It’s Monday, and money’s on a lot of people’s minds including mine.

The Sun is reporting that the stock numbers are up. A good sign, but one that doesn’t tell us a whole lot because we still need to see how the financial bailout will pan out.

As for me, the financial crisis certainly makes me think a bit about my personal finances. How do I keep from having my own financial crisis?

I’ve heard it said that the small things go a long way.

Financial journalist Keith Reed suggests a smart way to figure out where your money is going is a spending diary.

I may follow Keith’s suggestion.

In the meantime I’ve already started thinking smart financially, at least I think. I have identified five areas where I need to evaluate how and where I spend money.

1) Gas: I already try to fill up once a week and get through the work week, running errands, and hanging out on a full tank. Maybe I’ll shop around more, or investigate whether getting gas from a wholesale club is the way to go.

2) Food: Currently I buy my lunch five days a week. Maybe I should follow my mother’s advice and learn how to cook that way I get the most bang for my buck. Plus who knows? Cooking could turn out to be fun, I guess.

3) Entertainment: I don’t make a lot of impulse buys, but sometimes I buy magazines, movies or CDs when it’s really a want and not a need. I could try reading magazines online, renting or borrowing movies from the library, or downloading those songs I know I’m going to listen to when it comes down to it.

4) Bills: I definitely need to budget so that I can pay all my bills including those student loans that I must soon begin payment on.

5) Savings: Also, it’s so important for people of every age to save. You never know when you might need extra cash to push you through, or to purchase something you need and don’t just want. Besides, saving teaches discipline, organization and responsibility.

So what are you doing to get the most out of your money?

Talk to me comment below or e-mail me at cenelson08 at gmail dot com.

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