- Plant flowers that use less water and install sprinklers suitable to your garden.
- Fill up your dishwasher before washing the dishes.
- Wash your clothes using cold water and detergent suitable for cold water.
- Turn off all unnecessary lights.
- Weatherize your home by using caulk and weather stripping around all your windows and doors.
- Buy or replace your appliances with better energy efficient ones. Check with your local energy company for incentives.
- Replace your light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. They are costly, but can be very efficient and can save you money.

2) With high gas prices everywhere, here are a few ideas to help you save a little money at the pump and also what you can do to help your car last longer:

- Use the public transportation to commute to and from work each day. Buying a monthly bus pass, which is a much cheaper way to commute compared to your monthly car gas, parking lot fees, and car maintenance.
- Walk or bike if you can to places close to your home.
- Use the carpool system with friends, co-workers or neighbors and make sure to take turn to drive.
- Avoid unnecessary driving everywhere, but instead try to combine as many of your errands to fit in a trip.
- Maintain and service your car regularly (oil change every three months, tire rotation and brakes checked as needed, air filter changed as recommended, etc.)
- If you replace your car, buy one that get good mileage. Don't pay to too much for the car itself, and shop around for insurance.

3) Reduce your monthly home telephone bill. Home phone services can be very expensive when adding all the extra features such as caller ID, voice mail, call waiting, long distance service etc.

- Check with you phone provider if they offer any package that contains some of the features you want such as caller ID, voice mail, call waiting etc. It may be cheaper to sign up for a phone package.
- Making long distance phone calls is becoming more and more affordable. There are many long distance providers who want your business and willing to offer a great monthly rate. Also, you can consider buying calling cards. They are available in your grocery stores and offer great rate per minute.
- Don't pay for unnecessary features. Call your local provider and cancel them.
- Avoid long distance phone calls by sending more emails.

4) Reduce your eating out and your shopping habits.

- Take a sack lunch from home.
- Do your shopping and buy things you like to eat and easy to make.
- Avoid going out to expensive restaurants.
- Make fewer visits to your favorite stores. It helps to avoid impulsive buys.
- If possible, pay everything with cash. Avoid unnecessary debt.
- Shop around for the best deals.
- Save any extra money you have left.
- Stick with your budget if you have one.
- Use coupons and take advantage of case lot sales.

Having an idea to reduce your cost of living can be achieved. You need to have a strong desire to change your way of life. The following ideas above are simple enough that you can start anytime. It will help reduce your costs of living and guarantee to save you money if you stay with it.