It’s time to start saving more money and slashing your debt!

Try these 10 easy ways to save money and apply that savings to your debt:

1. Consolidate your debt and transfer balances to low-interest accounts. If you have outstanding debts, make sure you are paying the lowest interest rate possible on them by transferring balances to a lower rate account, or if possible, getting a low-interest bank loan instead.
2. Avoid individual serving size packages of food at the grocery store. These cost more and use more packaging for less product. A family of four can save about $2,000 per year in grocery costs by not buying food in individual serving sized packaging.
3. Use Freecycle.org. You may be surprised at things that are free for the asking, right in your neighborhood. Before going out to buy something new, check Freecycle to see if someone might be able to give you a good used one for free.
4. Feed your kids for free. If you are treating your family to a restaurant meal, you might as well go somewhere that will let your kids eat for free. Find local restaurants that offer free food for kids at MyKidsEatFree.com.
5. Listen to your favorite music for free. Instead of paying for music per-download, why not listen for free? Pandora Internet Radio, Spiral Frog and Live365.com offer a wide variety of free music.
6. Don’t pay for directory assistance. You can get free directory assistance by dialing 1-800-FREE-411, 1-800-GOOG-411, or by texting your request to 46645.
7. File your income tax return for free. Go to IRS.gov and click on “free file” on the left. From there you can get software to prepare and file your federal tax returns electronically for free.
8. Save money on prescriptions with DestinationRx. DRx.com shops for the cheapest prescription prices and suggests cheaper generic medications that can be substituted for expensive name-brand drugs.
9. Don’t speed. Driving over 60 mph burns gas faster; for every 5 mph over 60, you’ll lose about 20 cents on each gallon of gas.
10. Install a programmable thermostat and save about $100 per year in energy costs.

Still Having a Tough Time Paying the Bills?

If you’re squeezing the pennies just as hard as you can and still having a tough time making ends meet, filing bankruptcy may be a debt-relief option for you.

Bankruptcy may help you eliminate debt through a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing, or it may help you repay your debts by making one lower monthly payment through a Chapter 13 bankruptcy repayment plan.

Learn about filing bankruptcy by connecting with a bankruptcy lawyer (for free) today.

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