The minute most of us are faced with legal troubles, we begin to sweat just thinking about the bill we’ll have to pay the law firm.  Lawyers make a lot of money for two reasons.  The first is that we need their legal expertise, which takes a lot of schooling, and their resources (law libraries, clerks, and so on), which we wouldn’t necessarily have access to otherwise.  The other is that they know that they are the only thing standing between you and your ultimate judgment (so to speak), which is a fairly precarious position for the average citizen to be in.  However, there are ways to cut down on fees and ensure that you don’t go broke while fighting your legal battles.  Here are a few options that you may want to consider.

1.  Get a good lawyer.  An experienced, reputable, and ethical lawyer who specializes in your type of problem is absolutely essential if you want to stop the bill from becoming unmanageable.  Someone who is fumbling their way through your case because they don’t have the knowledge and expertise necessary is going to end up costing a lot more and delivering a lot less.  So find the right person for the job from the outset if you want to avoid excess charges.

2.  Settle out of court if possible.  You might think you’re paying a load of legal fees now, with every piece of correspondence costing you hundreds of dollars, but the big bucks don’t start flying until you get to court.  If you’re facing the type of lawsuit that will require you to pay out if you lose, you may want to think about settling before the case ever sees the inside of a courtroom.  Remember that your lawyers have to be paid regardless of a win or a loss.  The common adage is all too true: nobody wins but the lawyers.  By settling out of court, you may effectively cut your losses in the long run.

3.  Ask about flat fees.  Most law firms charge hourly for their services, which can quickly result in a hefty price tag.  But there are certain areas, like contract preparation, that may be offered at a flat rate.  If this is the case, you can probably save quite a bit over the hourly rate and still get the same great service.

4.  Opt for legal aid.  This may or may not be a genius idea.  Legal aid is, of course, free as it is provided by the state for those who cannot (or will not) pay for legal counsel.  However, any lawyer worth his salt is probably making beaucoup bucks with a reputable firm rather than wasting away working for the state.  So you’re basically scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to attorneys.  They’re overworked and undereducated, by and large.  So while you can certainly save on the cost of representation by choosing legal aid, you might end up losing big in the long run, especially if your case is complex.

5.  DIY.  A law firm will charge you a minimum fee for absolutely everything they do for you, whether it’s a five-minute phone call, ten minutes spent drafting a letter, or hour after hour of research on precedents for your case.  But some of these things can be done by you.  If, for example, your case requires personal documents, you can compile them instead of letting your lawyer charge you for the time it takes to secure the same information from the hall of records (or wherever they go to get it).  Ask for a listing of ways you can help and you’ll definitely cut down on your overall bill.

Emma Martin writes for Corboy and Demetrio, a personal injury law firm based in Chicago, Illinois.  Corboy Demetrio Law Firm is one of the nation’s premier practices.

By now, most seasoned travelers have become aware of discount sites like Travelocity, Priceline, Orbitz, Kayak, and so on that cater to those who would like to travel for less.  And while you can certainly get some great deals by bundling your airfare, hotel, and car rental into one low-priced package, there are a ton of other ways to save when you head out your front door and into the wide blue yonder.  Here are a few you may want to consider.

1.  Purchase in advance.  This is one of the best ways to save on airfare and hotel accommodations, not to mention ensuring availability and options.  If you know you’re going to be traveling six months to a year in advance, don’t wait for prices to improve (they probably won’t, although sometimes there are large sales over holiday weekends and such).  Purchase tickets and make reservations while prices are low and you’re guaranteed to save money over those who opt to wait it out.

2.  Comparison shop.  This seems like common sense, but you’d be surprised how many people only go to one discount travel site and then call it a day.  By visiting multiple sites (some of which can secure larger blocks of tickets for better discounts, or those that have deals worked out with specific partners), you’re guaranteed to ultimately find the best prices.  Another good option if you have the time is to try sites that let you name your own price (like Priceline).  You might be surprised how much you can save just by asking.

3.  Travel light.  With fees for everything short of the air you breathe (from seat assignments to snacks to luggage), it really behooves you to plan ahead.  By packing a light carry-on, you can avoid the new checked-baggage fees that are plaguing the airline industry (in many cases, you don’t just pay for additional bags, but for the first one…and you get charged more if you pay at the airport instead of the time of ticket purchase!).  For both utility and savings, check out the goods at Scottevest, which offers all manner of jackets loaded with 20+ pockets to house all your electronics in one easy-to-scan (and weather resistant) package.

4.  Get a suite.  Okay, this definitely doesn’t sound like a good way to save money, but hear me out.  If you’re going for an extended stay, paying a few dollars more each night for a room that comes with a kitchenette could save you a lot (and keep you from suffering the malaise and indigestion that always seems to follow days of eating out).  You might be surprised at how much you spend on food when you travel (figure on a minimum of about $50 per day, and probably more than that).  By going for the complimentary continental breakfast and preparing your own lunch and dinner in your room, you stand to save a lot, especially if you stay at an economy Inn & Suites type place.

5.  Spring for trip insurance.  Again, this is clearly an added expense, but the one time you have to change your flight plans because of a 24-hour flu, a traffic jam that causes you to miss your scheduled flight, or any other reason, you’ll be happy you paid the extra fifteen or twenty bucks and avoided the $100 transfer fee or the cost of buying a new ticket altogether.

Emma Martin writes for Thailand Holidays where you can plan your next exciting vacation.

Owning a vehicle cannot be described as an inexpensive undertaking.  Even if you save on buying a car by selecting something used, you’ll almost certainly spend that money down the line on repairs and related costs.  In short, you’re going to end up laying out a lot of dough for transportation if owning a personal vehicle is the option you choose.  However, in our car-loving culture, it’s almost unthinkable to eschew automobile ownership, especially if your work is not in close proximity to your home (as is the case for most people).  However, there are quite a few ways to cut costs when it comes to your car.  Here are some you might want to try.

1.  Buy certified pre-owned.  This is the happy medium between new and used.  Technically, these cars fall into the “used” category, but you still get most of the benefits of brand new.  Certified pre-owned vehicles are often 1-2 years old, but they are sold by the dealership after having undergone inspection and repair, they often come with low mileage, and you’re likely to get a full warranty with such a purchase.  The best part is, you’ll see a significant reduction in price for a car that is practically new.  They might even throw in some new-car smell.

2.  Get a service plan.  Tired of paying more for an oil change at the dealership because your warranty may be void if you go to Jiffy Lube?  Many dealerships offer a service plan for the duration of your warranty (just ask when you purchase your car) that costs less than paying each time.  There’s a one-time fee in the beginning and all you have to do for service is drop off and pick up your vehicle every three months.

3.  Skip the dealership.  When it comes to repairs, you should know that the dealership will charge you more than anyone else.  You might think it will be cheaper because they have access to parts and their mechanics work on your brand all day (that should make them faster, right?).  Unfortunately, this is not true.  Find yourself a good mechanic that you trust and take your car to him instead of the dealership.  You’ll save a ton.

4.  Consolidate insurance.  If you have your car insured with a different company than the one that insures your other assets (home, life, etc.), think about consolidating.  If you hold several policies with one company, you’ll likely get a better deal on all of them.

5.  Ask about discounts.  Talk to your insurance provider about possible discounts that you might be eligible for.  You could get a break for being a safe driver, keeping your mileage low, or even having a good student (if your teen is on your insurance, good grades can result in a discount).  Of course, paying off your car loan will net you the best rate reduction.  As soon as you can switch from full coverage to liability, you’ll see a significant savings.

6.  Carpool.  This one is a no-brainer.  Do your part for the environment (and your wallet) by finding some people in your office who live in your area.  By carpooling, you’ll all save on gas and mileage, and you might even get some benefits from your company (carpool rewards).

7.  Drive safely!  This is a great way to save money.  You can’t always anticipate accidents, but you can avoid many of them by simply being a safe driver.  You’ll also steer clear of speeding (or other) tickets and keep your insurance low.

Emma Martin writes for Party Bus CT where you can find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs. Connecticut Limo also provides car service to JFK airport.