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 Suze's top 6 tips: The goal: Keep more money in your pocket By Suze Orman USA Weekend 08.16.09  

Getting the very most out of the money you have requires big-picture thinking. With that in mind, here are six terrific long-term strategies you can put into play right now to save yourself thousands of dollars per year:

1. Reassess your home. Get a reassessment of what your home is worth now, because it's likely not worth nearly as much as it was a few years ago. And if you bought during the home-buying frenzy of 2005-06, it may have lost 40% to 50% of its value. So get an accurate assessment of its current value on the books. Why? It could save you thousands in home insurance and taxes paid. A friend in West Chester , Pa. , bought her home at the peak of its sales history -- and paid all of the taxes that came with it. I persuaded her to get a reassessment. As a result, she's saving $5,000 in taxes a year.

2. Update your insurance. Two things here: First, many people have one company that insures their home and another that insures their cars. Big mistake. You can save 10% or more in premium costs by having both with the same company. Just ask for a new rate quote to check out how much less you'll pay. Second, increase your auto deductible to $1,000. Why? Because car insurance should cover only major damage, not scratches or dings. If you make a habit of claiming small stuff, you'll see premiums rise dramatically -- or your insurer will drop you. So consolidate insurers and raise your deductible, and I bet you'll save a few hundred a year, depending on how much you're covering.

3. Diversify your savings. If you are eligible for a company 401(k) or a similar retirement savings plan, contribute the maximum that your employer will match. Anything less is leaving free money on the table. But after that match amount? Contribute nothing. That's right: Suze the Saver says not to put in another dime. Why? Because tax rates are as low as can be right now. If you have extra money to invest and you qualify, put it in a Roth IRA instead. Although your contributions are taxable income now, the Roth is great because your investment earnings can grow tax-free. If you're at least 59 1/2, have had the Roth five years or longer and want to tap it, you won't be taxed on those funds. If you're investing for the long haul, not being subjected to the possibility of higher income taxes is a big plus.

4. Increase your exemptions. Many folks are thrilled to get a $2,000 or $3,000 refund from the IRS each year. But think about why you're getting it: You've overpaid taxes and given Uncle Sam an interest-free loan! At the same time, many Americans are carrying huge credit card debt with interest rates of 8% to 32%. Reducing your tax refund from $3,000 to zero will effectively get you $250 a month to pay down that savings-sucking debt. You can reduce your tax refund by seeing if you qualify to increase your withholding allowances through your employer.

5. Say "no" to store cards. With the holiday shopping season ahead, many retailers now are soliciting customers to sign up for a store card to save 10% on their purchases. So shoppers sign up and spend the entire credit limit -- say, $500 -- just to save $50. But these store cards carry higher interest rates (like 21% or more) than standard cards. And guess what? The more store cards you have maxed out, the worse your credit rating will be, which means you'll be charged more to borrow for a home, car or whatever else you need. Not only that, but car insurance companies, for example, can use your credit history to calculate premium costs, so these will go up, too, if your score is iffy. And given the current instability in the job market, a credit-history check now is considered business as usual for companies that are evaluating job candidates.

6. Borrow wisely for college. With the credit crisis, banks are less likely to give private student loans, so students are getting their parents to cosign. But I tell parents to put away their pens. Interest on a private student loan is averaging 12% now, according to Forbes. But a "PLUS loan," which parents can take out in their own names, is fixed at only 8.5% interest. Also, if families are invested in a state 529 college savings plan, they need to take a good, hard look at their balance and how their plan managers invest the money, then make some adjustments. Many plans have lost much of their value over the last several years, thanks to the stock market's decline. If your child will enroll in college in the next five years, make sure your portfolio is in safe, fixed-interest-generating options, not in stocks.

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Our readers say: Little savings steps can add up, too.

Cash is king. Danny Kofke, just one of the many USA WEEKEND readers who shared their money-saving tips with us, has found that paying in cash can be a great bargaining tool. The Hoschton, Ga. , resident recently coached a friend in the market for a TV that retailed for $1,000. "I told her to walk into the store with $700 in cash and say she really wanted the television but could only spend the money she had. Well, after some talk, she walked out with the TV." And Dawn P. Wright of Rochester , N.Y. , reports that several gas stations near her offer a 10-cents-a-gallon discount if you pay with cash. Other retailers often offer this price break to avoid credit card processing fees, so don't be afraid to ask.

Enjoy free or cheap sights. Bill Nalevanko, a National Park Service employee who lives in Olyphant, Pa., recommends taking advantage of "fee-free weekends" at national parks (find them at nps.gov). This weekend is 2009's last free one, but there will be a "fee-free day" on Sept. 26 (National Public Lands Day). Kelley Lauzon of Windsor, Ontario, antes up $67 for an annual family membership to Ohio's Toledo Zoo -- an hour's drive away -- but it also gets her family into more than 125 North American zoos at a discount or for free. "We've visited the zoos in Memphis ; Phoenix ; Cleveland and Columbus , Ohio ; Indianapolis ; and Fort Wayne , Ind. ," she says. "It is definitely worth the money spent!" While traveling, the Lauzons also enjoy taking factory tours, most of which are free. "We find them at factorytoursusa.com," she says.

Choose water. Drinking tap water (use a filter, if you'd like) can save you hundreds of dollars a year on what you might spend on bottled water, power drinks, juices, soft drinks, etc. Cheryl Maguire of East Bridgewater , Mass. , only drinks water when dining out. "You'll save $10 to $20 a week, depending on what you normally drink [and how often you drink it]," she says. "You'll also save a whole lot on calories." Theresa Lorbiecki of Milwaukee concurs. "Discriminate between what is a want and what is a need," she says. "Soda is a want; no one in this world needs it. Water is a need. Raise your children that way, and save soda as an occasional treat."

Trim your workout fees. Why pay $400 (or more) a year for a gym membership when you can exercise for free? Emily Galvin of Breckenridge , Colo. , finds a great range of fitness programs on cable. "Most require no equipment," she says. "But if they do, hand weights are inexpensive. I've found some at yard sales. Plus, I don't have to drive to a gym." Or, buy a bike and helmet, says reader Megan Stafford of Lebanon , Tenn. , who says the initial expense has been far outweighed by the benefits of biking. "You not only save money in gas by commuting to work or doing errands, but you discover a new way to exercise," she says. "You shed pounds, which is a great way to save on health care costs over time. It's great for family bonding, too. I even take vacations on my bike."

Get good entertainment deals. Kathy Broecker of Mountain View , Calif. , has ditched excursions to pro sports events and instead catches games at area colleges. "Tickets are much less expensive, and the players and fans are so enthusiastic," she says. Maria Belinda Garcia of Bartlett , Tenn. , seeks out community theaters for her musical-watching pleasure. "We recently had great local talent doing Rent," she says. "It's better than paying $200 a seat in New York , right?"

Discover free downloads. Reader Jan Cullinane of Palm Coast , Fla. , downloaded Skype (skype.com) to make free long distance calls. It came in handy when her son was in Japan for eight weeks this summer (it works internationally). "All you need is a microphone," she says.

Be a critic. Elizabeth Jones of Fleming Island , Fla. , signs up with product review companies -- Kraft First Taste, BzzAgent, General Mills' Pssst, House Party, SheSpeaks and Vocalpoint, among others -- to give manufacturers feedback on new items. "They offer samples and coupons if I try their products and tell others about them," she says.

Clean your closet and swap clothes. Last summer, Colorado reader Emily Galvin embarked on a cleaning frenzy when inspiration struck: Why not host a ladies' night where neighbors and co-workers could bring their no-longer-wanted clothes and accessories and let everyone "shop" for new looks? "We had a blast going through each other's clothes and updating our wardrobes while brooming out our closets," she says. "Now, they're asking if I'll host another one."

Suze Orman is the author of nine personal finance books and is host of The Suze Orman Show on CNBC, which airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET.
Cover and cover story photographs of Suze Orman by Marc Royce; illustrations by Doug Panton for USA WEEKEND

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