The key to any successful personal budget is knowing when it's time to start trimming the fat and focusing on the essentials. The hard is part learning where that fat is. Sure, activities such as spending $75 on dining out, paying $40 for a movie at the theater (without extra butter), and picking up a specialty coffee on the way to work are easy to identify, but what about the hidden expenses that are paid out of routine habit? We can overlook so many opportunities to cut expenses every day that are right under our noses if we open ourselves to the idea that they exist. Turning lights off when not in use, avoiding lengthy showers, shutting down the faucet when brushing those pearly whites, and closing the refrigerator door while making a sandwich takes very little effort to do. There's no special equipment to buy, no handyman changes to make that could blow a circuit breaker, and there's zero risk of flooding the basement. We can save money AND the environment at the same time. How's that for savings? There are many more money saving opportunities that I've employed in my home over the years, and I challenge myself to come up with even more as the years continue whizzing by. I'll list more of what I've come up with in due time. Until then, see what you can do on your own and let me know what they are. I'm always eager to learn and save even more!