Saving Money...Saving $2000 a Year Without Even Trying!

I know I'm always touting how "little things add up", but it's a crucial concept in your savings journey. For example, if your goal is to save $1000 this year, you'll only need to spend $2.73 less per day to achieve that goal. Sounds a lot less daunting, doesn't it?

Here's a savings plan example where you can save $2000 over the course of a year. Some of you probably do a lot of  these things anyway, but it's still amazing how much you can save by cutting things out that won't even make an impact on your lifestyle! (All figures for a family of 4 unless otherwise noted.)

• Eating out 1 less time per month---$360/yr
• Ordering 1 less gourmet coffee per week---$192/yr (per person)
• Bringing leftovers for lunch instead of eating out 2 times per week---$480/yr (per person)
• Indulging in 1 less grocery store impulse buy per week---$144/yr
• Ordering water instead of soda at a restaurant 2 times per month---$192/yr
• Buying bagels and cream cheese at the store instead of going out for bagels 1 time a week---$192/month
• Borrowing a book from the library instead of buying it new 1 time a month---$120/yr (per person)
• Lowering your Christmas budget by $5/person---(varies, for us it's around $125/yr)
• Buying ice cream at the store instead of going out for ice cream 2 times per month---$178/yr
• Making birthday cards instead of buying them---$50/yr
• Grand Total--$2008/yr

These are just a sample of the many ways to shave off a dollar or two per day to reach your savings goals. What are your favorite ways to save that really add up over time?
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