Rethink your mortgage
Though it may take a little time and money, it's possible to save on your home mortgage in the long run.
11. Dump PMI. If you put less than 20 percent down on your home, you're probably paying private mortgage insurance (PMI). Find out if you've built up enough equity to drop it. You could save $1,000 a year.
12. Pay more to save big. Shelling out an extra $100 a month on your mortgage will trim more than five years off a 30-year mortgage and save about $63,000 in interest (based on a 7 percent rate on a $200,000 mortgage). If you're having trouble making your payments, though, see how to .
Make sure you're covered
Some insurance costs are avoidable. Check in with your agent annually to see where you can save.
13. Call your auto agent. You may qualify for additional discounts if you've paid off a car loan or moved to a new zip code, if your commuting habits have changed, if your car has aged so much that collision coverage is no longer worth the cost, or if your kids have moved away.
14. Slash home insurance costs. Just raising your deductible from $250 to $500 can save you 10 percent on your premiums.
15. Consolidate your policies. By insuring your home and car with the same company, you can cut your bill by 5 to 15 percent.
Save on entertainment
You can live on a budget and still have fun. Use these tips to save $100 or more annually.
16. Get rid of the fluff. Trimming your satellite or premium cable package can make a difference. By dropping just one premium movie channel, you may reduce your bill by more than $100 a year.
17. Rent movies. Staying in goes a long way toward trimming your budget. Eliminate one trip to the movie theater per month ($30 for two, including treats) and you'll save $360 a year.
18. Go to the library. Besides books, you can also borrow magazines and movies.
Steer clear of hefty bank charges and fees
Banks and credit card companies love to charge fees for just about everything. Your job is to avoid them!
19. Stop ATM charges. Use your own bank's ATM and save yourself an average of $2 per transaction. Eliminating just one transaction fee per week will net you about $100 per year. Better yet, take out cash only once a week and use a debit card for purchases instead (they're generally fee-free).
20. Pay your bills on time. Credit card companies charge a premium for late payments. Eliminate just one late fee ($25) per month and save about $300 a year.
21. Make payments online. Your time is valuable, too. You'll not only save money on postage, you can wait until the last minute to pay. If you sign up for automatic bill pay, you'll never risk a late fee again, and you'll have even more time.
Bonus tip
Be cash-savvy: After paying bills online, set aside some cash from each paycheck, separating it into categories by envelope (food, movies, etc.). When the envelope's empty, you're done. how you keep from overspending.