When you go through a financial crunch, it is very important that you focus on how to save money. During such a time, every penny you spend holds more value than it once did. Keep a record of all your expenses on a weekly or monthly basis as per your convenience, and then carefully analyze these expenses and prioritize them based on the most important, to the least. You will find that some expenses are unavoidable and therefore cannot be compromised on. However, there are other expenses like electricity, grocery, and phone bills, that can be considerably reduced with wise planning and budgeting. Electricity Bills Because we are highly dependent on various electrical appliances in our homes, our electricity bills are constantly high. Make it a habit to turn off the lights whenever you exit a room, even if you are leaving it for just a few minutes. You can save a lot of money if you keep certain appliances that are not in use, either switched off from the main power source or unplugged. This is because some of the appliances still use small amounts of electrical currents, even when they are not in use. This constant flow of electricity adds up a little a day, thus resulting in a heavy monthly bill. Let's take a look at how you can save money on other expenses. Grocery Bills Saving money on your grocery bills, does not mean that you have to compromise on the quality of the food you buy. Prepare a list of items that are essential, and stick to buying them. In the absence of such a list, we end up buying a lot of things on a whim, especially things we don't need. Avail of grocery coupons that come with the morning newspaper or at the grocery store, and you will be able to save some money with the discounts. Some convenience stores issue discount cards with which you can buy your groceries; take advantage of special offers too. Another money saving tip is to buy larger packs of non-perishable food, so that they last longer. Even for household cleaning products and the like, you can do the same and save a significant amount of money. The price on a larger product is a tad cheaper when bought in a bulkier size. Phone Bills A phone is an integral part of our everyday life; you need it to keep in touch with your friends, co-workers, and family, as well as in emergent situations. Cutting costs can be a little harder here, but it is nonetheless possible. You can cut down all those unnecessary phone services like voice mail, call waiting, etc. if you do not need them. Avoid using any costly services that charge you extra, and you will find that you end up spending way less than usual. The cost of calling someone who isn't in the same city/country, can be expensive. For this reason, you can make those calls during a time in the day when they're cheaper, like in the nights, over the weekend, or during those particular hours when calls are free. There are also family-calling plans that offer a discount on call rates to a specifically-chosen numbers or regions. If you have to call a company, use their toll free number if they have one. Expenses that arise from using a cellular phone are higher compared to land line bills, therefore, make sure to choose the right plan that suits your requirements, with cheap SMS bundle packages and a reasonable internet plan. You need not be a money management expert to understand these ways on how to save money. You can avoid other unnecessary expenses like shopping when you don't have to, and buying products because the packaging design beckons and tempts. Avoid eating at restaurants too (limit it to once a week, like on Sundays), and learn how to prepare your own meals at home using wholesome, reasonably-priced produce. As you get into the habit of saving and investing your hard-earned money, you'll find how easy it is to get by. Seek financial advice from a professional if you really think you need a second opinion and more help.