Your 2008 resolutions are most likely history, especially if they involved food and exercise. If you're feeling the pinch after last holiday season, these tips might soften the blow of bills now thudding into the mailbox. Here are some small ways to better ease your cash flow — and in turn, help you accumulate some fairly hefty potential savings, if you put the margins in the bank.

NO. 1

Swap out your lightbulbs. Exchange six 100-watt incandescent bulbs for six 26-watt compact fluorescent bulbs, used for three hours daily at 25 cents per kilowatt hour, and watch your bill drop. See HECO's booklet "Energy Tips & Choices" for more savings around the home. Annual savings: $122

+ NO. 2

For haircuts, salons such as Aveda or Paul Brown offer free haircuts for models who work with them on new cuts or training. Book a trainee stylist for your regular cut, at about $25, compared with $40 to $100 for a professional stylist. Annual savings (five haircuts): $75

+ NO. 3

Do you really watch all those TV channels? Consider slimming down. Standard cable costs $45.50 per month. One premium channel adds $15; each additional channel adds $7. Lose two and you save $22 per month. Annual savings: $264

+ NO. 4

Like movies? Sign up for a DVD club that charges a monthly rate — $18 for as many movies as you can watch. That's the same as two tickets for ONE movie on the big screen. If you don't watch the DVDs, cancel the service. Savings (based on two people watching 4 movies per month): $54 per month. Annual savings: $648

+ NO. 5

If you don't use your cell phone much, try switching your plan to a pay-as-you-go. AT&T's basic plan is $40 per month. Shop pay-as-you-go with a $25 phone card, you save $15 per month. (And consider Skype or an alternative voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) service to call abroad and long distance, rather than ratcheting up a huge phone bill.) Annual savings: $180

+ NO. 6

Take up running or walking instead of going to the gym. Join a running-walking group to stay motivated. Savings: around $35 in membership fees per month. Annual savings: $420

+ NO. 7

Take a good home-made cup of coffee in the car each morning instead of the $4-plus latte fix at you-know-where. Skip their croissants; eat breakfast at home. Savings: $90 per month. Annual savings: $1,080

+ NO. 8

Wash and vacuum your own car instead of going to the car wash. Annual savings (10 washes): $70

+ NO. 9

Making and taking your own lunch can save $35 per week. Annual savings (50 weeks): $1,750

+ NO. 10

Family day out? Take a picnic to the beach instead of heading for the nearest lunch wagon or restaurant. Burger, fries and drinks for a family of four, $30, vs. $10 if you make it yourself. Annual savings on 12 family outings: $240

= total annual savings of $4,849

MORE TIPS TO SAVE