Everyone needs to deal with money. It is important to know how to manage it well in order to make sure that you have enough for expenses. People often do not save enough, thinking that it is too difficult or that they have too many expenses to pay. The fact is, you can always find ways to save money if you put a little effort into it. Here are some suggestions on simple ways to start saving.

Do you ever get change back when you buy something in cash? When you empty your pockets, you may be surprised at how much loose change you have. Get a jar, and start putting all of your loose change in there. Do this for a month, and you will be surprised at how much it can add up.

Avoid spending money on expensive bottled water. Studies have shown that bottled water is not any more pure than what you can get from the tap. In fact, since bottled water is not regulated, its purity and quality are not guaranteed. Tap water is regulated, so you get a better assurance of its purity. Therefore, start drinking tap water instead. Get an aluminum water bottle, and fill it up with tap water to take with you when you go out. The couple of dollars that you save from not buying bottled water can add up to big savings over time.

Meat is probably the most expense food item on your grocery list. You can save a little from your grocery bills if you make a point to go without meat once a week. There are other cheaper sources of protein, like beans and legumes, that can be a nutritious substitute. As long as your diet is balanced over a period of time, skipping meat for one day will make no difference in your overall nutrition, and you can save a little bit of money in your grocery bills.

Gas prices have gone up a lot, and it is getting very expensive to drive. To keep your gas bill down, only drive when you have to. If you have to run errands in your neighborhood, walk to places that are within walking distance, or ride your bike. If you have to drive, try to schedule errands together that are in the same geographic area so that you would not have to drive back and forth.

Another way to save money is to set aside a day when you do not buy anything. It is not as hard as you think. If you are used to buying your lunch, then pack a lunch using what you already have at home. The same mindset should be followed for things like buying coffee or snacks. Make your own coffee and fill a thermos, and bring your own snacks. The little bit of money that you save from these small items can add up to a lot.

Hiring someone to provide a service can be expensive. Depending on what type of help you need, consider learning how to do something instead of hiring someone to do it. For instance, if you usually hire someone to do your taxes, learn to do it on your own by using a tax software. If you tend to call up a handy person to do simple repairs around the house, learn to do some of that yourself.

These are simple things that you can do to save money. Try some of these, and you will be amazed at how much money you can save.