Cut your spending by $500 a month
In today's tight economy, who doesn't want to free up some cash? Trim the fat but not the fun from your budget - here's how.
Join the club
Sometimes you have to spend a little to save more. These upfront outlays can yield big payoffs.
Get carded. Nab discounts by paying a membership fee at businesses you frequent. A $25 Starbucks Gold card will earn you a 10% break on lattes and pastries (worth the price if you spend at least $21 a month), plus two free hours of Wi-Fi a day.
Buy the book. Discount coupon books like The Entertainment Book may seem cheesy, but for $10 you can get discounts of 10% or more at restaurants, theaters, and other venues in your area, along with other freebies. Or go online for discounts at entertainment.com and restaurant.com.
Drive a bargain. A $73 annual membership in AAA doesn't just buy you maps and a free tow when you need one. You'll also qualify for hundreds of discounts, and not all of them involve travel: 6% from Dell, for example, and 10% from Target.com.
NEXT: Tip judiciously
-
Groceries -
Car -
Shoes -
Twitter -
Timing -
Stretching -
Commuting -
Gas -
Printers -
Generics -
Work out -
College -
Camp -
Prescript... -
Pills -
Childcare -
Pets -
Health risk -
Phone bills -
Coupons -
Assistance -
Taxes -
Shopping -
Spending -
Convenience -
Happiness -
Indulgences -
Temptations -
Fees -
529 plans -
Interest ... -
Investments -
Car insur... -
Banks -
Overdrafts -
Life insu... -
ATM fees -
Cash -
Web tools -
Home -
Energy -
Lawn -
Mortgage -
Tools -
House -
Renovations -
Appliances -
Home insu... -
Sample sa... -
Home goods -
Clothing -
Designers -
Fun -
Food -
Gardening -
Champagne -
Sports -
TV -
Books -
Music -
Club cards -
Tipping -
Vacations
Last updated August 17 2009: 9:37 AM ET
Note: Assumes 12 Starbucks drinks ($4 each); one free concert a year, restaurant/mo. through Entertainment Book for Cleveland; 10% off on $700 seven-night hotel stay; 30% off on four theme park tickets; $20 off at Target.com; minus membership fees.
