THIS YEAR FIND AN EXTRA 15K

These days, it seems everyone could use a few extra dollars. Did you know there might be a cache of cash in your budget?

Savings are adding up: U.S. Personal Savings reach the highest level in more than 15 years

With recent economic uncertainty, Americans are focused on spending less and saving more. The U.S. Personal Savings rate recently jumped to 6.9 pecent, the highest rate since 1993. This is a dramatic increase from recent years as teh savings rate sunk below zero at times and lingered below 1 percent from 2005 to 2007, and the skyrocketing home prices and stable market led to an inflated sense of security of future financial sustainability.

Thirty Percent of consumers failed to apply for product rebates...Twenty-one percent of those who did apply never received a rebate (turned down due to technicality or didn't follow up).

Her are some ways you can stash more cash in 2010:

Property Tax Adjustment, bundle Home and Auto Insurance, select a higher deductible for higher Home and Auto Insurance, bundle cable phone and internet, reevaluate your mobile phone plan, maintain bank account and avoid fees, put money into savings, save your loose change, use a flexible spending account, bring lunch to work, eat out two fewer times a month, pass on the beverages while dining out, bottle your own water, brew coffee at home vs. stopping at a coffee shop, buy what's on sale at the grocery store, use coupons at the grocery store and while dining out, buy at the dollar store instead of the drug store or the convenient store, carpool to work, slow down and save gas, change your own car oil, air dry clothes instead of using a dryer, lower the temperature of your water heater, lower/raise your thermostat, save water by turning off the tap, skip the pet groomer: save money and bond with Fido, buy generic vs. brand name pet food, hold off on the released flicks, skip the popcorn at the movies, exercise at home or outside instead of at the gym, mani/pedi at home vs. salon, extend hair salon visits to every eight weeks vs. six weeks, cancel magazine subscriptions, negotiate the price on a car, sell unused household items, donate household items, maximize all tax deductibles, find unclaimed money.

Julie Corrado

Century 21 Alaimo & Corrado

JulieCorrado@aol.com