I used to schedule my hair appointments every eight weeks without fail.  I gave no thought to swinging through Starbucks a couple of times a week.  Dry clean clothes went for cleaning each time they were worn.  My magazine racks at home and work were filled to overflowing.  And I had both a land line and a cell phone.

Not anymore.  

Apparently, I am not alone.  A new Harris poll out today reveals that as few as 8% and as many as 63% of consumers over 18 have made little changes like me.  From buying more generic brands to carpooling to brown bagging it to cutting back (or out) on their cable service, everyone is finding something they can do to save a little money.  

Is it working?  Well, the economy does appear to be making a turn for the better.  But every other day (it seems) there is news that makes you wonder.  Truth is, sometimes you have to believe change is happening and then act as if it is whether or not it is true yet.  Consumer Confidence continues to bump along, a sign that we all want to believe things are getting better.  All I know is that I feel better when I am doing something about my own financial situation.  

Can you single-handedly turn the economy around?  No.  But you can make a difference in your own household budget and your attitude toward money.  And if we all do that I can't help but think the collective economy will surely improve.