In todays economy, every dollar counts. In the past, a simple phone call or a little research has saved my family a lot of money on basic expenses. You could do the same.

You could start by making a list of all your monthly expenses. Are you paying for any services that youre not using? You could cancel them or downgrade your service. Find out if the companies you are using offer any discounts.

Last fall, when my familys Internet bill went up, I called our service provider to see if they were having any specials. They lowered our bill by $35 a month. It was a call worth making.

With necessities like auto insurance, you can shop around for the best price. One helpful resource is www.lowermybills.com. It helps you compare rates for auto insurance, health insurance, mortgage payments, credit cards  and phone and Internet services.

Some companies such as cable and phone providers will offer package deals. These can be helpful if you faithfully use all of the services offered. If you dont, the package options and prices may not be worth it.

While many bills are a fixed amount each month, your electric bill can change from month to month depending on your usage. Pacific Powers website gives some excellent suggestions on how to save money on your bill each month.

The site suggests changing furnace filters once a month and making sure heating vents are clear so air can come through freely. Cleaning the coils of your refrigerator can help it run less expensively.

You could also let the dishes in your dishwasher air-dry and only run full loads. When using a washing machine, use cold water as much as possible.

Finally, the website encourages consumers to unplug appliances when they are not in use, such as coffee makers and cell phone chargers. Use surge protectors for televisions and computer equipment. If you are going to be away from your computer for more than two hours, turn off the switch.

These small suggestions, when applied, can increase your savings and your peace of mind.

Scarlett Barger, a mother of three who lives in Umatilla, writes a twice-monthly column on tips and techniques to simplify your life.