9 money saving tips for '09

Planning ahead and making smart choices is the advice dietitians have been giving us for years to slim our waistlines. When your budget needs to go on a diet, the same advice holds true. Over time small adjustments can add up to big savings.

1. Visit your local library to reduce spending on videos, books, cds, and magazine subscriptions.
2. Lower the thermostat two degrees and put an extra blanket on the couch.
3. Bundle your phone, Internet and TV services with one provider.
4. Pay at the pump to avoid extra purchases in the store.
5. Empty your spare change every night and put it in a jar.
6. Go out for lunch instead of dinner (portions are smaller and so is the bill).
7. Stay in. Download a movie, play Wii^TM or board games.
8. Work from home a day or two a week to save on gas.
9. Shop at consignment stores—if brand names are important, use Google^TM to find high-end resale shops nearest you.

When it comes to tip number three, TDS has an incentive for you: Bundle your phone, Internet and TV service with us and save, on average, $321/ year. That's a long term win/win for your budget. Click for more details.