of Mind
Remember, it’s not that you don’t have the money, it’s that you desire to put the money towards other things. The money that you don’t give up to stores or service providers is money you get to keep for yourself Keep in mind all the reasons you have for being more frugal. Focusing on these things will help you reach your financial goals.