We are all looking for ways to trim money from the family budget. The easy way is to trim the big stuff but some significant savings can be found elsewhere. No we are not uncovering a gold mine but there is enough money hidden in your family budget to add up to a nice family vacation. Here’s the list:

1.       Paying Bills by Sail Mail

The average household receives 15 bills a month, with stamps costing 45 cents a pop. That adds up to $70 a year in stamps. Instead use online bill pay or have most of your bills automatically deducted from your account each month.

2.       Examine Your Cell Phone Bill

I am sure you know that going over your allowed cell minutes can quickly send your bill skyrocketing. But have you looked at your unused minutes? According to consumer research firm JD Power and Associates, cell phone subscribers only use an average of 64 percent of their minutes. Call your cell phone company and have them analyze your usage and see if a different plan would work better. According to JD Power this could save you $16.50 a month.

3.       Letting the Water Run

Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth or anything outside of washing your face. Every minute the water flows an additional 2 ½ gallons washed down the drain. Also run only full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine. And use a bucket to wash the car and the hose to rinse off the car. This can save about 90 gallons of water per wash. According to the National Rural Water Association this can shave about 40 percent off your bill each year. Or an average savings of $190.

4.       Too Much Insurance

Do you have the right coverage? Talk to your agent and see if your needs have changed sine you took out the policy. Can you change your deductable, especially on an older car. Do you have the right home owners coverage, take a look at the land value. Some policies insure you for the land and the house. Even if there is a tornado, the land isn’t going anywhere. Just the structure, your home, needs insurance.  You could save 15 to 30 percent a year.

5.       That ATM

The average consumer withdraws $60 from their ATM four times a month. That is $240 a month that goes unaccounted for. It is a really large financial leak. And if you add in the $1.50 to $3 ATM fees, this can be a huge savings.

6.       Eating Out on Vacation

When on vacation, make sure your hotel room has some sort of a kitchen, even if it is a kitchenette. If you eat in you can save, per person, $5 for breakfast, $10 for lunch, $15 for dinner. If you need to find a way to cut back while on vacation, eat one or two meals in your room each day. You could save over $70 a day, after the cost of buying the groceries.

7.       Bounced Checks

Okay why does the bank charge us for over drafts? They already know we don’t have any money, and now they want more of it! But seriously, overdrafts can quickly pile up and become a large financial drain. Talk to your bank because most offer some kind of overdraft protection. And if you go over, you are only responsible for the interest on the overages. The savings could be between $15 and $100 a month.

8.       Bundle Your Services

Getting your phone, internet, and cable from different companies is expensive. Shop around and find a company that will give you a great deal when you bundle your service with them. This could save you $20 a month.

9.       Minimum Payments on Credit Cards

The credit card companies do not want you to pay off your balances; if you do they don’t make any money. The average household has around $9000 in credit card debt. If you pay only the required minimum, you are spending around $1000 a year on interest. If you can send double the requested payment or dip into savings to pay off those cards faster. This could save you hundreds of dollars a year.

10.   Credit Card Rewards programs

Unless you are paying off your balance each month, there is no reason to have this type of card. Many credit companies have a really complicated cash back program, and the rewards offered for everyday purchases is minimal. You are better off going for a lower interest rate. For example, going from a rewards card with a 17 percent interest rate to a no frills card with a 10 percent interest rate, can save you $350 a year on a $5000 balance.