Cut monthly bills now

Whether you're saving money for a down payment on your first home with your sweetie or one of you is out of work, there are always ways you can save some money. Here are easy tips to save on the bills that mock you every month.

YOUR CELL PHONE BILL: Keep your bill low by avoiding extra fees and charges (i.e., don't dial 411 for information, which can charge up to a $1.99 for each curious call; text Google instead).

Sign up for a family plan with your spouse or family members you're always yakking with, and take a few minutes to scan your monthly bill. Do you really use all of those "anytime minutes" you pay for? Do you really need a separate cash-guzzling ring-tone for every person in your contact list?

YOUR DRY CLEANING BILL: Get a great spot remover pen and home dry-cleaning kit that you can use on high-quality fabrics. You won't have to take that suit jacket or wool pencil skirt to the dry cleaner after just one wearing because you splashed a bit of soup on it.

YOUR WATER BILL: If you have a home where the water pipes run under the home or in the ground and open air, insulate them. You can lose a ton of heat while the water travels. And the good news is, insulation doesn't go bad.

When it comes to the water you drink, buy a water filter to attach to your faucet instead of buying bottled water. It's an up-front expense that will save you dough.