5 Easy Ways to Save Money and Spend Less

In this economy, it's hard not to spend more and more money each time you go to the grocery store and put gas into your car. Personal finances are getting tighter, and more people are getting bogged down in debt. There are things you can do, though, to help you spend less and save money in this economy.

First, eat less meat. It's one of the highest priced food items we buy at the store, so cutting back can provide a small amount of relief to our personal finances. Try eating one meal without meat this week. Next week, make it two meals. Have vegetable soup, pancakes, scrambled eggs or spaghetti (without meatballs) instead. Get creative. Search online for meatless recipes. Not only will you save money, but its healthier and actually reduces the risk for cancer.

Another one of the ways to save money is to re-shop your car insurance if you've had the same policy for 18 months or longer. Call around and get quotes from several other companies. Then, see if your current car insurance company will match your best quote. If not, switch companies. Also, if you pay your car insurance monthly or quarterly like most, find out if you will be charged any fees and how much they are for making payments. A couple bucks a month can really add up over the course of a year.

Not going to see movies at the theater and not renting videos from a video store can help ease the tension of personal finances. Instead, sign up for an online program that costs just a few dollars a month. Usually the price of the online club is equivalent to one trip to the movie theater or 2-3 video rentals. The videos are sent right to your door so you also save money on fuel.

Buying generic is another one of the ways to save money. Most stores offer a generic equivalent to foods, health and beauty products and medicines. If you read the ingredients, they are usually the same or pretty close to it.

Shop at Wal-Mart. I know lots of people who hate Wal-Mart. They say it's too crowded, too noisy, the lines are too long, etc. But you can't beat the prices. (If you're actually able to find something cheaper somewhere else, Wal-Mart will match the price.) You also save money on fuel, because Wal-Mart has pretty much everything: groceries, clothes, make-up, automotive products, medicine, etc. So you don't need to go to other stores. Maybe the lines are a little longer there, and it is a little noisier, but if you could save money every week it could very well be worth it.

It's important to find ways to save money in this economy. Our personal finances depend on it. Try one of these tips to save money this week, and next week, try another.

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