Refinancing
Interest rates aren't the best they've ever been right now, but they're still fairly low. Refinancing a variable rate loan to a fixed rate right now could still be a good idea, as rates may go up in the future.
Consolidating
Consolidation is a great way to convert many small, hard to manage debts into one single debt, usually with a significantly lower interest rate. Even if the rate reduction of a consolidated loan isn't much lower than the loans or debts it replaced, it can sometimes be very bennificial to have to only make one payment a month to one company.
Note for student loans: A change in the law that will occur on July 1st, 2006 will significantly increase variable interest rates on student loans. Consolidating those loans to one fixed rate loan may literally save thousands of dollars.
Saving
Saving can seem very dificult when money is tight, but even a few dollars put away every week can add up
over time.
One thousand dollars earning 5% a year will add up to about $1,600 in ten years. However if even an extra
one hundred dollars is added each year, it will be worth almout three thousand dollars.
Bills
Dealing with bills is always a pain. Credit cards take forever to pay off when only paying the minimum, but sometimes there isn't any money to pay more.
Expenses
Cutting expenses is one of the most import steps to starting to save money. While some are unavoidable (bills, food, etc.), many expenses can be cut out of a weekly budget. It's almost cliche by this point, but cutting out an expensive cup of coffe or fast food meal every day can really make a difference in how much money is left at the end of the week