28. Indulge in some afternoon delight. If you can't bear to miss hotly hyped first-run movies, go to a matinee instead. It'll cost a family of four $24. Skip the pricey popcorn and save another $25 on concession stand treats. Do this four times a year and save a $196.
29. Make the library your local entertainment centre. If you usually buy two softcover books a month (at $17 each), rent four videos (at $5 each) and pick up two magazines ($4 each), you can save $744 a year by using your library card instead.
30. Start a babysitting co-op. Exchange babysitting services with friends or fellow parents at your kids' school and save the $6 an hour you'd pay for a teenager to come over while you're out. Even if you only go out twice a month for eight hours in total, you'll save $576 a year.
31. Say it with crayons. Have your kids make homemade birthday cards for the slew of parties they get invited to. (They can do the same for relatives and teachers, too.) If you normally buy 10 cards a year (at $5 each), that's $50 you can pocket.
32. Rethink the fencing lessons. Some kids' lessons and activities can cost $75 a month or more. Look for affordable programs at your local community centre. It can cost $80 a month ($960 a year) for your child to take karate classes at a karate school. A YMCA program can cost as little as $76 for three months ($304 a year). Kick the cost and save $656.
33. Pump it up. If your tires aren't properly inflated, they'll require more energy to roll, which wastes gas. Keep them properly filled and you'll save five per cent on fuel costs. That's another $104 savings on gas.
34. Pitch a tent. When you are planning next summer's vacation, think sleeping bags instead of hotel beds. Campsites are usually about $20 a night compared with a rented room at $130. A two-night getaway under the starry skies will save you $220 if you forgo the fancy suite. Make it a week and your nest egg grows by $770.
35. Give up your gym membership. Hike the local trails or bike or jog around your hood. At $30 a month or more, you'll lighten your financial load by at least $360.
36. Drugstore savvy. Instead of reaching for that brand-name headache remedy or cough syrup, opt for the generic store brand and save about 20 per cent off the price. If you normally buy 10 nonprescription products a year at $8 each, you'll save $16.
37. Up in smoke. If you're one of the 26 per cent of Canadian women who smokes, think about what it's costing you in terms of both your health and your pocketbook. A three-pack-a-week habit burns up $96 a month, or $1,152 a year.
38. Fill 'er up. Self-serve gas stations are about five per cent cheaper than full serves. If you spend $40 a week on gas ($2,080 a year), you'll keep an extra $104 in your pocket by zipping up your parka, getting out of the car and lifting that nozzle and filling the tank yourself.
39. Skip the car wash. Break out a bucket and rags and give the minivan a scrub down yourself and save $10 a month, or $120 a year.
40. Save big on car insurance. Increase your deductible from $250 to $500, bundle your auto and home insurance with one insurance company, drop collision and/or comprehensive insurance (only on much older vehicles) and check to see if you are eligible for discounts for low-mileage, airbags, antitheft devices, etc. You could save as much as 35 per cent ($450) on a $1,500 policy.
TOTAL SAVINGS: $15,659
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