Tracey Backer: HI! I am Tracey backer, and I am the member of the Financial Planning Association. I am here to discuss strategies to save you money, and right now I am going to talk about making those hard decisions.

Reducing your spending also calls for making some tough decisions, but there are a number of fairly simple that ways you can rein in your overall spending. Leave those credit cards at home. People do spend more when they can say charge it. You don't have your cards with you and you don't have enough cash in your wallet, you will spend less.

Stay out of the stores. If you like shopping this may be the hardest thing you have to do, but if you don't go to places where you like to spend money there is less temptation to spend in. Find impulse buying. Before you make any purchase ask yourself if you really need the item you are buying. Be as hard on yourself as you would be if you are making the decision for someone else.

Evaluate the cost of your habits and hobbies. Sometimes the hardest thing to cut out of your budget is the things you enjoy the most. But some hobbies can be extremely expensive, as can some lifestyle habits. Be honest with yourself as you way the cost against the pleasure they provide or make a deal with yourself that you resume your hobby when you get your finances under control.

Ration that entertainment. I am not saying eliminate the entertainment you enjoy. Its one of the things that makes life worth living, but spending on the entertainment is the cost that can drive your spending over the edge. The key is to think about entertainment in a new and creative way.

Remember by managing your cash flow more efficiently and being really tough on yourself when necessary, you will be able to save for the future and improve the quality of life.