Lifestyler: Small Changes to Living Expenses Can Mean Big Savings

When people tell you to cut your living expenses, they typically make grand statements such as "refinance your home" or "find a cheaper apartment to rent". Easier said than done, right?

But there are ways that you can start to cut your expenses without taking such drastic measures. And even though these smart money moves may seem too small to make a difference, you'll be surprised what the long-term savings can be.

1. Stop watching television on the TV and start watching it online. Online sites like Hulu (which is currently free) and even Netflix (which allows you to stream at only $4 a month) are changing the way we get our entertainment. But what about screen visibility? Who wants to watch their favorite evening television on a 13" screen? No one, really. That's why with a simple DIY hookup, you can be watching free television streamed from your computer on your big screen TV. You might be watching the shows a day after they debut on cable, but we think that's a good price to pay for saving $100 a month on cable.
2. Buy fresh produce from green markets. There's usually a green market once a week in every city in the U.S. The Department of Agriculture and Markets in each state will typically have a listing of every green market in their state. Prices at green markets are typically lower, since they're not working with the same overhead as a grocery store. You'll have to adhere to their schedule, meaning that you may have to do your grocery shopping on a Sunday afternoon or a Saturday morning when the green market is open, but it's still a good deal.
3. Use a free service like BillShrink to score better rates on your internet and cell phone bills and credit cards APRs. Most of us pay a hefty monthly fee for our cell phone service. Cutting out small things like internet access or text messaging if you rarely use it can save you some serious cash. In the same way, switching over to a credit card with a 0% introductory rate for a year can be financially beneficial as well--as long as the rate doesn't skyrocket after the introductory period.

What have you done to trim your living expenses? Share your tips in the comments!

Lauren Fairbanks is a Brooklyn-based writer hailing originally from that far away land known as the deep South. She has covered lifestyle, personal finance, career, and small business topics for various print and online publications including AOL, Wise Bread, Young Money, Learn Vest, She Knows, and Eating Well Magazine. She's also the Founder and Editor of LifeStyler - a guide to living in NYC on a budget.