The start of the school year is the perfect time to take a look at your spending habits and avoid wasting money where you don't have to. Here are some ideas to help you save money.

Meals at the Workplace - Working Americans spend an average of $6 when they buy their lunch at work. The average cost drops to $2 when we bring our lunch from home. That's a difference of $4 a day, or $20 a week, or over $1,000 a year. Consider adding this savings to your savings account and after just a few months you'll really see the difference add up.

Utilize the Public Library - By obtaining a library card, you can save on books, magazines, and especially DVD rentals. If you average 3 DVD rentals a month, you're spending approximately $144 a year. That's $144 that could be deposited into your bank account. For every book you check out, find out what it would have cost if you'd bought it. Deposit that amount into your account, too.

Do Away with Disposables - From razors and batteries to paper towels and plastic bags, your home is filled with products that are meant to be thrown away. Most of these disposable items have either a permanent or semi-disposable counterpart. Switching over to these more durable items can yield a savings of $4 a week or $200 a year.

Get the Most Out of Your Utilities - Many of us are overspending on our utility bills for no other reason than our own apathy. If you haven't already switched over to low-flow showerheads and toilets it's probably time to do so. Also, get into the habit of turning off lights when not in use. Did you know that most utility companies offer a free online energy audit? This way you can see exactly where you're wasting money.