Can you plug some spending leaks? Here are a few ideas.

• Have your parents or a friend take your senior pictures instead of paying big bucks at a portrait studio.
• When it’s time for prom, get a group of friends together to have dinner at someone’s house instead of at an expensive restaurant. Skip the limo and call a cab or drive a parent’s car.
• Trade dresses with friends instead of buying a new one for every dance. (It’s fun!)
• Keep your money in the bank instead of in your wallet. The less cash you have handy, the less tempted you will be to spend it.
• Compare prices at three places before buying anything.
• Make gifts instead of buying them.
• Cut out expensive habits such as smoking cigarettes or drinking a soda every day. (Did you know that if you smoke a $3 pack of cigarettes each day from age 18 to age 65, you’ll send $51,465 up in smoke!)
• Check out videos from the library instead of spending money to rent them.
• Invite your friends to a video party at home instead of going to the movies.
• Bring your lunch to school instead of buying it.
• Ride the bus or carpool instead of driving your own car.
• Shop at garage sales and thrift stores.

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