I've cut back on eating out, but mostly the mundane kind - lunches, fast food, buying food because I'm too lazy to cook. I save a lot by packing lunch from home and making big dinners that I can either take for lunch another day or eat again another night. As for more expensive eating out I still do it, but less frequently.

Cable/satellite are a huge waste, in my opinion. So much TV is available online if you can stand watching it a day later, and cable shows can be rented through Netflix.

DD: Thanks Laya. Anyone else?

I've cut back a lot:
-- No more tanning booth
-- Downsized gym membership to one that is only $10/month
-- Make coffee every day at home rather than buy cups out
-- Get most meals from the grocery store (cereal; frozen lunch / sandwich; dinner food to cook) rather than eat out
-- Don't drive as much to reduce gas and maintenance needs
-- I've long since switched to basic cable TV service
-- My electronics are plugged into power strips that I turn off when I'm not home
-- I stick with the economy haircutting places as I always have (guys have it easier on this one)

Things I can't cut back:
-- High speed internet...I was doing "high speed lite" but it was too slow, and my time is worth more than the extra cost for full high speed.
-- Mortgage, car payment, student loan payment, BGE - I'm not going to pay any of those late.
-- Home phone line - I lived without one for years, but cell phone reception in my house is shady so I need it so my calls from home aren't choppy.
-- iPhone service - I could live without it, but having the web and email wherever I go is really worth it to me.

As a result of all this cutting back, I'm actually able to regularly put money in my savings account rather than having nothing at the end of the month! It's amazing how cutting back all of the little things really adds up.

DD: Ricky, you're awesome. That's quite a feat there, with the savings. You're definitely inspiring me to do more. Which gym do you belong to that only costs you $10 a month?

I've already cut back a little on going out to eat (or going to cheaper places), new clothes, gifts and vacations.

Considering TV cost cutting.

*sniffle*

DD: It'll be OK, Mary. You will find other ways to get your TV fix!

Ricky's comment made me remember deferrals and such for student loans. I remember a while back, I had major car repairs, and rather than stop paying my student loans, I contacted my lender and made arrangements to not pay for a few months until I was able to afford it. I think you can do that for up to a year. Honestly, I can't remember the difference between a forbearance and a deferral. With one of them, your loan will accrue interest during that time, but it's better than ignoring the bill if you just can't afford it.

DD: Good idea, aeb. Eileen's out this week or else I'd ask her what the difference is... I'll do some research and update this. Don't forget you should look at your insurance and raise your deductibles, too, if you don't really get sick that often or shelling out a little more out of pocket if something goes wrong with the car and home needs.

Everyone listed good tips on saving less monthly. My biggest vice is eating out. I eat out less often now but when I do, I find "budget" meals. TGI Fridays and Ruby Tuesday have meals with smaller portions that still feel you up. I can't give up my cell phones, cable ( I love HBO) even though I rarely watch network tv, and high speed internet. For entertainment, my husband and kids starting staying home and playing board games. Every month or so, we get a new game or puzzle.

DD: Thanks Tierra and it's smart not to deprive yourself of what you love... best to find cheaper ways to continue doing it as your family has done..

Thanks! It's "Planet Fitness" in Glen Burnie (near Ordinance Rd. and Rt. 10) was only $10/month - no contracts to sign - and all brand new equipment. It only has standard fitness equipment though - no pools or instructor-led classes like some other more expensive ones offer.

I just checked their website and it now says $20/month - maybe they'll go back down lower after the holidays, but even if not, $20 is still less than half of what I was paying a couple years ago at a gym in Annapolis.

DD: Good tip for those looking to get healthy, Ricky. I think there's a Planet Fitness in Dundalk, too.

Sometimes I'm afraid my cheap tricks have lead me to spend more money!

I've been avoiding meals out unless it's a bargain of some sort. This week I enjoyed a lovely sushi dinner with friends at a reasonable price, thanks to a discounted Restaurant.com coupon.

To combat the "too tired/busy/hungry to cook" mentality, I finally bought a slow cooker off craigslist, but it hasn't really been the right season for slow-cooker food until recently --- and I'm still on the hunt for some good recipes.

For years I have used my travel coffee mug to drink tea at work, and I have always tried to bring lunch, at times more successfully than others. I'm trying to eat up my groceries --- especially produce --- before they spoil. Seems so simple, but the waste makes me so mad.

I just got paid today and I'm already broke!
This weekend I will be staying at home and doing nothing to avoid spending money. I have stopped by coffee -- even the dollar cups at this shady lil diner by my house. And I just recently cleaned out my closet and plan to sell my clothes, shoes and accessories at a used clothing store and on ebay! I've also put myself on a shopping moratorium! And though I ate a tasty Mexican lunch today, I plan to bring homemade lunches to work all next week! Shopping and food are the things that make me most happy in life! What a drag! I'll give up my cable tv and internet over my dead body!

DD: I know I know. I put myself on a shopping moratorium too!

I stopped driving. I take the bus or walk as much as I can.

I also stopped eating out, especially for lunch. I hate packing lunch because I'm a horrible cook, but now i'm having to.

I'm beginning to wonder whether this is actually saving me money or not tho. Prices at the grocery store for food has gone up substantially. Buying lunch meat and bread and chees and veggies and food containers all seem to add up to a lot!

The hardest thing for me to do was to cut back on coffee. I used to go to Starbucks on a daily basis, maybe even twice a day! Now I'm making coffee at home and carrying my little Aladdin tumbler around EVERYWHERE!

DD: Evan, I'm still not convinced that it costs me less to buy groceries to pack lunch either. Also, food in my fridge spoils too quickly before I can eat it all. I haven't quite figured out the right formula yet.

I have cut back a lot.
** let go of my luxury car for 800 bucks a month.

1. Cut home phone service that I dont use.

2. any auto shipment products for skin care i cut out.

3. no more starbucks. coffee from home is just fine.

4. no more fast food. I rather save all that money that adds up on fast food to do a nice dinner a my favorite pan- asian she she fu fu restaurant.

5. I'm a women we have to shop for clothes or that spells bad mood if we have to were the same clothes for too long. but definitely go the much cheaper route. and Hair salon is a must!

6. thrown out credit cards and only use cash. credit card companies are ruthless

7. purchased cheaper cell phones with flat rate plan. cut out those surprise 200 dollar cell phone bills.

conclusion: teaches me what is really important in life. And when those good times come back dont get carried away and really think about how smart I am going to be with money no matter how much I have.

*88 percent will eat out less
I never eat out

*86 percent will spend less on entertainment
high speed is my only entertainment

*82 percent will spend less on clothes
no new clothes in years

*79 percent will delay major purchases such as cars, electronics and furniture
pfft. Never.

*71 percent will cancel or spend less on vacations
never took a vacation in my life

*41 percent will spend less on food and groceries
This is one place I refuse to cut back. Eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables is mandatory for me.

*32 percent will spend less on mobile phone service
Never had one.

*25 percent will spend less on cable or satellite service
No tv in 10 years

*18 percent will delay paying other bills
Not an option, I pay my bills on time.

*7 percent will delay paying rent or mortgage
I paid off the mortage a long time ago, by making double and triple payments and living frugally.

Am I the only person in the world that lives below my means? The only place to cut back now is food, and I won't do that for health reasons.

DD: Wow, Lily. That's amazing discipline. You're right, I don't know what else you could possibly cut.