The July 2008 issue of Real Simple® magazine offered a helpful checklist of everyday cost-cutting strategies. Get even more bang for your buck and keep more cash in your pocket with these additional tips:

  • FOOD: Make your own lunch. If mornings and evenings are too hectic at home, consider storing essentials such as deli meat, bread, condiments or bagged lettuce at the office. Take a break just before noon to prepare your meal and start unwinding from your morning's work.
  • HEALTH & BEAUTY: Go generic. At the doctor's office, ask your physician to prescribe you the generic medication if possible, or inquire about potential over-the-counter substitutes. At the pharmacy, compare the store-brand labels with the brand-names of products like facial cleanser, moisturizer and ibuprofen. Usually the only difference is price.
  • CABLE: Take a closer look at the channels you currently subscribe to and assess what is really necessary. Consider canceling a pricey premium channel you barely watch and just renting (or in some cases, ordering on demand) movies or sporting events when it suits your schedule. Call your cable provider — when threatened with cancellation or service changes, they may come up with some surprise discounts just to keep your business.
  • GYM/HEALTH CLUB: Whether it's a busy season at work or you've been taking advantage of the outdoors, consider putting your membership "on hold" if your attendance has been waning for a specific reason. Though not widely publicized, many gyms and health clubs will let you freeze your membership, allowing you to pay a nominal fee instead of the full monthly cost.
  • TAXES: Make sure you're making full use of your available deductions, starting with your home. This helpful article will help you get started.
  • UTILITIES: Keep electric and water bills at bay by keeping up with home maintenance. Drippy faucets and leaky toilets can waste thousands of gallons of water (and lots of your hard-earned cash) a year. Clogged heating/cooling vents and refrigerator coils force systems to work harder, sending energy costs soaring. Do a routine inspection and/or cleaning of all of the above 3-4 times a year to maximize efficiency.
  • BANKING: Purchase checks from online discounters instead of your bank and pay half the price. Switch to online bill paying and use fewer checks overall, plus save money on stamps!
  • REWARDS: Use a credit card to earn rewards on your everyday purchases!

Learn how to do even more with your money every day — visit Discover EDGE. This new online resource offers the inside track on making your money go further, with expert advice on everything from shopping to travel to home.