Before you hit the crowded gym this January, here are five easy things you can do today to start off the year right by saving money.

1. Pack your lunch. Don’t throw away your leftovers. You can easily save over $100 a month if you pack your lunches instead of getting fast food every week, which is not great for your health anyway.
2. Automate savings. If you don’t see it, then you won’t spend it. Have a portion of your paycheck go straight into a Savings account. Before you know it, you’ll have enough for that trip to Tahiti.
3. Go generic. More often than not, the only difference between your favorite peanut butter jar and a generic one is the packaging. Buy the store brand when possible and you’ll notice your grocery bill will be smaller each time you do so.
4. Do it yourself. It’s tempting to take the easy way out and call a plumber every time your garbage disposal stops working, but a quick look on YouTube and a few bucks can save you a lot of money. There are a lot of good resources online to help you fix most everyday household issues.
5. Make your own coffee. We get it, that shot of caffeine in the morning is a must for most of us, but paying over $4 for a latte every day quickly adds up. It’s cheaper if you buy your own coffee and creamer, plus it’s likely that your office has a coffee maker already.

This is not an exhaustive list, but it’s a great start to get you on the right track. Keep checking our website for more tips and tricks to help you master your finances.