25 Ways to Cut Your Expenses Painlessly
By Candace Bahr and Ginita Wall, CPA, CFP

 Do you have a bit more month than money with every paycheck? Are you looking for ways to get the most bang for your buck? Here are 25 painless ways to cut your expenses this month.

1. Use your public library. In addition to free reading materials, many libraries offer free or reduced-price videos, audiotapes, CD-ROMs, and children's games for rental.
   
   
2. Practice do-it-yourself repairs and maintenance around the house, when possible, rather than paying for expensive services. Do-it-yourself books can be found for such projects as plumbing, wood and floor repair, landscaping, and painting.
   
   
3. Resolve to cut out one expense that brings you neither joy nor prosperity. Put the money that you would have spent into an envelope or a separate account for savings.
   
   
4. Go to matinee movies instead of the more-expensive regular runs, and look for cheaper-priced theaters offering "encore" films that have been out for a month or more.
   
   
5. Clip newspaper, magazine, and other print coupons and use them for necessary items you would normally purchase-but not for items you don't really need. 
   
   
6. Avoid paying costly ATM fees by using only your own bank's ATMs, and make sure you're not paying your bank for any fees for services you don't want or need.
   
   
7. Seek out garage sales and review your newspaper's classified sections for children's toys and clothes, furniture, and other items.
   
   
8. Cut down on restaurant and take-out meals, as well as costly prepared foods from the supermarket. Preparing your own food from scratch can save you lots of money.
   
   
9. Stop junk mail from luring you into buying things you don't need! To de-list yourself from most junk mail and telemarketing lists, contact the Direct Marketing Association .
   
   
10. Bring your lunch to work. You'll quickly realize how much money you've saved after one month of "brown bagging." Try putting yourself on a lunch budget, and treat yourself one or two times per month instead of every day.
    
    
11. Save on expensive dry-cleaning costs by cleaning at home with a product like Dryel, avoiding "Dry Clean Only" clothes, or washing some dry clean only clothes (not silk!) by hand. 
    
    
12. If you have a flexible schedule and can survive with just one carry-on bag, consider taking your next trip as an air courier. Your checked luggage space will be used for documents and other items shipped by an overnight courier firm. Call (308) 632-3273 or visit www.courier.org.
    
    
13. Create your own greeting cards. As the prices of store-bought greeting cards continue to rise, you can save money each year by designing your own birthday and holiday cards, or sending free E-mail greetings from the Internet. Put your skills to work if you have a computer and printer, or design cards freehand.
    
    
14. Avoid expensive gift-wrap. Shop dollar stores for gift bags.
    
    
15. Take care of your teeth to prevent costly dental bills. Brush twice a day, and, as your dentist always reminds you, remember to floss!
    
    
16. Exercise for a healthier body and state of mind. Consistent exercise over time can reduce health-care expenses.
    
    
17. If you drive an automobile, learn how to change the oil rather than paying someone else to do it. Changing the oil yourself every 3,000 to 5,000 miles can save up to hundreds of dollars a year and help preserve the life of your car.
    
    
18. Join a co-op or food-buying club to save hundreds of dollars a year over regular supermarket prices.
    
     
19. Buy store-brands instead of national brands for items you use regularly.
    
    
20. Shop around for the best gas prices, and plan your errands and driving destinations to eliminate unnecessary miles. Use the lowest-octane suggested in your vehicle's owner manual. You can also save on gas by getting your engine tuned up as suggested and keeping the tires properly inflated.
    
    
21. If you're considering getting a dog or cat, look no further than your local animal shelter. The small purchase fee often includes vaccination and neutering, which can be expensive at the veterinarian's office.
    
    
22. Comparison-shop for clothing and household items. Wait for sales, shop the Internet, and patronize resale shops.
    
     
23. Cut down on long-distance telephone calls or make calls when rates are cheapest. Research the most cost-effective long-distance plan for your household. Compare the different providers, then choose the plan that best fits your long-distance needs.
    
    
24. Check your life insurance coverage-people often spend way too much or way too little on life insurance. Increase your life insurance amount if you have recently had a child, purchased a house, or started a higher-risk job. Decrease it when a child graduates from college, you retire, or one of your beneficiaries passes away.
    
    
25. Reduce your home-utility bills by turning off lights when you're out of the room, being conservative with the thermostat, checking weather stripping to eliminate drafts, or air drying dishes and laundry.

At WIFE we welcome your comments. Please feel free to contact us.