We could do with some extra money these days. Here we will explore 5 money saving tips that will help you keep some cash.

1) Recreation vs. Entertainment

There are alternative ways to keep you entertained besides going to the movies, concerts and theme parks. These entertainments can be expensive and last for a couple of hours. Instead, choose activities like camping, going to the beach, skating or get a low cost hobby.

2) Use the Library

Instead of going to the movies or renting DVD movies, you can go to your public library and borrow them. Also, check out books at the library instead of buying it at the local bookstore. You can use the library to browse magazines as well. This will save you around $10 – $30.

3) Avoid the mall

This may sound unreasonable for many people. However, if you want to save money, this is truly one of the best ways to do it. Most of the time, we buy things that we want, not need. By going to the mall, we often end up buying more things than we have set out for. Buy only when you really need it. You will thank your credit card bill a month later.

4) Skip the gourmet

You may not be aware of it but skipping 2 lattes a week can save you $24! Be moderate with your splurge on food. This is especially true when it comes to things like pizza delivery, gourmet deli, etc. This does not mean that you have to give up all your favorite food. Instead reduce the frequency of consuming them. For example, instead of having latte everyday, you can try to alternate with regular coffee. The key here is moderation. At the same time, you will probably end up with a trimmer body too.

When it comes to saving money, make it realistic and achievable. You can set mini goals and try to accomplish that on a timed basis. You will be glad to have money saved.

Here are the six easiest ways for saving money every day of your life. No, you won’t be required to rob a bank or steal some gas. You just have to commit to these six simple ways. The trick with saving money is changing your buying habits. These six steps show you the new habits you must adopt to save money each day.

1. This might sound crazy, but DON’T CARRY CASH. If I gave you a five dollar bill, I guarantee you’ll have it spent in a day. Why? You spend because you have the money with you. You might spend it on coffee or a snack or something not food related at all such as a magazine. However, if you don’t have the cash, you’ll stop those small-item impulse purchases.

2. DON’T BUY THAT TODAY! I agree everybody should have a super deluxe sparkly whatever. The question you need to ask yourself is DO -I- NEED THAT? This isn’t a question that gets answered in the shopping aisle. It gets answered in the next day or two. Guess what, most people find the next day that don’t need the item and are glad they didn’t buy it. You’ve just saved money by not buying something you had convinced yourself you needed!

3. BORROW RATHER THAN BUY. This goes for opting for the public library over the movie rental store. Borrow a step ladder to clean your gutters if you only use it once a year. Everybody has extra stuff they aren’t using it. Borrow from your friends and neighbors. Look how many items you’ve bought and only used once! Don’t waste you money like that. Borrow it!

4. DON’T PLAY THE LOTTERY. You’re thinking a dollar here and a dollar there isn’t a big deal. Be honest, do you ever buy just one ticket? Buying three a week is $156 a year. Scratch-off cards can run as high as $10 to $20 a piece. The odds aren’t in your favor for winning the lottery or the scratch-offs. Save that money for other things.

5. Don’t hate me for suggesting this…CHANGE YOUR HOBBY. Growing up, my main hobby was fishing. The cost of $15 per year for a license and money for occasional new fishing lures was easily under $75 dollars a year. Later in life, I started playing golf. I could blow $75 in one weekend playing golf. Calculate that out to 20 games a year and that’s $1500. Look at your hobbies and see if you need to find something more inline with your income.

6. DON’T SPEND WHAT YOU SAVE! I can easily tell myself that because I saved $10 on a shirt, I can spend that money on something else. WRONG! Saving money means s-a-v-i-n-g m-o-n-e-y. If I save $10 on a shirt, I now have more money for paying off my credit card debt, more money for groceries, and more money for paying my utility bills.

Every item in this list will help you save money. The more you can cut your spending, the more money you can save for retirement, pay down on debt, and save for a vacation.

Everybody has probably had them, noisy neighbors that is. Just as you are going to sleep they are starting the party. Or maybe they just have a loud dog or are just plain inconsiderate. The good news is that you have options in dealing with this situation beyond having to confront the person or put up with it.

1. CHECK YOUR LOCAL ORDINANCES

Get a copy of your local noise laws. Most cities and counties have ordinances that control the times, types and loudness of noise. For example, many local ordinances prohibit unreasonable vehicle noise (like honking the car horn early every morning for a carpool) or dogs barking all night long every night. noisy neighbors are in for a warning or even a fine. You can look up your local ordinance at city hall, a public law library or the public library. Make at least two copies of it, one for your neighbor and one for yourself.

2. WARN YOUR NEIGHBOR IN WRITING

If things don’t improve, ask your neighbor to tone it down. If this doesn’t work, put it in writing. Don’t make threats, but state that if the situation doesn’t improve you’ll be forced to notify the authorities. Enclose a copy of the noise ordinance. Keep a copy of your letter; you’ll need it if, as a last resort, you later sue your neighbor.

3. SUGGEST MEDIATION

Most cities offer free or low-cost mediation services, which means they provide an impartial mediator who will sit down with you and your neighbor and try to help you resolve your differences.

Just call the mediation service; someone there will contact the neighbor and suggest mediation. (These people are very good at convincing others to give mediation a chance.)

4. CALL THE POLICE

If you have done all of the above and your neighbor has responded by turning up the volume, now is the time to call the police (or the Animal Control officer if the problem is a barking dog). Try to get the police to come while the noise is occurring.

Of course, you can call the police on a noisy neighbor the first time the music gets too loud for your taste. But the police will be more sympathetic to your situation if they see that you have tried to solve the problem on your own.

If you are somebody who doesn’t want confrontation, here are some other tips to help you survive the noise:

1. Use white noise: White noise such as a fan or something that produces an even sound will help distract your attention from the noise and often help you go to sleep.

2. Soundproof your home. There are many professionals who can help you soundproof your home in a way that is efficient and effective.

3. Use earplugs. This may be your last resort before approaching your neighbor but for many people it works.