Give Hope

Picture from the LA Times

You can text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to American Red Cross relief for Haiti. When prompted, reply with YES to confirm your one-time gift. The $10 donation will appear on your next mobile bill and 100% of the donation will go to Red Cross to help those hit by this natural disaster.

Make your own lunch honey bunch

Food is one of those things that I justify spending money on, because I really do need to eat, unlike many of the other things I claim to need such as DVR and a blackberry.  So in an effort to cut back I have decided to bring my lunch to work one day a week. This should save me around $500 for the year! And hell I make pretty good food, it's almost a treat.

Be Ready For Anything - Go Travel Size

I can still remember my first semester of college when I realized I had done the unthinkable - forgotten to put on deodorant. I dashed to the local college shop, because I just couldn't go without it all day. I bought some weird baby powder smelling roll on that I would never use again. It only set me back $4??! It was a lesson learned.

I now am prepared for those everyday little disasters and touchups. Travel size deodorant (you have to buy roll on if you leave this in your car, trust me!), travel toothbrush, flossers, body spray, etc are stocked in my car and purse. Keep your eye out for your favorite products in travel size which is pretty easy to find with the 3 oz carry-on regulations. You will not only prepared, you will save from buying some overpriced product you will probably never use again.

Coupons aren't just for your Grandmother

There is some odd stigma about using coupons. If you are one of those people that cringe at coupons, then I think you should reconsider. Look at it for what it is, free money you are being offered to try a product or service. They wouldn't be there if they didn't want you to use them. 

For years I have been a fan of the Entertainment Book which is stocked with coupons and deals on dining, shopping and travel. The 2 for 1 dining coupons are my favorite. My love of food will never change no matter what my budget is, so it is important to me that I get to try new places and enjoy food out. They even give you a card to carry in your wallet for the nicer restaurants so you don't have a clipped coupon.

I recently joined Groupon for one exclusive, super cheap deal of the day on the best things to do, see, eat, and buy. Restaurants, Theatre, Spas, Classes, Sporting Events, Bars, Museums, Concerts, Gyms and a whole lot more...

Take a break

Giving up something forever is well... really really hard to do. So why not take a break. Similar to what us Catholics do for Lent set an amount of time and give something up. For the frugal side of it pick something that costs you, such as coffee, cigarettes, or alcohol. I am giving up alcohol for a month. Not that I consider myself a heavy drinker - but I think it will be a great detox on my body and wallet.

Build an emergency fund

I'm always reading about having an emergency fund. Most people say that you should have 3 months salary tucked away. During these tough times that can seem pretty hard to achieve, especially if you had to use your savings to keep yourself a float.

So I took a look at my financial forecast for 2010 and set a savings goal to reach by 2011. The key is I made it realistic. Less than $85 a month would leave you with $1,000. People seem to have a habit of making crazy goals that just don't happen. Start small and pay yourself first. Just remember to not touch it unless there is an actual emergency....and no a trip to Vegas does not count... I learned that one the hard way - Happy Saving!