1. Clip Coupons. Before you head out to the grocery store or any other store, check out what they have on sale. A great way to do this is by looking on http://www.sundaysaver.com/state/Minnesota. This will allow you to review all of the ads from the Sunday edition of the Star Tribune.
2. Take your lunch to work one more day a week than you do now. Taking lunch just one more day a week will keep money in your pocket.
3. Get your books, magazines & DVD's from the library. It’s hard to beat free. 
4. Fill up your gas tank before the weekend arrives. We're all aware of the rising prices of gas. If you can't fill up before hand check out Fox 9's gas gauge http://media.myfoxtwincities.com/special/gas_gauge/index.htm. It will give you the lowest prices in the metro area.
5. Buy energy efficient appliances. Look for the Energy Star on appliances and consider the annual energy cost before buying. More efficient appliances cost more, but you make up the extra cost and then some over the life of the product. http://www.energystar.gov/
6. Buy generic over-the-counter medicines. They are exactly the same as their branded counterparts and cost less.
7. Take advantage of employer 401(k) matches. If your employer matches 401(k) contributions, do everything you can to take full advantage of that match.
8. Shut vents in unused rooms. Shutting vents in unused rooms can save on your heating and cooling bill.
9. Eat-in. Instead of going out to a restaurant, stay home & cook. There are several excellent sites to retrieve recipes from. http://allrecipes.com/, http://www.foodnetwork.com/, http://www.recipesource.com/, http://www.rachaelray.com/
10. Get rid of Private Insurance. If your down payment was less than 20%, you are probably paying PMI. Once you have a 20% cushion through reducing your debt and home appreciation (yes, prices do go up from time to time), contact your company to start the process of removing the PMI.


Have any great money saving tips? Let us know. We would love to post them in our blog.

*photo from www.freedigitalphotos.net*