We are suggesting that you bite the bullet and cut out the booze and cigarettes. As a reward, join a gym. I can pretty much guarantee you that the monthly fee will be less than it costs for a pack a day smoker and less than a few nights out at the bars. In addition, if you are committed to using your new gym membership to the fullest, you will be far less tempted to cheat and return to your booze and cigarettes. This is because it is much harder to workout the day after having a cigarette or even one drink and also because you will want to look as good as everyone else at the gym. Being surrounded by in-shape, good-looking people is a huge motivator to keep showing up for your workouts and not to do things that make reaching your fitness goals more difficult. Who wants to be the fat, hungover person who smells like cigarettes in the gym? No one.

Added benefits are better sleep, increased productivity at work, greater energy during the day and less mindless eating. All of these things help you save money. You’ll be less likely to need medical care, which can also be a huge money-saver.

Let’s be clear. This is a trade. Don’t just join a gym and keep the booze and cigarettes on board. That’s like wearing a life preserver and wearing lead boots. Get rid of the bad stuff and treat yourself to a gym membership.

If you’ve been to the movies lately, you’ve noticed that it costs a small fortune for two tickets, two popcorns and two sodas. With movie ticket prices surpassing ten dollars a piece in many locations and snack prices approaching fifteen dollars per person, a night for two at the movies can easily cost you fifty dollars. Add in costs like transportation, parking and a babysitter for the kids and you are looking at a one night expenditure that rivals the weekly grocery bill.

Instead of paying through the nose to sit in a crowded movie theater listening to some teenager talk on her cellphone about what’s going on in the movie, having your seat back pummeled by a five year old and trying to ignore the old guy who keeps saying, “What’d they say?”, why not get a Netflix membership?

For about $17 a month, you can have three movies at a time delivered right to your door. No late fees, no crowded theaters, no exorbitant food prices. You get to stay in the comfort of your own home with someone you care about, watching a movie that interests you. What could be better?

For less than the cost of two movie tickets, you can watch as many movies as you want. Just think about how many “cheap dates” you can get out of just one month’s membership. Even if you’re solo, it’s way cheaper than going to the movies alone and you don’t feel self conscious.

In addition to having movies delivered to your door, you can watch thousands of movies on your computer for free. Yes, for free. This helps fill the gaps that could happen if you return all of your movies at once and have to wait for more to be delivered.

Because of movie piracy (i.e. people selling recent movies on DVD), studios are releasing movies to DVDs quicker than ever. This is a boon to consumers who can now watch very new movies in the comfort of their homes.

A cool feature of Netflix is its social networking capability. You and your friends can instantly recommend movies to each other. This is in addition to the recommendations provided to you by Netflix based on your rental history and movie ratings.

Click the link below if you are interested in a free two-week trial membership to Netflix:

Here in New York City, a simple bath and nail trim for a small dog will set you back around $70. The prices are much higher for larger dogs.

Many of us wish we could wash our own pets and trim their nails, but we are too nervous to do so. Or maybe we think we won’t be able to control our pets in order to properly bathe them. While it may take some getting used to (for you and your pet), your pet will grow to enjoy the experience. Dogs and cats have a genetic predisposition to identifying their groomer as their parent. In the wild, mothers often lick their offspring to keep them clean. Your pet will recognize this and grow to see the grooming as a chance to bond with you.

There are some products that make the task of grooming your own dog or cat a much more pleasant experience.

We highly recommend the Hydro Surge Bathing System. It is available at most pet stores and makes bathing your pet a breeze. It connects to your shower or to a standard garden hose, making it easy and convenient to bathe your pet.

If you are worried about controlling your pet, check out the Booster Bath. You can wash small and large dogs in the tub and drain the water into your sink or bathtub with the included five foot long hose.

For nails, we tried the Pedi Paws nail trimming tool on a pug who hates having his nails trimmed. With a little coaxing, he actually let us sand his nails down without any fuss. The only negative thing to be aware of with the Pedi Paws system is that a slightly unpleasant “burning” smell is emitted when the nails are being sanded down. This is to be expected and a small price to pay for sparing your pet the potential pain of nail clipping.

In just a few months of bathing your own pet, the tools above will pay for themselves. You will end up saving money and developing a stronger bond with your special pet.

We’ve talked about it before and we are going to talk about it again. A lot of our unnecessary spending comes from a desire to feel comfort or fill an emotional need. Stress can make us feel run down, tired, depressed and in serious need of some emotional sustenance. Sadly, many of us buy “stuff” to try and make ourselves feel better, worthwhile, wanted or important.

The truth is, no amount of material possessions can fill a need that is based in emotions or a feeling of being “less than”. When we spend money to make ourselves feel better, we achieve a temporary boost that is soon replaced by an even deeper sense of dread. Not only do our emotional needs still exist, but we’ve just wasted our hard-earned money on something frivolous instead of putting it to good use.

In addition to making us want to purchase things to feel better, stress also makes us tired and hungry. This means we get less done (and by extension make less money) and eat more food (which also costs money). If the stress is left unchecked, serious medical problems can result. And we all know that medical expenses can crush financial dreams. In fact, medical expenses are the number one reason cited in US bankruptcy cases.

Any way you slice it, stress costs you money. Next time you feel that tightness in your chest, or you feel tired and undervalued, don’t run out and buy something. Instead, try going for a walk or just sitting outside for awhile. Turn off the television and sit with your thoughts in the calm quiet. You’ll feel much better and you’ll end up saving a lot of money.

Advertising is a powerful medium designed to create perceived needs in potential buyers. The medium works best when the purchasing decision is encouraged to be made as near as possible to the delivery of the advertising message. This is why we see “Calls To Action” accompanying most ads. How many times have you heard these:
Available for a limited time only.
This offer is only available to the first hundred callers.
One Day Sale!

Here’s a little secret. Anyone who uses those calls to action uses them day and night, week after week and month after month. Quantities are not limited. The one day sale will also be a one day sale tomorrow and they are not tracking the number of callers based on the time the commercial aired. All of the calls to action are designed to pressure you to make a purchasing decision when your feeling of need is greatest.

The advertisers know that once you step back from their message, your feeling of “need” will be far less acute.

Even if your spending decision is not advertising-related, you may be still be trying to fill a need that you do not really have. You may be feeling lonely, tired, hungry, angry or any number of emotions. Your subconscious may be pressuring you to buy something to make you feel better. The passage of time resolves most emotional needs, making your purchases and spending less important.

Some of you may not buy into this need-based theory. That’s OK. You don’t need to buy into the theory to put the “sleep on it” tip into practice. Instead of thinking in terms of need, think in terms of substitution. In other words, what else could I use this money for? Is it more important for me to work towards eliminating my debt or paying for my kids’ tuition? Or is this purchase more important? A night of sleep is sure to crystallize the importance of one over the other.

Give it a try. Your bank account will thank you for it.

Here’s how it works. Find some empty space in your home or apartment. You really only need one and a half body lengths in any direction. (I’ve actually done prison workouts in a 400-square-foot studio apartment so don’t say you don’t have the space.) Now, think of what you would do to stay in shape if you were confined to this space. This is why it’s called a “prison workout.”

Things you can do to build strength and keep off the pounds are push-ups, sit-ups, squats, jump squats, running in place, jumping jacks, high step running in place, lunges (forward, backwards and sideways) and mountain climbers (start in a push-up position and alternate thrusting your knees forward like you are running up a mountain).

The most important thing about a prison workout is to keep moving. Your heart rate will rise and you will enter a fat-burning range as you build strength.

How does this save you money? Gym memberships cost anywhere from $20 a month in rural areas to $400 a month in New York City. Until the economy improves, why not pass on expensive gym memberships and develop a prison workout that you can do at home?

Other ways this saves you money is that you have access to food and drink at home so you do not need to buy expensive bottled water at the gym. And, people who exercise are generally happier, make fewer emotional purchases, and are less likely to eat emotionally than people who do not exercise.

Develop a prison workout. Your body and your wallet will thank you.

For most of us, the point of a vacation is to get some time away from our daily routine and get closer to our loved ones. This is best accomplished by taking short trips with the people you love. It is also much easier on the wallet (especially since gas prices have fallen so dramatically in recent months).

Just think about all the stress that comes along with planning a long, expensive getaway. Maybe you argue about where to go, where to stay, how much money to spend, etc. If you take a few short trips instead, each person can choose a destination. And there’s something really special about knowing that you are going somewhere together and saving money together too. You really feel like partners.

Even taking the day off and staying at home (without doing work and chores) can be a great (and free) way to recoup your energy and strengthen your relationships.

Some great ideas for short trips close to home are camping, going to the beach, visiting the park, going hiking or riding the commuter rail into your nearest major city. If you have a dog, you can bring him to the dog run and get to know the other dog owners. If you live in a city, you can do what the tourists do. Go on a bus or walking tour, visit popular landmarks and places of historical significance or just walk around a different neighborhood from than your own. Becoming a tourist in your own town can be exciting and inexpensive. And you never know who you’ll meet and what you’ll learn!

Whatever you decide to do, make it a point to talk to each other about what you are seeing and doing. Shared visits (even short ones) to anywhere are a great way to get closer to your loved ones and they don’t have to cost a thing.

Let’s face it. We all want to provide for our families and most of us feel bad if our significant other or children want something that we cannot provide. Don’t fall into the trap of acquiescing to requests by putting things like shoes, clothing or video games for your family members on a credit card.

Just as you love your family members, they also love you. Sit them all down and explain to them exactly what is going on with your economic situation. You don’t have to tell them how much money you make but you can say that your income has been cut in half (or whatever the percentage may be). If you are in danger of losing your job and need to save for an emergency unemployment, tell your family this. You might also point out examples of relatives and other people who lived through the Great Depression and ended up prospering once the economic turmoil subsided.

There is no easy way to talk to your family about not having enough money, especially if you have a strong sense of pride. In all honesty, you’re going to have to stuff your pride for your family’s sake in this case. Let them know what is really going on and ask them to help you save money for a better future. Tell them that once the family makes it through the economic crisis together, you can talk about spending money on fun things again.

If you don’t communicate your problems honestly with your family, you cannot reasonably expect them to become a part of the eventual solution.

1. Write it down.
2. Make a budget.
3. Pay yourself first.
4. Examine your monthly debits.
5. Be realistic about your cable television needs.
6. Ditch the land line.
7. Get an unlimited text messaging plan.
8. Talk to your spouse and/or children about your economic situation.
9. Shop with a list and stick to it.
10. Use coupon codes when shopping online.
11. Make day trips close to home instead of going on an extravagant vacation.
12. Develop a “prison workout.”
13. Buy a coffeemaker.
14. Drink lots of water.
15. If you’re a man, cut your own hair.
16. If you’re single, use an online dating service.
17. Wake up early.
18. Press “Mute” during commercials.
19. Sleep on it.
20. Avoid “convenience” stores.
21. Unless you drive a Ferrari, don’t buy premium gasoline.
22. Reduce your stress.
23. Clean out your closets and your garage.
24. Bring your lunch.
25. Pay more than the minimum credit card payment each month.
26. Pay off high interest rate credit cards first.
27. Bathe and brush your own pet.
28. Develop a charity plan.
29. Eat at restaurants on special occasions only.
30. Never sign up for store credit cards.
31. Be smart about who you let into your inbox.
32. Use your public library.
33. Have a snack and drink a large glass of water before going shopping.
34. Get a Netflix membership.
35. Use movie theater outings for special occasions only.
36. If you have pets, find a veterinarian who offers free ancillary care.
37. If you don’t drink, never “split the check” with people who do.
38. Take digital photos and store them on your computer.
39. Always carry an energy bar.
40. Use a water filter.
41. If you are single, go for a walk on your first dates.
42. Never use ATM’s that charge a fee.
43. Forget about picking stocks.
44. Buy store-brand trash bags.
45. Join a professional association.
46. Buy your clothing from outlet stores.
47. Never borrow money to pay for food, utilities or clothing.
48. If your employer matches 401k contributions, contribute (at minimum) the percentage they match.
49. Stay away from the freezer aisle.
50. Go outside for some fresh air and sunlight.
51. Call your credit card companies and ask them to lower your rates.
52. Buy dessert at the grocery store.
53. Become familiar with all of the benefits offered by your employer and use them.
54. Cancel your newspaper and magazine subscriptions.
55. Don’t leave your job until you have another one lined up.
56. Never buy anything located near the checkout counter.
57. Don’t use your checking account overdraft protection as a regular line of credit.
58. Trade babysitting nights with a friend or neighbor.
59. Ask for discounts on products and services.
60. Sleep for eight hours each night.
61. If you can’t pay all of your taxes, set up an installment plan.
62. Monitor your credit.
63. Avoid checking account overdraft and credit card over limit fees.
64. Use store discount cards.
65. Pay your bills on time.
66. If you’re signing up for a monthly service, ask for any setup fees to be waived.
67. If you can’t pay a bill, call your creditor and ask to work out a payment plan.
68. Ask your boss whether layoffs are planned at your company.
69. Open your mail.
70. Use dollar-cost averaging to invest in an index fund.
71. Trade in your booze and cigarettes for a gym membership.
72. If you have cable television, skip the HDTV purchase.
73. Never take an early withdrawal from your retirement account.
74. Take public transportation when possible.
75. If you have to drive to work, set up a carpool.
76. Buy generic prescription medication when available.
77. Use coupons for grocery shopping.
78. Don’t exceed the posted speed limit.
79. Consider public school for your kids.
80. Beware of phone/cable/internet bundles.
81. Turn down the heat.
82. Avoid flagship shopping districts.
83. Forget about keeping up with the Joneses.
84. Before making a large purchase, calculate how many hours of work it takes for you to make that much money.
85. Instead of giving a birthday or Christmas gift, write a heartfelt letter to someone.
86. Don’t buy lottery tickets.
87. Use positive self-talk to attract wealth and income.
88. If you work for someone else, start a side business.
89. Beware of the grocery shrink ray.
90. Know how much you and your time are worth.
91. If you are single, do not get involved in any way with a spendthrift.
92. If you need to purchase an expensive item, bring competitors’ advertisements with you to the store.
93. Don’t read catalogs (even for fun).
94. Don’t lend money to your friends.
95. Don’t “invest” in “get rich quick” programs.
96. No one needs 50 pairs of shoes.
97. Do not go to Las Vegas or Atlantic City (or anywhere else where gambling is legal).
98. Diversify your sources of income.
99. Live like your parents lived.
100. Don’t go it alone.