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With America poised on the brink of what is called a double dip recession, many Brentwood residents may be faced with once again with reevaluating their spending habits. Here are some small money saving tips that may be a big help, in the long run:

Outline a Budget

Okay Brentwood, let’s get real: how much money do you think you need to survive? Make a list of monthly expenses and be as detailed as possible. If you are carrying credit card debt, consider shifting it to a 0 balance transfer card and paying it off as quickly as possible. Squirrel away every cent you can into a big savings account and forget about it. Leave it alone until you really need it. Think of it as the metaphorical mattress…made of iron.

Cut the Cable

Do you seriously need all those premium channels? Do you watch most of them? Trimming down your TV services can save a bulging bundle each month. What about your cell phone; are you using all your minutes or can you downsize your plan? Shaving off just a few dollars from each bill can make all the difference.

Ditch those High-maintenance Duds

Stick anything with a “dry clean only” tag in the back of your closet and forget about it until the economy’s pulse picks up. Stick to wearing clothes that can be easily and less expensively cleaned. Save $3 - $5 at the Laundromat by bringing your damp clothes home to air dry instead of using their dryers on-site. You may think “so what” but believe you me; those dollars go far and fast.

Be Smarter About What You Spend on Food

Stock up on staples once a month and buy perishables on an as-needed basis. Use coupons and keep an eye on supermarket circulars for in-store sales. Bring your lunch to work, eat out once a week or less and skip the snacks – unless you bring them from your home. If you are using credit cards at the supermarket, be sure to pay off your balance each and every month.

Lay Off the Lattes

Or, if you can’t make it through the day without a coffee or tea, make your own at home and bring it with you in a reusable thermos. You will be surprised by how much you save!

It’s important to pay attention to all the small stuff when it comes to spending, because that’s what makes the biggest difference, at the end of that long day. So c’mon Brentwood! We can do this! Making a few precautionary monetary adjustments now, may just make your life a bit easier in the financially uncertain future. It might be the right umbrella to have over your head.