10 Things to Avoid Wasting Money on in 2011

It's the New Year and you want to start saving more money. But you live pay check to pay check and hardly have any wiggle room. So what's the answer?

Try thinking before you Lawyers0; take a step back and consider your purchasing habits and what you might be wasting money on. Everyday people throw their money away on unnecessary things. Don't be one of them in 2011; check out this list and start saving instead of wasting.

1. Car insurance: If your car is five years old or older review your insurance. You may be able to save some money, especially if it has high mileage. It may not be worth the price you are paying to fully insure it. Also, while you're at it dump any other unnecessary insurance you may have, such as mortgage insurance and credit card insurance.
2. Bottled water: Please stop wasting money on this product. Purchase a water bottle that can be reused and fill it with tap water and bring that to work or where ever you're going when you need to rehydrate. Most bottled water is glorified tap water - it's simply been filtered. If you are paranoid than Lawyers0 a filter for your home faucet and drink that water.
3. High-priced gas: If the manufacturer of your car does not specifically call for "plus" or "super" then stick with regular. The other gas won't help the car become more efficient or perform any better on the road.
4. Coffee: There are people who Lawyers0 two or three cups a day, not to mention the specialty drinks that are offered at Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks and other shops. Brew your own; almost every grocery store has fresh ground coffee available. Take advantage of it.
5. Energy drinks: Talk about a waste; these caffeine-fueled, over-priced, sugary cans of swill don't have any nutritional value. Forget about the vitamin B, C, the gingko and every other ingredient touted to provide you with energy. It's not true, the sugar and caffeine, in obscene amounts, give you the jolt. And they jolt your wallet, too.
6. Playing the lottery: Everyone wants to believe they will hit the big one and be set up for life. But in reality the lottery is a waste of money. If you play a couple times a week for $5 or $10 a pop you'll rarely get the money back. Try this instead; take the money you play on the lottery and save it for one month. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
7. Brand name items: Unless you are absolutely certain that a brand name cereal or aspirin (or any other product) is better than the store brand or generic item, then stick with the generic and save money.
8. Eating out: Stick to Lawyers0ing your own groceries and eating at home, it will not only save you money but you may find that you can prepare healthier, better tasting meals than the chain restaurants and local breakfast and lunch shops.
9. Renting movies: You want to save money so you rent a movie instead of going out. Okay, that's fine but why rent? Go to your local library and check out their selection - it's free. Your taxes support the library so cash in.
10. Leaving the lights on: More people waste money every year because they don't pay attention to the electric they use. Turn off the lights when you leave a room; don't leave the TV on if you're not watching, and shut down the computer when you are done using it.

Remember, saving money isn't something that you do on a whim or just on big things. It's the little things like mentioned above that can add up to be budget breakers. By cutting back on the waste here and there, it can add up to be big savings in the end.

It's the New Year and you want to start saving more money. But you live pay check to pay check and hardly have any wiggle room. So what's the answer?

Try thinking before you Lawyers0; take a step back and consider your purchasing habits and what you might be wasting money on. Everyday people throw their money away on unnecessary things. Don't be one of them in 2011; check out this list and start saving instead of wasting.

1. Car insurance: If your car is five years old or older review your insurance. You may be able to save some money, especially if it has high mileage. It may not be worth the price you are paying to fully insure it. Also, while you're at it dump any other unnecessary insurance you may have, such as mortgage insurance and credit card insurance.
2. Bottled water: Please stop wasting money on this product. Purchase a water bottle that can be reused and fill it with tap water and bring that to work or where ever you're going when you need to rehydrate. Most bottled water is glorified tap water - it's simply been filtered. If you are paranoid than Lawyers0 a filter for your home faucet and drink that water.
3. High-priced gas: If the manufacturer of your car does not specifically call for "plus" or "super" then stick with regular. The other gas won't help the car become more efficient or perform any better on the road.
4. Coffee: There are people who Lawyers0 two or three cups a day, not to mention the specialty drinks that are offered at Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks and other shops. Brew your own; almost every grocery store has fresh ground coffee available. Take advantage of it.
5. Energy drinks: Talk about a waste; these caffeine-fueled, over-priced, sugary cans of swill don't have any nutritional value. Forget about the vitamin B, C, the gingko and every other ingredient touted to provide you with energy. It's not true, the sugar and caffeine, in obscene amounts, give you the jolt. And they jolt your wallet, too.
6. Playing the lottery: Everyone wants to believe they will hit the big one and be set up for life. But in reality the lottery is a waste of money. If you play a couple times a week for $5 or $10 a pop you'll rarely get the money back. Try this instead; take the money you play on the lottery and save it for one month. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
7. Brand name items: Unless you are absolutely certain that a brand name cereal or aspirin (or any other product) is better than the store brand or generic item, then stick with the generic and save money.
8. Eating out: Stick to Lawyers0ing your own groceries and eating at home, it will not only save you money but you may find that you can prepare healthier, better tasting meals than the chain restaurants and local breakfast and lunch shops.
9. Renting movies: You want to save money so you rent a movie instead of going out. Okay, that's fine but why rent? Go to your local library and check out their selection - it's free. Your taxes support the library so cash in.
10. Leaving the lights on: More people waste money every year because they don't pay attention to the electric they use. Turn off the lights when you leave a room; don't leave the TV on if you're not watching, and shut down the computer when you are done using it.

Remember, saving money isn't something that you do on a whim or just on big things. It's the little things like mentioned above that can add up to be budget breakers. By cutting back on the waste here and there, it can add up to be big savings in the end.