Believe it or not, the holidays are just around the corner. If you haven’t done so already, now is a great time to start Saving for upcoming expenses we incur with Holiday shopping. Saving Money ahead of time can help you from overspending or racking up credit card debt. Here are 7 easy ways to Start Saving Money now to help pay for the holiday expenses later.

1. Reexamine your auto/home insurance.  Take this time each year to shop auto and home insurances because you may be able to find potential savings with a competitor. Also talk with your agents to see if you are receiving all of their offered discounts.
2. Make it a triple play. For some, internet, cable and phone services make up one of the largest monthly expenses. Most major providers offer discounts for bundling all three services. Call to have your services bundled so you can see some savings.
3. Get cash back. If you have good credit then think about opening a credit card with cash back rewards. Only use it for monthly expenses that you can pay off each month and reap your cash back rewards.

4. Make your home more energy efficient. Electricity is a necessity and with that comes a monthly electricity bill. By making your home more Energy Efficient through sealing gaps, installing CFL lights, etc. you can Save Money on your monthly electricity bills. Check out “Preparing Your  Home for Fall: A Guide for Energy Efficiency and Saving Money” article for more information on how to make your home more energy efficient this fall.

5. Shop the grocery store sales. The cost of groceries can be another large expense. Instead of planning your weekly meals from a cookbook, save money by planning them based on what’s on sale that week.

6. Bring your lunch to work. Bringing your lunch not only helps you save money each week, but it can also be healthier for you. So you can start the holiday season out right by looking good and saving money!

7. D.I.Y. Repairs. When something breaks, the first instinct is to call a professional. Thanks to Google and YouTube, you don’t have to do that every single time. You can typically find “how to” videos and blogs on those sites to guide you through fixing the problem yourself thus saving a good chunk of change.

How would you recommend that people Start Saving money now in hopes of paying for increased holiday expenses in the future?

Holiday Gift Shopping image courtesy of Ben Lucier.

CFL Light Bulb image courtesy of Nioxxe.

Lunch at Work image courtesy of Dave Clausen.