For starts here are some of the services you can cancel and that you won't miss:
-Cable TV: $30-50 per month. Substitute: Online TV. You can watch many of your fav programs on the same channels' web sites (adultswim.com, discovery.com, msnbc.com, fox.com etc). When I had to choose between internet connection and cable, I went with the internet: you can watch TV, e-mail, research, read the news and watch TYT (holla!) on it. Your TV on the other hand provides limited services, thus there is no need for both internet AND cable TV)
-Landline phones: $20-40 per month. If you already have a cell phone service, ditch your landline phone, what's the point anymore?
- Gas: This is one that has been talked about enough lately, but I'll give my 2 cents: invest in a bicycle, its healthy, green, and cost-efficient. Riding to classes, sometimes I can even beat the bus:)
- For college students: USED BOOKS, USED BOOKS, USED BOOKS. You can save soooo much getting your books on Amazon or abebooks.com used. And when you're done with them don't sell them to your college bookstore, they will give you a fraction of what you can get for your books if you sold them back online. Also check your university libraries for the required books, you may not even have to buy some of them.
-Buy in bulk: I read an article about a month ago saying Americans are adjusting to high prices by not buying in bulk. Bad idea (unless you simply don't have the cash). It went on to say how stores are now carrying more half gallons of milk for people who don't want to buy the full gallon. I saw how much half gallons are and believe me, its a rip-off, you get a better deal going with the whole gallon, and guess what: if it stays in your fridge a few days past the expiration date, chances are, it will still be good.
-Don't buy bottled water (at least $1.00 per bottle). You are essentially paying for it twice with your tax dollars. The stuff from your sink is fine and approved by health officials. If you need to carry your water with you, invest in a bottle. If you by a bottle of Dasani a day, that's at least $365 a year. That's like a round-trip flight from east coast to the west coast...
- Ramens. (I had to say it, but yeah, those are nasty)
- Cut back on designer coffee. At least try the stuff at the gas station, you may find that in addition to being much cheaper, its actually not that bad...
OK, I may be back with more later, but I look forward to seeing other suggestions. Happy saving!
posted by chrisandyasemin 
