Saving additional money each month is really about discovering where you're paying too much for goods and services. Once you know where your money is going, it's easy to find ways to make small adjustments that really add up.

Look first at reducing your spending in discretionary categories – such as eating out, lunch, entertainment, clothing, and personal items – can often be reduced. If you cut a little in each area, you likely won't feel the pinch, but you can still make a difference in the big picture.

Here are a few examples of how you can save:

• If there are magazines that you pick up every month, it may be wiser to pay the subscription price. Subscriptions are often far less expensive, especially for items such as magazines, newspapers, etc.
• Take advantage of double and triple coupons. Likewise, watch for inventory reduction sales or buy the store brand – this can often save you a bundle on groceries. Some additional ideas for smarter shopping can be found on .
• Get free shipping with purchases online, or additional savings on products purchased in your local stores, by using printable coupons found online. Find them at sites such as: coolsavings.com or specialoffers.com. In some cases you can even get free samples sent to your home… free is the best discount!
• Join a babysitting co-op or better yet swap nights with family or friends. You get a night out and so do they. It's a win-win situation! Plus its pretty simple – chose a night that you want to go out for your 'date night' and have a friend or family member do the same. On your night, simply drop the kids off at the cousins or friend's house to play while you go out for a few hours of quality adult time. On their night, the cousins or friends will come to your house to play while your family or friend goes out with their spouse or friends. Since you're saving on the cost of a babysitter, you can even order dessert!
• Switch to a lower cost cellular phone plan. Shared family minutes can be a great deal for some households. For others, free long distance is a better way to go.
• Carpool or consolidate errands to cut down on extra gasoline expenses; When you do buy gas, do it in the middle of the week, at a gas station that has competition close by.
• Stock up at holiday and back-to-school sales for things you know your kids and family will need throughout the year.
• Get rid of old appliances that may be draining your electricity. Get energy star appliances that use less electricity. In the long run you will save money and help the environment at the same time.
• Install thermostats that are programmable. Turn down the A/C or furnace while you are not home. If you set the thermostat back to your preferred temperature a half hour before you return home, you won't notice the temperature change but you will notice the reduced bill!
• Unplug appliances that may drain electricity while not in use… hair dryers, curling irons, irons, electric razors, etc. These small appliances drain electricity even when you are not using them. Make sure you unplug them when not in use, or even plug them into a power strip that you can easily unplug when you are finished using them.

Break out of this pattern by creating a spending plan using the principles of cash flow management and the traditional envelope budgeting method. Save for future expenses and emergencies. Set aside funds before spending is required. Spend from what is left in each spending category. Know exactly how much is left and how long it has to last. You can even use a spending management application such as Mvelopes® Personal, which automates this process for you.

For a step-by-step process of how to make an effective spending plan, go to youngmoney.mvelopes.com for more information about Mvelopes® Personal. An online budgeting system, Mvelopes® Personal is quickly becoming one of the hottest budgeting Web applications on the market. In2M has successfully marketed this budgeting service in all 50 states and in seven countries worldwide. Thousands of users are praising its capabilities for helping them achieve financial freedom.