By L. Fabry

Everyone has expenses that seem small at first, but can quickly add up at the end of the month. By cutting down on non-essentials, reviewing and eliminating unnecessary expenses, and following the 25 tips below, you will be saving $100 a month or more in no time.

1. Pay off plastic. Nothing adds up hidden charges and fees more than the convenience of a credit card. The best way is to never charge anything you can’t pay off in a month, but those who have might want to renegotiate their interest rate and balance. Credit.com is an excellent resource for those looking for the best deals in credit, rewards, and how to painlessly pay off their charge cards.

2. Quit Smoking. This unhealthy habit can easily lead to an extra $100 a month coming out of your pocket. Smokers who go through a pack a day can easily save $5 a day or $1,825 a year. A free guide to quitting smoking, along with other useful resources can be found here.

3. Car pool. Even though it’s easier said than done, car pooling can save a ton of money on gas, not to mention environmental impact. Those with a 25 mile commute, driving 50 weeks a year can look to save $100 a month on fuel expenses, and untold costs on wear and tear to their vehicle. A site, such as eRideShare, can be useful when looking for car pool groups in your area.

4. Try used products. The average consumer spends $1,750 on clothes per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. By learning to utilize thrift stores, consignment shops, and sites like eBay, you can drastically reduce your clothing costs.

5. Eat at home. According to recent statistics, the average person spent $2,276 a year on eating out. By learning to enjoy meals at home, you can save a ton of money, and even involve friends and family in the meal preparation process. The 99 Cent Chef has tons of recipes available for free online that are easy and inexpensive to prepare.

6. Refinance. When interest rates drop, talk to your lender about refinancing your home loan. Make sure to do your research before you refinance, to avoid getting scammed. A free guide can be found here.

7. Don’t let the bank pay your taxes. If you have a home mortgage, check and see how much the bank is charging to automatically pay your property taxes. With some charging $50 to $60 a month, it is well worth a look into paying taxes yourself. You can also set aside your tax money in an interest bearing account to make even more money.

8. Contest property taxes. If your local tax office constantly sends you notices of rising taxes and values, be sure to contest it. Don’t automatically assume that their estimate is right. By contesting, most applicants will get a reduced tax, and a guide to doing this can be found here.

9. Shop around for electricity. With prices skyrocketing and competition at its highest, consumers would do well to looking into other energy services. Many will give you an immediate quote for free and even offer incentives for switching. Those located in Texas can find free quotes and information here.

10. Get better car insurance. You can save substantially by increasing the deductibles on the comprehensive and collision portions of your policy. Ask for additional savings on discounts such as carpooling, air bags, and annual mileage below 10,000 miles. The Insurance Information Institute is an excellent resource for saving money on insurance.

11. Change banks. If your bank charges monthly checking fees or to use ATM’s, consider switching banks, as these charges can add up quickly. If you use direct deposit, see if your bank will waive any fees as a bonus. There are also banks that offer interest yielding checking accounts. For a list of recommended bank accounts, click here.

12. Cut prescription costs. Even with $20 to $30 copays, prescriptions can still add up to a $100 a month expense. Ask if your doctor if a generic drug will work just as well. You can even find a list of hundreds of four dollar prescriptions available at Walmart here.

13. Make sure to cancel PMI. When you buy a house with less than 20 percent down, you may be forced into buying private mortgage insurance to protect against default. The first thing to do once you have one fifth equity is to cancel this insurance, instantly saving you an average of $50 a month.

14. Lower investment fees. One of the best way to do this is to buy bonds direct from the Treasury Department. The minimum investment is $1000 for bonds and notes that mature within five and ten years. Treasury Direct offers tons of ways to buy, along with a great deal of information and resources.

15. Make the most of your deductions. Ever just drop off a bag at Goodwill without knowing what it’s worth? You could be losing hundreds of dollars on your tax return by doing so. Turbo Tax offers a free guide that shows you exactly how much your closet clutter is worth.

16. Buy in bulk. Diapers, for example, are a staple that can add up to hundreds of dollars at the end of the year. By saving, even a little, on items like these you can add up to $100 a month easily. To save even more money, consider sharing a discount store membership with a family member or friend.

17. Cut out the Starbucks. This four dollar a day habit easily adds up to $100 a month. Many who work in offices already have access to free coffee. If you are unhappy with the brand, speak to the office manager about changing it up. You can find a list of tasty, yet inexpensive coffees to make at the office or at home here.

18. Try an online video service. Spend $100 a month renting movies or games? Then try a service such as Netflix or Gamefly. They can start as little as ten dollars a month, and you can rent as many movies and games as you like without the late fees.

19. Break the salon addiction. Between haircuts, coloring, manicures, pedicures, and facials, salon costs can sky rocket into well over $100 a month. Try making the pedicure last a little longer by retouching it yourself, or use protecting products to keep your hair color vibrant. “The Washington Post” has an excellent article on how to do a professional facial at home.

20. Bag your lunch. With delis charging at least $5 for a sandwich and entrees starting at $10 at restaurants, bringing in your own lunch can save you tons of money. This site contains over 80 easy to follow recipes for a packed lunch. You can find everything from a simple sandwich to sushi rolls.

21. Get a programmable thermostat. Starting at around $50, you can purchase this thermostat and install it yourself in no time. It will drastically reduce the cost of heating and cooling your home by programming the air conditioner or heater at a lower setting while you are away from home. Links to other energy saving tips can be found at New York Energy $mart.

22. Stay away from brand names. Don’t have time to cut coupons? Then buy the generic or store brand items. If you are unsure about making the switch, flip the item over and compare it to the ingredients of the generic brand. Often times they will be very similar.

23. Utilize your library. Love to read and have shelves full of read books? Solve both of these problems at once by visiting your local library. Not only can you get the newest books for free, but you can also get movies, books on tape, and more. Save money and space by using this valuable resource.

24. Take advantage of eBay. Everyone has items lying around the house that go unused. Get the best price for them by selling online. You can also save money on the things you would like to purchase.

25. Know when to buy. With the latest technologies emerging faster than the consumer can keep up, money can be easily wasted by impulsive purchases. Visit a site like Price Fad for the latest trends in technology. It will teach you when to buy and how much to pay for that HDTV, game station, and other technological advances.

Those who think saving money cannot be painless will be surprised at how easy it is to waste finances, and how easy it is to gain them back. With these 25 tricks, you can make the most of your money, as well as your peace of mind.