ZipLoc and Other Plastic Bags

Who said Ziploc storage bags bags can only be used once?
They are made out of plastic after all and can be turned inside out, washed, dried and reused. Personally, I prefer the plain no-name brands offered by Target or Aldi.

Small plastic grocery bags can be used as in-liners for small trash cans. Larger plastic bags (e.g. from Target) suffice as trash bags for your regular kitchen trash. Remember to recycle, it keeps the actual amount of trash to a minimum. Most plastic containers can be recycled these days.

There's no need to pay for something that most stores are giving away for free.

Save a Buck at Starbucks

For the longest time my office buddy and I would go to Starbucks and order each the same type and tall size coffee. Every day, every morning.
Now we order the venti size in two cups. We pretty much cut the costs of coffee in half.
Yearly savings: 5 * 1.70 * 48 = 408 dollars.
Well, you could just brew your own. However it might not always be that easy in an office setting. This nice Voltage Valet Quick Café II (Travel Coffee Maker) for $40.00 seems to offer an alternative when there is limited space available.

Credit Card Dept

Always pay off credit cards with the highest interest rate first (not the ones with the largest balance)! Always.

The interest/balance ratio stays the same regardless of the initial balance ($1000 versus $2000) on a card. However the interest/balance ratio increases SIGNIFICANTLY as the interest rate increases.

1) Pay off card 4 as soon as possible, then 3, then 2 and finally 1.

2) If card 1 isn’t maxed out, transfer the balance from card 4, then 3, then 2 to card 1.

3) Repeat until all your balances are on the lowest rate you can possibly get. Some cards offer 0% APR on balance transfers for up to 6 months, some even 12 months (http://www.creditcards.com/balance-transfer.php). Transfer the balances and then lock that card in a drawer and don’t touch it for purchases! Just pay the monthly bills.

4) Keep shifting until all is paid down.

5) Don’t get yourself into that mess again. If you don’t have the money in the bank the moment when you make the purchase… YOU CAN’T AFFORD IT!

Any little change will make a huge difference in your life. You work hard for your money, don't waste it on credit card companies.

Dave Ramsey however recommends the dept snowball. Paying off your dept starting from the smallest amount and working your way up to the largest amount. If you need more information about how to pay off your dept as fast as possible, his The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness is a great read.