Stefanie is a staff writer here at See Debt Run, and also writes on her own site “The Broke and Beautiful Life“.

Hello “See Debt Run” readers!  I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself by sharing some of my day to day strategies for saving Money.  Some of these you’ve probably heard before, others may be new, some you may be doing already, and others might not be for you.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that personal finance is truly “personal”.  We’ve all got different ways of prioritizing and shaping our Financial Future.  My goal here will be to give you a variety of options and tools to consider so you can pick and choose which strategies work best for you.

And with that, let’s get started with my 10 Everyday Ways to save money.

1.    Stock Up on Socks and Underwear.  Spending time and money going to the Laundromat is something I like to avoid as much as possible.  To make my wardrobe stretch, I re-wear staples like jeans and jackets and stock up on the items I need to change every day like socks and underwear.  With a full drawer dedicated to these every day essentials, I only have to do my laundry once a month.

 2.    Cut back on primping.  I work in the entertainment industry so I appreciate the importance of appearance, but I am not willing to drop over $100 every four to six weeks to get my hair trimmed and my roots done.  Simple techniques like waiting an additional few weeks between haircuts or painting your own nails can save you hundreds every year.

 3.    Learn.  Everything I know about saving and making money I learned at some point from somewhere.  Continuing to read and stay tuned in to the latest information is critical.  If you know the fair price of an item, you won’t allow yourself to be scammed.  If you understand how to use your credit card effectively you can wind up getting cash back rather than paying interest.  If you learn how to invest wisely, you can grow your money rather than losing it to inflation.

 4.    No pets.  I can barely afford to pay my own rent, buy my own food, and purchase my own healthcare let alone provide all that for an animal.   I also never want to be faced with the decision of splurging to treat a pet’s unexpected medical condition or letting it die.

 5.    Netflix.  A 3-D movie in New York City can cost $18!  The “regular” price is still somewhere around $12.  I’ll trade three movie nights for a chance to go see a Broadway show instead.  In the meantime, I’m a Netflix junkie.  At $7.99 a month, with all the amazing new series’, and instant accessibility, I’m happy to stay in.

 6.    Use Your Freebies. I always do my best to utilize freebies and items built into the price of a purchase.   For instance, when I stay at a hotel, I’ll pack up the complimentary shampoos and conditioners each night so I get new ones when they clean the room in the morning.  Now I have a stockpile of practically new travel sized soaps for future camping trips and family visits.

 7.    No processed foods.  I don’t care to spend my hard earned money on the long-term health consequences of a poor diet.

8.    Run.  A membership to New York Sports Club costs $80/month.  I’d much rather enjoy a long run in the sun along the Hudson River than stare at a screen on the treadmill.  Plus it’s free and my running comes with me wherever I go!

 9.    Bike.  While I enjoy running for fitness, I’ve taken to biking for transportation.  In the past 6 months, I’ve saved over $600 by not having to buy a monthly metro card or drive a car.

 10.  Pick and choose.  More than anything, I believe in moderation.  I don’t want to deprive myself of the occasional Starbucks and dinners out just to save a couple of bucks here and there.  Maybe you don’t want to deprive yourself of having a pet or going to the movies.  Like I said, it’s personal.    The important thing is to recognize those indulgences for what they are and make sure they don’t become regular occurrences that interfere with your ability to create a secure Financial future.