In a difficult economy, most of us are looking for ways to put more money in our pockets, but we don’t want to feel like misers¹. We don’t want to drastically alter our lifestyles either. We want it fast and we want it easy. Small savings² can add up and big savings can feel like winning the lottery³, just without all of the taxes.

经济不景气之时，大多数人都会想方设法在口袋里存下更多的钱，但又不想把自己弄得跟守财奴似的。我们不想颠覆原有的生活方式，希望能够通过快捷的途径省钱。省点小钱可以积少成多；省下大钱就好比买彩票中了大奖，而且还不用交税。

Some easy ways to save money:

以下是一些简单实用的省钱之法：

Online rebate⁴ sites. Many online sites offer cash back rebates⁵ and online coupons⁶ as well.

返利网站：许多网站都会推出现金返还、折扣以及优惠券等让利活动。

Sign up for customer rewards. Many of your favorite stores offer customer rewards on products you already buy. Take advantage.

参加客户回馈活动：你经常光顾的商店可能会有产品回馈活动，好好把握机会吧。

Switch to compact fluorescent⁷ bulbs. The extra cost up front is worth the energy savings later on.

换用小巧的荧光灯：虽然要付出一点额外的投资，但灯泡节省下的电能可以给你省下不少钱呢。

Turn off power strips and electronic devices when not in use.

电插板和电器不用时，务必关掉电源。

Buy a programmable thermostat⁸. Set it to lower the heat or raise the AC when you’re not home.

购买温度自动调节器：离家之时，用它来降温或者提高交流电压以省电。

Make coffee at home. Those lattes and caramel macchiatos add up to quite a bit of dough⁹ over the year.

在家做咖啡：在家做拿铁咖啡和焦糖拿铁，一年下来可以省下不少钱。

Switch banks. Shop around for better interest rates, lower fees and better customer perks¹⁰. Don’t forget to look for free online banking¹¹ and ease of depositing and withdrawing money.

更换银行：货比三家，选择那些利息高、业务办理费用少、客户服务优质的银行，除此之外，别忘了考虑网银是否免费，存取是否便利。

Clip coupons: Saving a couple dollars here and there can start to add up. As long as you’re going to buy the products anyway, why not save money?

（从报纸、杂志上）剪下优惠券：买东西时随买随省，这样便可积少成多。既然你是要买这些东西的，何不省一些是一些呢？

Pack your lunch. Bring your lunch to work with you a few days a week, rather than buy it.

自带午餐去上班：每周有几天选择自带午餐去上班，而不是买别的地方的东西吃。

Eat at home. We’re busier than ever, but cooking meals at home is healthier and much cheaper than take-out or going out. Plus, with all of the freezer and pre-made options, it’s almost as fast as drive-thru.

在家吃饭：工作虽忙，但在家做饭毕竟会比出去吃更有益于健康，也可以省下更多的钱。此外，现在有那么多速冻和半成品食物可供选择，做起来绝不慢于快餐。

Have leftovers¹² night. Save your leftovers from a few meals and have a “leftover¹³ dinner.” It’s a free meal!

晚上吃点剩菜：没吃完的饭菜留着晚上吃，美其名曰“剩餐”，免费的！

Buy store brands: Many generic¹⁴ or store brands are actually just as good as name brands and considerably¹⁵ cheaper.

对“名牌”说不：许多杂牌或者商场自有品牌的产品在质量上与名牌产品并无差别，价格却要便宜一大截。

Ditch bottled water. Drink tap water if it’s good quality, buy a filter if it’s not. Get a reusable water bottle and refill it.

远离瓶装纯净水：如果饮用水水质好，就直接饮用；若水质不佳，可以购买过滤装置，以可重复使用的瓶子盛装饮用。

Avoid vending¹⁶ machines: The items are usually over-priced.

避开自动售货机：自动售货机里的东西定价通常过高。

Take in a matinee. Afternoon movie showings are cheaper than evening times.

电影尽量选择午场：午后的电影票通常都比夜场要便宜些。

Re-examine your cable bill. Cancel extra cable or satellite channels you don’t watch. Watch the “on demand” movie purchases too.

重新审视你的有线电视账单：平常不看的有线或卫星频道无需购买，也要留心“点播”的电影是否收费。