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Groceries.  We all need to eat, but that doesn't mean we have to spend a lot of money at the grocery store.

Here are a few tips to try and minimize the hurt your wallet can take on groceries and hopefully they can help you spend less.

1. If you don't have much time to shop, use what little you have to get it done. The less time you have to stroll the aisles, the less you pick off the shelves.

2. Make a list of what you need for the upcoming week based off what you plan to cook and stick to it. This will also keep you from overspending.

3. Buy some of your items in bulk. You can find good deals on some of your regular items by buying them in bulk as opposed to one at a time.

4. Take a little time on Sundays and clip coupons only for the items you either buy on a regular basis or for what you may need. Don't clip coupons just for the sake of thinking you may want that item in the future.

5. Buy produce at a farmers market. This can save you a lot compared to what you pay at a store and you can get a lot more. If you don't have a real need for it, you shouldn't buy it.

6. Don't scoff at generics. You can save upwards of around $1.00 or more per generic item vs. namebrand. Also, many generics taste just as good, and are just as healthy as namebrands.

Mortgage.  If you're houses value hasn't depriciated to the point where it's worth less than what you owe. Take a look to see if you can refinance to get a lower interest rate and lower monthly payments.

Many lenders are more than willing to bend over backward to get you the best rate to make it worthwhile to lower your monthly payments and maximize on knocking down more of the principle.

Also, ask about paying your points up front and possibly getting some cash back in the end. You can use that money to fix those nagging problems around the house, or put it away for a rainy day.

Banking.  Avoid overdraft fees at all costs! This is the easiest to give up money and it will mostly be your fault. By taking the time to balance your checkbook, or keep tabs on your spending, you can easily keep yourself from crossing that dreaded line.

It really only takes a little discipline, but it's something essential. It will also keep you in the good graces of your bank. Bad banking practices can also negatively affect your credit score, keeping you from getting good rates on loans.

Want to try and save a little more? Don't bother with a standard bank saving account.

Trust in the Internet and you will find some of the highest interest rates on savings accounts online. Online banks can afford to give rates as much as 3X higher than that of brick-and-mortar banks, putting more money into your account.

How can they do this, you ask? They don't have all of costs of operation that a brick-and-mortar bank does.

The best example I can give is a grocery store that does not allow the use of credit cards. By doing this, they can affordably lower their prices on products. In this case, Internet banks can increase their percentage rates on their accounts.

If you're looking for an account with a low, or no, opening deposit amount, check out Ally Bank or ING.

As of now, Ally offers $0 to open, no minimum amount required and a rate at 1.29%. ING is $250 to open with a $25 bonus, no minimum amount required and a rate of 1.10%.

Take advantage of your banks online bill pay to save money by not buying envelopes and stamps to mail in payments.

Auto Insurance.  There is a fairly good chance you may be paying too much for your auto insurance. Look over your policy and see what you're paying for.

Next, call your insurance carrier and ask what hidden discounts you may qualify for. Many people don't know how many discounts are actually out there and you may qualify for some of them.

Some examples of these discounts would be;

• Being a senior citizen.
• Various safety features on your car.
• Being a member of a professional organization.
• Combining coverages.

Look at the possiblity of getting a higher deductible to have a lower rate. Or, if you're car is older, just go with basic coverage.

If you happen to be paying for roadside assistance, you may be paying a little extra for that, too. Think back to how many times, or ever, you used it.

Don't be afraid to ask these questions. Your agent won't have any problem trying to accomadate you to keep your business.

If you feel you're still not getting an affordable rate, compare what you have now with other companies. You may be surprised how much you can save yearly with another company. If you're interested, NetQuote.com is easy to use and shows many different rates.

Home.  You may not know it, but your house is a giant vacuum for sucking up your money! With any cracks or openings around windows and doors, your heat in the winter and cool air in the summer is literally going out the window.

Taking the time to seal up any cracks with weather stripping keeps your air in the house and money in your pocket.

Once a year, have your ducts and vents vacuumed. By having this done, your air flows more and easier throughout your house.

What may seem like an expensive project initially, insulating your home will repay what you spent for the project in time. By doing this, you don't need to run your furnace or air conditioner as much, saving money on your heating and cooling bills.

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