For many people, the two largest monthly bills are rent (or mortgage) and the car payment. The car payment can be a tricky one as the price of owning a car is higher than just the monthly car payment. Car ownership also includes gasoline, insurance and the occasional repair. Some of us can’t downsize our homes, especially if we have families or are upside down on a mortgage, but for others moving to a cheaper apartment or house is an option.

If you are renting and will be moving soon, consider renting a cheaper apartment or house. Perhaps your lifestyle would allow you to get a roommate. If you rent a cheaper apartment or house and get a roommate, you will definitely be making a big dent in your monthly expenses. Keep in mind that by having a roommate you are also sharing expenses such as electricity and gas. Over the course of a year this money could really add up. This might sound like a major inconvenience. However, if you think about it perhaps it is not such an inconvenience. If you are like many Americans, you are spending a lot of time working and may not be at home much anyway.

Can you commute to work? If so, maybe you don't need a car. Many cities have efficient enough public transportation that you can get from Point A to Point B without a car. Ditching your car, monthly gasoline bill and insurance could save you a bundle. Don’t forget the cost of car maintenance and repairs either. If you move closer to work, you could save time as well. Don’t let the American love affair with the automobile bring you down. There are some cities like Los Angeles where you must have a car, but this isn’t the case with all cities. Explore what your public transportation options are available, and how you could best use them. Look into getting a monthly rider’s pass as well to save a little extra money.

The transportation issue is a good one to communicate with friends and co-workers about. You might have a co-worker who lives nearby that would love to have you cover some of the gas every week. This could be easier and quicker than taking public transportation. Finding a co-worker or friend that you can share a ride with is a simply fantastic idea for cold weather climates as well. Plus, as a side benefit, you might have a more entertaining ride and make a new friend.

Yes, these changes all could be inconvenient, but so is the stress of constantly worrying about money. Keep in mind that recent studies indicate that stress literally can trim time off of your life. The most important question to ask is, "what can I do to eliminate money stress?" The bold move is to consider a wide variety of options, including those that you might have previously ignored.