So you have a budget and you stick to it.

Awesome!

But even the best budgets need a little trimming when life throws those curve balls. Maybe you’ve had an emergency, or perhaps you just want to accelerate your debt-free plan. Below are seven ways to help meet your goal.

They’re meant to be temporary fixes, not necessarily permanent ones. For example, it’s probably not reasonable to permanently cut your gas budget, but you may be able to pull it off for a few months.

My husband and I have personally trimmed down each one of these budget areas for a period of time in order to meet a financial goal faster. It may hurt for a bit, but the end result is worth it.

Entertainment

This is the most obvious area to cut. It includes everything from eating out to paying for cable TV.

[Tweet “7 Things To Cut When Money’s Tight. #1 Entertainment- Switch from cable To Hulu or Netflix for a quick win.”]

Toiletries

I looked in my shopping cart once and realized there were a lot of “wants” disguised as “needs.” I’m not talking about skimping on toilet paper, but perhaps there are some brand-name items or beauty products that can temporarily stay on the shelf.

Clothes

Sometimes we can get in the habit of buying new clothes every season when what we really need to do is stick with what we’ve got. If you have the itch for a new outfit, try a thrift shop. It may not be brand new, but it’s new to you!

Gifts

Whether we’re talking wedding showers, birthdays or a Christmas shopping list that’s just way too long, reassess your gift-giving habits. Generosity is a good thing, but sometimes we need to put our own financial goals first so we can be even more generous later.

Gas

You obviously need to get to work and back, but how much of your driving is unnecessary? Try combining errands into one trip and skipping any activities that are far from home. You may be surprised how you can trim down your gas budget when you’re intentional about it.

Gym Membership

Fitness is important, but there are ways to do it without a gym. Do an online search for gym-less workouts using body weight or inexpensive equipment, and enjoy some time in the great outdoors.

Hair Care

I love a nice salon just as much as the next girl, but when the budget’s tight, I’m all about finding cheap alternatives. I’ve had great experiences with beauty schools and teaching salons, and I’ve learned it’s OK to forego the highlights and fun stuff for a while to save a little cash.