Such purchases are not extravagant, but nonetheless adds up to $40 a month. A year's worth of such incidentals is $480! Put that money in the gas tank.

While you're at it, save your grocery receipts and enter your expenditures on a spreadsheet. You'll soon see spending patterns that are killing your bank account. Using coupons and shopping the sales can easily reduce your food bill by 30%. No kidding. More …