Changes we’ve made:

1) Save for what we want to buy instead of charging it. By putting money in a savings account we actually earn interest on our purchase.

2) Instead of eating out four nights a week at marginal restaurants we eat out twice a week at a nice restaurant.

3) Got rid of processed foods. They’re more expensive than real food anyway.

4) Get rid of negative people, situations etc. which often lead to less money in the long run.

5) Support locally owned businesses. It may mean a few cents more but in the long run its better to support your community than a chain.

6) Buy only what we can eat so it doesn’t go to waste or going in on bulk stuff with other families or friends.

7) Increased the automatic deductions that go into savings. We don’t even notice those extra dollars but we do love the increase in the balance!

Just downloaded the new Timbaland CD at Amazon for $5 – what I would have paid in taxes alone to buy the CD (got Tiffany Giardina when it first came out for $2). Lots of values out there if you shop wisely.

Need to agree with Deb Krol on car, too. I’m shopping. Make sure you take CARE of that leased car. I could be the next owner. Disagree with Ms. Krol also. Do not believe in extended warranties for anything. Thought I did for computer, but never used the three year one I had. The computer was gone in two years. I’m also looking at upgrading my computer; anyone know where I can get a bargain on the NEW Google phone?

First of all, GET RID OF THAT LEASED VEHICLE!! Just buy a one- or two-year-old vehicle, purchase the extended warranty and be done with it. What a big waste of money leasing is!!!

If you don’t already have one, get a savings account going and have at least six months’[preferably one year] basic living expenses set by.

How are your credit card and other unsecured credit balances? They should be 0 or close to it, it’s ok to use them but don’t run up huge balances, the credit card firms have raised interest rates to near-usury levels. That’s just money out the window.

Getting rid of that $4 coffee habit will save you a bunch, if you’re able to, take your lunch or if you must go out, order appetizers and water.

Quit buying books and just check them out at the library. Ditto movies. [although I do purchase books, I'm careful about how much I spend. And I use Redbox's $1 rental, although I'm checking out a lot more at the library]

Definitely plan meals and go shopping once or twice a month or so. A tip: Save your coupons for one month, that’s when the items the coupons are for usually go on sale. Double your savings! [what, you don't use coupons? Shame on you...]

I could go on and on but you get the drift. I’ve never made much money but I like living well, so hubby and I have been frugal all our lives and we do live pretty well on what we make. I should start up one of those frugal blogs!!!

Doing exercise work outs from On Demand (they have a whole series!) instead of paying for the gym.

I always have Starbucks Via packets on hand so I’m not tempted to splurge on elaborate coffee drinks or make too much coffee in my coffeemaker.

I use Skype more often for local meetings, instead of always meeting for lunches.

I went to Michaels and stocked up blank (decorate yourself) greeting cards and gift bags and a big packet of gift tissue so I can use them instead of shopping for it at the store, which is always very expensive!

I listen to Pandora now, instead of going on random iTunes benders.

It’s been fun to read everyone’s list, lots of fab ideas!

I can completely relate to this. Over the last year I’ve realized the number of things I can do to stretch the dollar, and the amount of money I wasted on fundamental non-necessities. Here’s what I did:

1. Go to the grocery store once/week vs. a few times per week (as a single person I found that going more frequently meant I was spending more money).

2. I’ve adopted running outside since I live in LA over a gym membership, and also bought myself some arm weights from Target to eliminate the gym completely.

3. Canceled my Verizon embedded Internet service on my personal laptop. I also get Internet and emails on my blackberry, and at work I have Internet as well so no need to pay for all of that. Many coffee shops have free Wifi anyways.

4. Cable – this was a tough one, but as a PR person I’m rarely ever home to watch a lot of TV so I got a smaller package – who needs Showtime, Cinemax, etc really?

5. Networking – many of my friends are publicists, journalists and work in entertainment. Instead of going out to dinner, we now get together at someone’s house and each bring a dish, wine, etc. vs. spending a lot to go out every week.

Like you I no longer get mani/pedis, those I do myself, and like you I canceled my mag subscriptions, at least the ones that I can easily do with out.

4.