New Year’s Resolution: I Will Save Money, Part 1…

Are New Year’s resolutions stewing in your head yet? You might want to think about bringing some money-saving habits into the mix. If you need some ideas, we’ve got tons! Read on for some inspirational ideas for saving money in 2009.

Save Gas
Gas prices are down, but why not adopt a few habits that are financially and environmentally a little healthier. Consider carpooling to work with a few friends or even your spouse. I cut my expenses in half by alternating drives to work for a few months. Hidden bonus: you can ride the HOV lane and wave to all those suckers stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Also, if you work in the financial district/downtown area of your city, there’s probably a bus that will take you to and from work. All you have to do is park your car at the bus station nearest your neighborhood. My dad started doing this a year ago, and loves the freedom he has now to read, relax, or call me on the way home from work. And of course, this one’s a major gas saver.

A quick little tip for ensuring that you’re car is using gas efficiently is to check you’re a/c filter. If it’s totally clogged up, you’re definitely wasting fuel, and money. Any maintenance shop can install a new one for under $20.

Use Public Resources
In my opinion, our local libraries are considerably underutilized. Did you know you can rent movies, surf the net, print documents, and devour books for free at your library? Of course you did! And don’t forget all the wonderful free courses they offer for adults and for kids.

That’s not the only public resource available to you and your family. There are access to free tennis courts, free movies in the park, and all sorts of free activities that you can enjoy all-year long. Make a promise to yourself in 2009 that you’ll get out there and investigate. You might open you and your family’s world to new hobbies and new friends.

Bond With Your Neighbors
Another great idea for saving money is to resolve with your friends to help each other out with babysitting and even cooking throughout the year. Maybe you can resolve to have potluck parties every time to reduce costs for frequent get-togethers. Or, maybe you can alternate babysitting each others kids or pets and save a ton on babysitting and boarding costs.

With the tips above, you’ll be saving a lot of money, while tapping into the community that’s around you. What a great way to get connected and spread some love in 2009.