Financial Cookie Jar

Right now times are tough for just about everyone. Who isn’t looking for a way to save money? CNN posted an article called “3 Ways to Save Money This Spring,” and reminded us that it is possible to do things on a budget. Here are some ideas from the article with a few of our own added in.

Travel on the Cheap

As the Caribbean spring break comes to an end at the beginning of April, it is easier and easier for you to find cheap travel deals. How do you find those deals? Sign up for airline and hotel programs that offer discounts and reward points (try this site for several worth your time), sign up for emails, and keep an eye on flight booking sites like airfairwatchdog.com and kayak.com. Other sites to check out include smartertravel.com and onetravel.com.

But, don’t stop saving when you book your tickets. While on the road, save money by doing things like eating the continental breakfast at your hotel, stocking up on snacks from the grocery store instead of eating out for every meal, shopping around for souvenirs to find the best price, and taking advantage of things like senior, student and military discounts.

Don’t Withhold More For Taxes Than You Need To

Lots of people are unknowingly having too much withheld from their paychecks. Fixing this means a little extra each pay period you didn’t realize you had. Grab your last pay stub and tax return and head over to the withholding calculator at irs.gov, learn how to fill out your W-4 and then ask your payroll department to make any necessary adjustments.

Get Creative With Your Flexible Spending Account

Lots of employers let their employees use their previous year’s flexible spending account until March 15. Take advantage of this by spending it on things you wouldn’t normal think to spend it on: contact-lens solution, home pregnancy tests, acupuncture and more. Go to fsafeds.com for a list of things you may have never realized you can use your flexible spending account for.