Small ways to save more

WASHINGTON (3/14/07)--No matter how little or how much money you make, it pays to save. If finding money in your budget to sock away seems difficult, it's not impossible if you learn a few tricks (Kiplinger's March 1).

Saving as little as $1,000 a year--$83 a month--can pay big dividends in the long run. The younger you start saving, the greater your rewards will be (MSNMoney.com).

Find easy ways to boost your savings:

• Bring your lunch to work instead of eating out each day.
• Buy soda at the grocery store and bring it to work instead of plugging change into a vending machine. Better yet, drink water, which is healthier than soft drinks.
• Visit the library and check out free music, movies, and books.

• Regularly check your tire pressure to help make sure you're getting decent gas mileage.

• Stop smoking. If a pack-a-day habit costs $3.50, that's nearly $1,300 a year.
• Use cold water to do your laundry. Research shows clothes get just as clean, and you save money on heating costs.
• Air-dry as much laundry as you can to save money on your electric bill.
• Invest in a programmable thermostat.

• Buy pasta, canned goods, cereals, rice, and other nonperishables in bulk, as prices generally are lower in bigger quantities.
• Let your hobbies save you money. Learn how to cook, garden, sew, or make cards and gifts. You'll save money and have fun at the same time--so long as you don't go overboard on those tempting supplies.

If nothing else works, dig under your couch cushions for some spare change and feed your hungry piggy bank. Every little bit is worth saving.

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