13 WAYS TO LIVE WELL ON LESS

Track what goes out. Save automatically and spend selectively is exactly what money experts and consumer advocates advise.

Analyze your spending. Notice exactly now much you are spending and where. Make a budget. Managed money works harder.

Never pay retail. "Everything's negotiable. For example, buy clothing in season. That's when the retailers consider it past the season and put it on sale.

Try store brands. Try the store brand items when grocery shopping. They usually cost 40% less.

Buy used. New is nice, but for the best buy, think preowned. The classic example is a used car. After two years of depreciation, you can get a good, high-quality car at virtually half price and if you ever do buy a new one, plan on keeping it five to 10 years.

Pay cash. When you spend cash, it hurts and you spend less. When shoppers spend cash, you spend 12% to 18% less than when you spend plastic because of the emotional pain. You can get a better deal when you use cash as a negotiating tool.

Pick your credit card wisely. If you must use a credit card, make sure it's one that gives you something. Look for a no fee card with a rewards program.

Shop around for auto insurance. You want your car protected, but make sure you get the most cost effective coverage you can. The typical savings by shopping around for better auto insurance rates is around $1,000. Look at your coverage and deductibles on an annual or semiannual basis. Can you afford to raise the deductible to lower your premium? Are there any overlaps in your coverage that could be eliminated?

Dial up phone savings. Your cell phone certainly comes in handy, but is your plan really worth what you pay? "There are lots of people who sign up for calling plans for cell phones who don't need them. A more economic choice might be a prepaid plan.

Do you travel with your cell phone? Be sure you don't face roaming charges. A better telephone travel move might be a discount calling card.

Change your mortgage payment method. Make biweekly payments instead of monthly house payments. You don't change the amount; simply send in half a payment every two weeks. That means you make an extra payment every year and can slice nearly seven years off the average mortgage.

Pay yourself first. Automatically transfer part of each paycheck to a retirement account before you get your take home pay.

Exercise restraint. Finally, call upon your willpower when it comes to spending.

Want to save money on your phone bill? Hang up.
Want to use less gas? Stay home.
Do you need a bread maker when you have an oven?
Sometimes cutting costs really is just a matter of saying enough is enough.