 TITLE: How Much Should You Save Each Month? CONTENT: Ways to Save Every Month\n------------------------\nThere are a number of ways you can save money each month, even if you're just getting started with budgeting.\n1.  Skip takeout. Cooking meals at home costs less than ordering from restaurants, and it can be just as enjoyable. Cooking at home also reduces the chance that perishable groceries, such as fruits and vegetables, will go bad before you use them so you're less likely to have wasted money on those items.\n2.  Consolidate your credit card debt. If you have several high-interest credit cards, your balances could be growing rapidly. Consolidating all of your credit card debt onto one lower-interest credit card or through a lower-interest personal loan allows you to pay off existing debt and focus on making one payment each month while also saving on interest.\n3.  Pay for everything with cash. You don't need to close your credit card accounts—in fact, keeping them open can help your credit score if they help your credit utilization ratio and length of credit history. But paying for goods and services with cash or debit may make you more aware of how much you're spending, since the money comes out of your checking account right away. There's also a natural limitation built in because once you run out of cash, you have to stop spending. Just be sure you carefully monitor your balance to avoid an overdraft.\n4.  Buy secondhand. Purchasing clothes, shoes and even electronics secondhand can help you save a lot of money. If you search online marketplaces, you may even find seller ratings so you know whether the person you're buying from is legitimate and that the products are likely to be good quality.\n5.  Negotiate your bills. If your monthly cable, internet or cell service bills are high, try calling your provider. They may be willing to offer you discounts or special packages that will give you a lower rate, decreasing your monthly expenses.\nShifting a few spending habits and seeking out deals may have a significant impact on your budget. As you find ways to free up more cash, you can adjust your savings targets to set more aside. END