It is 2016 and this year my goal is to save up and finally get a proper vacation. So, in an effort to find the best way to cut some corners and save my extra cash, I thought I would share my findings with you. We all know that finding bargains, discounts, and sale items are key to making sure you are getting the best deal in your shopping, but what about other ways to help save money that doesn’t include stalking your favorite retailer? There are a ton of ways to save money, but I can’t cover them all so I will share some that have proven lucrative for me and were easy to follow.
Budget, Budget, Budget
One of the easiest ways to keep track of your money flow is to make a budget. 
So many people overlook this powerful tool to maintain your books and see where exactly you are spending your money. You don’t have to create a comprehensive business plan for this to be successful. Simply jot down your main bills that are recurring each month, then focus on your extracurricular spending. This is where you will find the best opportunity to save money.
Movie Night
If you are like me, then when the mood strikes, you want fast entertainment. 
Instead of loading up and hitting the local movie theater, why not check out a local Red Box? Red Box is a cheap alternative to renting movies while still offering the newest of movie selections and titles. If you are looking to save even more money, then check out your local library. Many libraries offer movie rentals with their membership giving you a night of free entertainment!
Do it Online
Have you ever considered how much money you can save by paying your bills online? If you think about it, with the costs of envelopes, stamps, and gas, you can save quite a bit of money by simply clicking a button at home when paying your bills. Next time you have a bill to pay, instead of writing out your return envelope, try logging into their website to see if they offer online bill pay.
Become a Chef
I tracked my take out and restaurant costs one month and almost gagged at how much money I was spending on food. The average fast food ticket was running me anywhere from $6 to $10. For fast food! 
Toss in an occasional restaurant and I was spending way more than I needed on food. Instead of going out to eat, why not find simple, fast and cheap recipes to cook at home? You don’t have to be a sous chef to enjoy great tasting foods and with so many tasty recipes out there, there is no reason you have to go hungry.
Free Entertainment
Did you know that many of your local museums and venues offer free admission days? I found that with a little research, I could plan quite a few activities including gallery shows, cultural institution visits, outdoor festivals and so much more. You don’t have to always cough up an admission fee if you know where to look. Get out there and explore! You will be surprised at how many free activities you can find in your area.
Saving money is hard to do. Not because you can’t but because most of us don’t really take the time to understand what we are spending our money 
on, or how much we are spending. With a proper budget and some creative thinking, you can find the right balance of fun entertainment while still saving up for your dream vacation in 2016!
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