Looking to shave a few dollars off your budget but don’t know where to start? Here are some tips on stretching your funds during these challenging economic times.

1. Change to those fluorescent coil light bulbs.

2. Sign up for your company’s commuter benefits. Many employers allow you to purchase public transit at a significant savings, as much as one-third.

3. Drink before you go out (but don’t drive). Instead of having that first drink at the bar, enjoy a pour at home with your dining companions.

4. Do breakfast or lunch out instead of dinner.

5. Pump regular instead of premium.

6. Fall back in love with plastic bags. No, not the demonized grocery store variety. Re-use the ones that weasel their way into your house — wrapped around your bread, shredded cheese, tortillas, cereal, newspapers — and you’ll never spend another penny on Ziplocs.

7. Accessorize. Give new life to last year’s frocks with cheap jewelry from teenybopper stores like Forever 21, or discounters like Wal-Mart and Target.

8. Use the slow cooker and microwave more. They are much more energy-efficient than the stove and the oven.

9. Download your workouts. You can download yoga, pilates, cardio and strength-training videos for free at exercisetv.tv.

10. Maximize your bank accounts. Spend 15 minutes with your banker to find out if you could be earning higher interest or earn bank rewards.

11. Use the library. But return books on time to avoid fines.

12. Look into your medical reimbursement plan. Talk with your employer’s benefits rep to see if you could save money on known medical expenses.

13. Shop only for what you’ll eat in a day. Strategic daily grocery shopping means you’ll enjoy fresher foods daily and won’t be left with bulk that never gets used.

14. Go to freeshipping.org and get promotion codes for free shipping from 800 retailers.

15. Cut your children’s hair yourself.

16. Switch auto insurers, or ask your insurer to give you a better rate.

17. Call your utilities and ask for a better plan. Cell phone carriers will tell you if you can change your plan and get a better rate. Cable companies and other utilities may have cheaper plans, too.

18. Get a cheaper Netflix plan.

19. Drive less aggressively. Taking it easy on accelerating and braking is the best way to save on gas — an average of 31 percent savings, according to experts.

20. Take advantage of theater deals. Second-run movie theaters show good films at significant savings. Some first-run theaters offer discount nights. Look for deals on earlier-in-the-day movies, too.

21. Stretch leftover takeout. Add a can of chicken broth to the quarter-carton of kung pao or pad Thai, and voila: a delicious bowl of soup.

22. Use your bank’s rewards program. You might be earning valuable points each time you use your debit card. Cash them in for air tickets, household goods and more.

23. Turn the thermostat way down at night.

24. Sell the extra gym membership you’re not using.

25. Skip the vending machine and buy soft drinks at the supermarket.

26. Be a group person. Look into deals from your alumni association or any other organization on things like insurance, car rentals or travel.

27. Put your airline miles to use.

28. Drink Chilean or Australian wine. These regions are still deals in the wine world.

29. Buy the large tub of yogurt and portion it out yourself.

30. Call your credit card issuers and ask for a better rate — or to have that late fee removed. Credit card companies usually allow two courtesy removals of late fees (which can top $40).