9 Tricks to Spend Your Money Smarter

Stop throwing everything away. Scraps of color construction paper let over from kiddie craft time? Use it in your scrap book. Torn paper makes scrapbook pages look less flat. Did you have extra dye left over from dying Easter Eggs? Get your old white shirts and Tie Dye them with the leftover egg dye. There are lots of fun ways to recycle your old stuff into new fun stuff. Before you throw it away, try to reuse it!

Buy rechargeable batteries. Instead of paying $5-$15 for a pack of batteries every week or month. Spend $10-$15 once. Rechargeable batteries last longer in electronics like digital cameras, PSP's, and more. Not only are you saving money in the long run, but you are also saving the environment.

It's Friday night and you want to go see a movie. Instead of going to the theater, where a ticket can cost $6 or more per ticket and popcorn and a soda will run you about $15. Gather your friends, and go rent a movie. With the money you are saving you could even rent an extra movie and get snacks!

Shopaholic? Take up a part-time job at your favorite department store. Most department stores give a generous employee discount ranging from 10%-25% off merchandise. Use the money you making working part-time to pay for your new clothes. No money saved, but much less is spent!

Don't be afraid to buy generic. Name brands are not always the better brands. Shop around at the grocery store to see which brand is better, taste and price wise. Same with clothes. Don't be afraid to shop at Payless or Wal-Mart. Same great clothes and shoes for a much better price.

Hit the holiday sales. Buy your Christmas crafts and decorations the week after Christmas. To ensure great savings, go the day after Christmas. The same applies to all the holidays; Easter, Memorial Day, the 4^th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving. If you buy decorations for ANY holiday, buy them a day or two after. The savings will blow your mind.

Keep a change jar. Everyday when you get home, throw all of your lose change into a jar. Every time the jar gets full, roll the change and take it to the bank. You can put this new found money into savings or go shopping. It is money already spent, according to your budget. Spend it however you want!

Timing is everything. Most department stores will also have great sales on clothes for the entire family during a lot of the Holidays and every change of season. The weather changing from cold to warm is a great reason to buy a new wardrobe. Back-to-school time is also a great time to go clothing shopping. Need a new bathing suit? Buy one at the end of summer. They are much cheaper!

Shop smart. A sale does not always mean is it is the best buy. A $300 purse at 50% off is still $150.