How to SAVE BIG: Don't Sweat the Lattes

Jan. 4, 2010 — -- For weeks now I've been counting down and adding up. Counting down to the publication of my new book and adding up the savings strategies I have to share with you. Now one number is at zero: the countdown. It's complete. "SAVE BIG: Cut Your Top 5 Costs and Save Thousands" is out and in stores! The other number, my savings tally is at $1,176,916. That's the amount of savings I demonstrate in the pages of the book.

These savings are possible, not by giving up every little pleasure. That guilt trip is over. Have a latte! Leave the lights on when you leave the room! Enjoy that long, strong shower! I think you're going to like my way of saving a lot better.

To SAVE BIG means to save more than a $1,000 at a time. In fact, I guarantee that every tip in my book has the potential to save you at least $1,000. How is it possible? If you figure out where you spend big, you can save big. Our Top 5 costs are: houses, cars, credit, groceries and health care. Instead of giving up life's little pleasures and conveniences, wouldn't you rather target these big, boring expenses? Here are some of my favorite examples.

Houses: 60 percent of our homes are over-assessed and yet only 2 percent of people fight their property tax assessments, according to the National Taxpayers Union. Put those two stats together and you can see that you have a good chance of winning. In fact, most people who try it win at least a partial victory. And lowering the value on which your local government bases your property taxes is truly the gift that keeps on giving because it resets your rate for years to come.

When you buy a car, you can follow the crowd and buy one of the most popular makes and models at a premium. Or you can buy what auto Web site Edmunds.com calls a "dark horse car." A dark horse car is equivalent in quality and style to a popular brand but costs about 20 percent less.

For example, maybe you'd choose a Nissan Altima rather than a Toyota Camry. Buy it used and you will save even bigger. Cars depreciate 45 percent in the first three years, so if you buy a low-mileage, 3-year-old car, you are getting a 45 percent discount. I will never buy another new car.