In these hard economic times, everyone is looking for ways
to make money or to stretch their dollars. It may seem
impossible when your budget is so tight, but there are many
simple ways to make money and reduce your monthly expenses.

You can save money on your health insurance and life
insurance by doing a few things differently. If you smoke,
quit. Though it isn't easy, it will reduce your health
insurance rates and your life insurance premium and payout.
In addition to saving on insurance, quitting smoking will
put a lot of money back in your pocket. A moderate smoking
habit costs over $2,000 per year. That's about $20,000 for
every decade spent smoking. Just think what you could do
with an extra $2,000 this year!

Small changes at the grocery store and while shopping for
clothes and necessities can help you save too. Coupons may
seem like a passing idea, but there are still many valuable
coupons found in weekly newspapers, magazines, and on line.
Many stores offer discount coupons if you sign up for their
online newsletters. Simple things like making a list before
you shop, or shopping only during sales can put money back
in your pocket too. Or have weekly BOGO (buy one, get one)
deals emailed to you so you can shop where the discount are.

If you are single, consider getting a roommate to help with
the rent or mortgage. A roommate can also help share the
food bill and other household expenses. If you are a
college student, consider living at home or off campus to
save on room and board.

Buying used items can also help you save money. With
bartering websites like e-bay, Craigslist and Freecycle you
can find good deals on used items or even exchange
something you have for something you need. Used clothing
stores are a good place to shop especially for kids
clothing. You can get together with other families you know
and exchange clothing as your kids grow.

Some money saving ideas may take an investment at first,
but will pay off in the end. If your job does not have an
advancement potential, you can go back to college to
increase your skills or start a new career altogether. Many
colleges offer night courses or online classes that you can
fit into your schedule. In the competitive job market we
live in having additional skills and education can make the
difference. The investment will pay off in the end, if it
helps you to get a higher paying job.

Having a reliable car doesn't mean having an overwhelming
car payment. Buying a used car is much more economical then
trying to take on a car payment for a brand new car. Or
even buy a running car for under $1,000 and a book for that
car for $20, and you would be getting rid of having car
payments all together. Buying a used car can also save you
money on some insurance costs. And speaking of insurance,
make sure you shop around about every six months for new
insurance quotes to make sure you are still getting the
best deal.

By doing some or all of these simple things you can save
money and stretch your dollar. Pretty soon it will seem
like money is floating all around you.