That Makes Cents: Hidden money in your home

Start in the kitchen.

Laura Rowley, finance expert
"The average household spends $2,700 a year on food that's purchased and eaten away from home."

Instead of going out, figure out weekly meals based on what's on sale and always use the store's loyalty card when you shop.

Cut back on cable.

Laura Rowley, finance expert
"The average person watches only 15 channels, but they pay $60 a month. Ask to put your service on vacation mode. You still have basic service, but it takes away all those extra channels."

If you don't miss them, call the cable company to cancel.

Take less clothing to the cleaners.

Laura Rowley, finance expert
"Sixty-five percent of the clothes that we send to the dry cleaner can actually be laundered and the average household spends $1500 a year. Just by diverting a third of those clothes to the laundry room from the dry cleaner, that's $500 back in your pocket."

Fill your prescriptions at a warehouse store.

Laura Rowley, finance expert
"They have the most widely available generics for $4 a month."

You can do this even if you're not a member.

Now that makes cents.

To read more tips from Laura Rowley and learn about her book, Money and Happiness, check out her website: www.moneyandhappiness.com

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