| Saving money and paying off debts can be | | | | |
| difficult, but cutting back on day to day | | | | When winding down in the evening, a glass of |
| expenses makes the process easier. | | | | wine feels like it helps. But even if you |
| Implementing one or two ideas is all that's | | | | limit the wine to just 2 nights a week, make |
| needed to get you started on the path to | | | | sure the cost over a year is worth the |
| better banking. And you'll be rewarded with | | | | feeling. |
| more money in your pocket at the end of the | | | | |
| day. Here are a few simple tips that will | | | | 6. Pack a lunch |
| help you get more of your money in the bank | | | | |
| and working for you. | | | | Eating out is expensive, and your local |
| | | | sandwich deli is charging twice as much as it |
| 1. Avoid the lottery | | | | costs to make a sandwich at home. You'll also |
| | | | be eating healthier and saving money at the |
| Winning millions is a nice dream, but the | | | | same time. |
| chances are extremely slim. Instead of | | | | |
| attempting to win the jackpot each week, | | | | 7. Watch the home improvements |
| invest that money and earn interest on it. | | | | |
| Over 30 years you'll have built up a sizable | | | | Improving your home is a favorite activity of |
| jackpot for yourself. | | | | many home owners, but expenses add up fast. |
| | | | So unless you're adding considerable value to |
| 2. Review your vacations | | | | your home, your time and money may be better |
| | | | spent on gardening or growing your own |
| Taking an extravagant vacation more than once | | | | healthy foods. |
| a year starts to add up fast. Plan ahead, | | | | |
| especially if you have many people going on | | | | 8. Credit cards |
| vacation with you. | | | | |
| | | | Credit cards make impulse buying easier. |
| 3. Old fashioned music | | | | Watch what you spend your money on, |
| | | | especially if there are fees associated with |
| Music is everywhere, and convenient to | | | | charging big ticket items to your card. |
| purchase online. But you can easily spend a | | | | |
| lot of money on songs you may not listen to | | | | 9. Give up coffee |
| regularly. Try listening to the radio, or if | | | | |
| you want to stay digital, look into the | | | | For a cup of coffee every day before work, |
| multitude of free online radio stations | | | | you could easily spend more than $800 a year. |
| broadcasting all your favorite genres and | | | | Try a less expensive beverage, or look to |
| songs for free. | | | | alternatives for that morning caffeine rush. |
| | | | |
| 4. Working out | | | | 10. Cut back on TV |
| | | | |
| Gym memberships are expensive, and you must | | | | If you don't watch TV very much, there's no |
| be honest about its worth. If you're not | | | | need to pay for it. A monthly cable bill for |
| getting any value out of it, take a walk | | | | more than what you need is not necessary. |
| outside; explore your neighborhood or a local | | | | Especially with a solid internet connection, |
| park. | | | | there are plenty of other ways to relax, both |
| | | | online and offline. |
| 5. Luxury drinks | | | | |