cell phones seem to be one of those things that nobody had 15 years ago but now no one can live without. Despite all our friends and everyone in my family having smartphones we have resisted the urge to upgrade. We have basic cell phones packages, with no texting or web on them. This saves us about $900 a year every year we don't upgrade and we doing fine without the extras.

Most people I know consider a smartphone to be an unnecessary luxury item, but I consider my smartphone to be the most necessary and pertinent purchase I made last year. I'm an iPhone user so I have a ton of apps that help me save money and track my spending. I can use my DocsToGo app to log my purchases straight into an organized and color-coded excel spreadsheet instead of carrying around a small notepad that I'll never be able to make sense of later (and forget half of the time.) I use my ScoutMob app to find restaurants offering 50% off for lunch and dinner dates. The GasBuddy app lets me view gas prices nearby so I know I'm getting the lowest price (Red Laser does the same, but for everything.) The NikeTrainingClub app gives me a butt-kicking work out every time so I can pair that with the LoseIt! app, which helps track your diet, to cut the cost of a personal trainer. My SaveCalc app lets me calculate how much I'll have at the end of the year if I put away a certain amount of money each month, and how much I'd miss out on if I didn't... instant motivation. I could go on, but the point is.... Yeah, the thing cost me $200 initially (and another $50 a month for unlimited talk, text, and web on a family plan), but it helps me save at least $150 every month. That makes it a necessity to me.

The one piece of advice I can give is to really think about the utility of the app. There are so many apps designed specifically to get you to spend money. For instance, the NikeTrainingClub app is unquestionably a tool Nike uses to develop a relationship with the consumer and to showcase its new products. If you can keep focused on your use for the app rather than the company's, the apps can be huge assets. If you find yourself spending more than saving using the app, delete it. I realized that I went to Starbucks more often because I was pre-loading money onto my Starbucks card app ( I got addicted to swiping my phone at the register rather than my debit card.) This was ruining my budget. A week after downloading the app, I deleted it. Problem solved.

Smart phones: Not a necessity until you have one. I don't have one, I do not miss it. I'm sure if I ever get one, I will never want to live without one - like a dishwasher.

Yoga (and other fitness): Necessity. I pay ~ $200/mo on health and fitness. This is hefty and I know that I could spend $0 by just going outside; however, I know that I won't do it unless I pay for it ('getting your moneys worth' is a very good motivator). Being healthy now decreases the risk of health problems later, which decreases the amount you'll be spending later on medications, surgeries, physio, etc... (spend it now so you don't have to spend it later). You can also claim these expenses on your taxes.

Cable: Not a necessity. I love television-watch too much. I know I do not need it and it will be the first thing I get rid of if I ever have to.

An alternative is what I've done..I have a basic 29.00 phone.with texting.. I bought an iPad.w.3g ..(once you amortize the 1st year of it's cost you start to save) Pay the 15.00 a month 3G (250m) .which I only use when I'm not in a wifi area. And.. is renewable every month..no annual contract.And have all the fun/ help of the apps w/o paying the larger iPhone fees..it's an idea..also by reading books on it.. You save .. Bc ebooks are cheaper than regular books.. And you can now download samples of most books(on amazon) and try them out before you buy them..saves wasted money on books you don't like.. Also there are thousands of classic books for free..

Ah, want and need. The way I determine it is if I will DIE without the item. If I won't, it is a want.

I had an iPhone. I loved it. I no longer have an iPhone and I am doing okay. Yes, I miss it--but I do not miss the bill (close to $200 for 2 iPhones). I now have a basic talk/text plan that does wonders. I am a student and would love to drop the texting plan but it just isn't ideal. I may and hope to soon but too many people communicate via text. I also dropped our minutes to the lowest possible. Our bill is about $100/month now which is $1200 year savings.

I really enjoy television. Probably because I am in school and it is my one escape. Unfortunately, when we signed up they did not inform us we are locked into a contract so that can't be changed right now.

In other areas, I only buy clothes at Goodwill or Ross. I bought 2 awesome business suits at Ross for $20/each. Otherwise, I scour the racks at Goodwill for everything. I truly don't need clothes. I bought a pair of shorts yesterday for $4.50 at Goodwill.

Trying to save with our car insurance now. Our car is paid off but gas and insurance kills us.

We always struggling with affording things for our cats. That sounds strange but one has food allergies so food is expensive!

Also, as far as the yoga goes, I know a lot of studios in my area, especially the more established ones, accept work exchange in return for yoga classes.

So you do check-ins for two hours a week in return for a certain number of classes, or help sweep/clean the studio between classes in return for a pass.

It's worth checking into if you want to stay involved in the fitness community without paying a ton of money.