SAVING MONEY - PART ONE

It's often times easier to save 10% than it is to increase your monthly income by the same amount.

And you don't necessarily have to make drastic changes to free up extra money each month -- these changes can be as simple as switching to low-octane gasoline or cooking more meals at home. Over the course of a month, these small changes can add up to big savings.

Here are 10 ways to save that can add hundreds of dollars. 


1. Plan a budget and stick to it. Nothing's worse for your monthly finances than not planning ahead. If you know an obstacle is on the horizon, such as a car payment or other bills, prepare for it by setting the money aside. Additionally, make a list of your monthly income and expenses and budget the money required to make ends meet.



2. Track your expenses. Keeping track of how much you spend not only prevents you from bouncing checks, it also helps keep you on top of your budget. With either your checkbook or online bank account - tally your spending at the end of each month and find areas where you could stand to tighten the belt.

3. Cut out the cable. It's hard to get a cable package nowadays for less than $100 a month. One alternative is to do away with it altogether. While this may seem drastic at first, you'd be surprised at how quickly you can adapt to life without cable. And it doesn't mean you have to get rid of your TV -- a cheap antenna still gives you access to local channels, and there's always your DVD player when you're in the mood for a movie. Just think about how much you can get done around the house when the TV isn't calling your name.   


4. Eat less meat. It's almost expected in the U.S. to have meat with every meal, but in most parts of the world, meat is a luxury. Limiting your meat intake to just two or three meals a week can make a huge dent in your grocery bill.

5. End your gym membership. With all of the free alternatives, why pay the bloated fee for a gym membership? Jog in your neighborhood, lift weights in your garage, swim at your local public pool -- there are plenty of options here.

6. Sign up for Netflix. There's a reason why Netflix (NYSE: NFLX) is one of the hottest stocks in the market right now. For around $20 a month, you can rent as many movies as you can watch, delivered direct to your mailbox. Or stream them online for added convenience. More and more companies are getting into this business, so you can bet the added competition will benefit the consumer with cheaper prices and increased availability.

7. Never go to the mall. It takes a strong-willed person to make it out of the mall without making a purchase. If you do need to go, have an objective in mind -- like a particular store for an item you know is on sale -- and avoid browsing, which can quickly turn into buying.


8. Become a one-car family. If you can manage one set of wheels, this can amount to big savings every month -- from loan payments, to upkeep, to fuel and insurance. Instead, take the bus or public transportation or ride share with your spouse or co-worker. Better yet, buy a bike and enjoy the health benefits.

9. Brown bag your lunch. $7 a day for a quick lunch quickly adds up over the course of a month -- that's easily around $150 bucks a month you could be using to pay off debt or create a savings.

10. Be your own hair stylist. While you might not want to cut your own hair or give yourself a perm, there's still money to be saved by coloring it yourself or going to the salon less frequently for a style. And for simple cuts for kids, a $10 investment in scissors and a 20-minute lesson on YouTube can save you a trip to Super Cuts every two weeks.