Business & Personal Finance

Are you looking for ways to save money on every day items? Saving doesn't have to be time-consuming and the rewards can really pay-off. The key is not to get discouraged and to remember that saving money takes time.

Here are some great tips to help you get started:

1. Get rid of your second car and use a car-sharing service like Zipcar or Autoshare.  This can save you approximately $500 per month and save the environment at the same time.

2. Don't forget to fill out those rebate forms.  Some people find it too much work to find the receipt and UPC and then mail everything before the deadline. The best thing to do is not  procrastinate and fill out the form immediately to take advantage of the savings.

3. Pay your bills on time.  If you miss a credit card payment, for example, you have to pay a late fee and that's money wasted!  You can'track your bills at free budgeting sites like Mint.com where you can set up payment alerts.

4. Save money on your home and car insurance. Shop around for the best rates or raise your deductible from the standard $500 to $1000. This is an easy way to save $200 or more per year on premiums.

5. Bring your spending under control.  Track your spending, including your morning coffee and muffin and then develop a spending plan.  If you need help seek credit counselling with a non-profit organization like Credit Canada which can help you with your debt management.

6. Stop using credit cards. If you pay cash/debit for everything  you won't have to deal with that scary credit card statement every month. When paying with cash you always know how much money you actually have.

7. Borrow books. Go to your local library and borrow some books to find out how to save even more money!