If you think there is more month left at the end of the paycheck you are right.

If you think there is more month left at the end of the paycheck you are right.

If you are starting to feel like you are working harder and have less to spend you are not alone. In fact wages have been flat, in some sectors of the economy even going down, while prices for food, gas, heating oil and other must have things is going up and up and up.

With 13.5 million americans out of work and the average workweek running just over 34 hours a week, that paycheck is not going to be getting larger anytime soon.

So what are your options?

Find a way to live on less. Yes it takes work but it is worth it in the long run.

First, work hard at getting out of debt and not taking on anymore debt. The less you have to pay in payments the more money there is left over for food and gas and to enjoy life. That may mean driving your car another year or two, rather then trading it in and buying a new one. It might mean downsizing your home to reduce your monthly payment. It will for sure mean putting away or better yet cutting up your credit cards and their 19.8% interest rates.

Second, adjust your expectations, No you do not need that new outfit, No you do not need a new LCD HD TV, No you do not need...well the list goes on and on. Find a way to do with out and you will need less money to live.

Third, change the way you shop for food, work out a menu and stick to it. Buy the food that is on sale, buy in bulk. Stop eating out, you can eat at home for a fraction of the price and eat better.

Fourth, don't go shopping, that is the best way to not spend money. It is in fact that simple, in you aren't in the store you won't be spending the money.

You can in fact beat the paycheck game, you just have to be playing it smart.

Cheap-O Economics