Getting Started -- Part II - Cutting Costs

Now that you've got your budget, you need to trim it. Hey - I warned you this would be hard. Let's get started. Here's some tips on where to cut your budget expenses.

-No More Dining out
Sorry, but you're not going to remember what the inside of a restaurant looks like by month three. Dining out usually runs $30 minimum for a family of four. At just once a week that's an annual savings of $1,560.

-Pack your lunch
No more dining out with co-workers. Bring your own lunch and you'll not only save money, but you'll be eating healthy too. How much? $6 a day for lunch will run you $1,500 a year. Even eating out once a week will run you $300 annually. That's only if you didn't 'want fries with that'....

-Homemade Java to go
Get that coffee to go - from home. Omit that daily java stop and you'll save $3 a day, and you won't be tempted by those gigantic muffins either. Savings? About $750 a year. Not to mention the trimming you waistline will get from avoiding those muffins....

-Cut the Cable
Time to cancel that Cable or Satellite service. After the introductory rates, you're lucky to pay under $75 a month for this. You could rent a movie at the Redbox every day and still be well under half the cost. Dump this service today and save $900 annually.

-Movie Night on the Couch
Rent a movie and watch it at home instead of going to the theater. The popcorn and soda costs much less at the grocery store, and you're couch is more comfortable anyway. Save about $400 a year.

I'll be posting more tips on cutting costs on a weekly basis. Also keep coming back for the "Free Tip Fridays" - an activity or idea that can be done at no cost.

Part III coming soon.