Discretionary Spending The items that you don’t really need fall into the category of discretionary spending. Sometimes, the line separating necessary and discretionary spending can become blurred. Is going to the movies a treat or absolutely required to maintain your mental health? You confront these…

Get Real With Your Spending To control your spending your first must know how much you actually spend and what you are spending your money on. “Most people have no idea what they are spending on things like fast food and coffee for the month,”…

Tip #1: Mind the Lights Switch your incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps that are qualified by the Energy Star program. You’ll save around $40 over the life of each bulb. Traditional incandescent lights are the least efficient type of household lighting, since 90 percent…

Habits — Bad Ones A habit is like an ancient decision — you replay the same behavior that originated from a conscious choice you made in the mists of the past. Now you are on autopilot, repeatedly acting out the same behavior with nary a…

Nutritionists recommend eating several servings of fruits and vegetables a day, but buying produce at the store can be expensive. Many people are also concerned about pesticides and genetic modification in mass-produced foods. “Growing your own produce can save a significant amount of money,” advises Holland, “and you’ll have control over what goes on your plants and in your body.” You may not have room in your yard for a full-blown garden, but most vegetables adapt well to containers or vertical growing.