10 Tough Ways to Boost Your Bottom Line

8. Don't eat out. That's right. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all made at your kitchen at home. No exceptions for snacks (no trips to the bakery or the office vending machine) and coffee (sorry Starbucks (SBUX Quote)) as well. If it goes into your mouth, it is prepared by you from your kitchen. This means putting aside time to prepare meals and snacks and taking everything with you when you leave your house. Though not easy, the results will dramatically improve both to your health and your pocket book.

9. Don't pay for entertainment. There was a time when we had to entertain ourselves and although it might be difficult to give up paid entertainment, it's possible to go back to those roots and find your entertainment for free. You likely have to look a little harder, be a little more creative and be a bit more active, but there are plenty of opportunities to trade in paid entertainment for activities that are free -- walks, hikes, bike rides, concerts in the park to name just a few.

Getting your entertainment at no cost means more effort on your part, but you'll find things that satisfy your interests much more while also giving a boost to your bank account.

10. Start your own business. More work after work is not what most people would consider easy, but it's a great way to help your finances. It means working a double shift; eight hours at your current job and then when you get home, another eight on building your new business.

It takes time and patience to build a new business, as well as a lot of effort, so pick one that you enjoy. Whether your part-time business makes a little to supplement your regular income or grows so that it's making as much as your regular job, it will help your bottom line.

Upon reading this list, you probably decided that all of these suggestions are impossible for you -- before even thinking of a strategy on how each could be accomplished.

Again, these are hard ways to improve your finances, but adopting any of them can change your financial outlook for the better both quickly and dramatically.