Photo by rosscrawford1 (flickr.com)

The holidays are over, school has started once again, and this weekend is all about recharging. Inevitably, the holiday shopping bills will be coming due and finances will soon be at the forefront of your mind. While we have no magical solution for curing money woes, we do have six practical ideas to help you save money this year. If you have already done some of the things we suggest in the past, they will be a good reminder for you for this new year. If you have not tried them, why not give them a shot and see if they help. Make 2011 your year to save.

1. Coupons

Coupon clipping and saving has never been easier. Be a traditionalist and cut those paper coupons out of the Sunday paper and fliers that come during the week. If you have a Smartphone, apps like Pushpins can make it easy to save on your favorite items by linking coupons to your store shopping card after you scan the products you are buying. Instead of spending the money that you saved, put that amount in a summer vacation or class supply wish list jar.

2. Turn Down the Heat

Winter months in the Northern states can be frigid!  By turning your electric, programmable thermostat down by even two degrees, you can save money on your energy bills.  Grab an extra sweatshirt or pair of slippers to keep yourself cozy.

Photo by Noize Photography (flickr.com)

3. Say Goodbye to Texting

Do not panic! We are as addicting to texting as you are, but instead of paying for high text messaging services, use free ones instead. Opt for the least expensive text messaging plan your carrier offers, and download a free messaging service like AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, or TextNow. As long as your friends are also on those services, you can text as much as you want for no cost. (Tip: Always check with your provider to make sure free text messaging services will not incur additional fees from them.)

4. Dress for Less

Teachers know that the more comfortable their clothes are, the more comfortable they will be teaching. But what about those special occasions or when you just need something different? Have a clothing and accessories swap with friends. Ask everyone to bring in-fashion, but little worn clothing and accessories that they have in their closet, but just do not wear. Make a party of it and have fun shopping for free from your friends’ closets.

5. Buy in Bulk

From cereal to teacher resources, buying in bulk can save you a lot of money. Always check to be sure that the cost per unit is cheaper for the bulk item than it would be if purchased individually. For food items, be realistic about your consumption of the product. If it will take you three years to eat 12 packs of hot dogs in bulk, you might want to just buy the packages individually.

6. Plan Ahead

Plan everything from meal plans to grocery shopping to errands that you need to run. You will end up saving yourself time and money by knowing exactly what you need to buy and where you need to go. With a little thought, your grocery bill can be lighter and your gas tank can stay full.

The ideas above are a great place to start if you are thinking about cutting costs and saving money. What are some of your favorite ways to save money? Share them with us below and be entered to win this week’s Really Good Product Giveaway!