9 Quick Ways to Save Money in 2009

Many Americans baulk at the words "budget", "cut back", "spending plan", "reduce expenses", or "save" and other terms that are used to help Americans change their spending habits. However, these words are not the enemy, your spending habits are. These words are very helpful and if followed can begin to change your financial situation over a short period of time.

The recession should be a wake-up call to all Americans aged 18 and over that now is the time to change those bad spending habits and plan for the future. We must use the advice of our parents, grand-parents and great-parents such as "a penny saved is a penny earned", "save your money for a rainy day", "better safe than sorry" and many others sayings.

I have talked to thousands of people across the country and many times when I talk some who is 50 and older they are not experiencing a financial crisis, they have one credit card or no credit cards, are not in debt or have small amounts of debt, have a savings account and a retirement account and are puzzled as to why so many Americans who are employed are struggling to pay their bills. If you fit into that category here are 9 quick ways to save money in 2009.

1. Ditch the Starbucks. Trade in your Starbucks for coffee at home. On average a cup of Starbucks costs $5.25 a cup. If you drink 5 cups a week you are spending on average $26.25. On average one bag or canister of coffee from the grocery store costs $5.76 which can last anywhere from one week to three weeks depending on how many cups you drink a day.

2. Drink tap. Trade bottled water for tap water. Use a filter to remove particles from the tap water.

3. Cancel all memberships. Cancel any memberships you currently have and request a full or partial refund. In you have a gym membership cancel the membership and exercise at home with a video tape or take low cost classes at a local YMCA or community center.

4. Cancel subscriptions. Cancel all magazine and newspaper subscriptions. To keep up with current events listen to the radio or watch the news.

5. Downsize. Move to a cheaper apartment, condo or home. Trade in your car for a used car with a cheaper note. Trade in designer clothes for cheaper brands like Gap or Old Navy.

6. Get a roommate. Rent out a room in your home or apartment. Sleep in the basement or on a couch to rent out a room if you only have one bedroom. Use the extra money to pay down debt or create a savings account.

7. Skip the pampering. Skip the hairdresser and barber or reduce visits by half each month. Skip the spa or nail salon for those facials, manicures and pedicures. Try doing them at home yourself to save money.

8. Reduce car expenses. Buy the cheapest gas possible for your car. Carpool and get regularly scheduled maintenance on your car to make it last longer. Keep you car for at least 5-10 years to save money.

9. Slash your grocery bill. Skip the steak and potatoes and pork chops. Fix more casseroles, soups, stews and other comfort foods to save money on grocery bill costs. You can also eat sandwiches for lunch or dinner, eat tuna, hot dogs, bologna, breakfast food, Ramen noodles, cup 'o noodles and other cheap buys to slash your grocery bill.