After becoming a stay-at-home mom, former corporate manager Julie Stewart and her family learned the true value of a dollar — and how to stretch it.

The Royal Kunia resident, 41, has found practical ways to cut back on spending: eating out less, hunting down bargains for clothing and household items, and cutting back on gourmet coffee.

"Saving money is a huge issue for stay-at-home moms, especially when families are adjusting from two incomes to just one income," said Stewart, president of the Moms Club of Waipahu and 'Aiea. "I have found, personally, that my staying home has allowed my family to implement money-saving methods as a result."

But budget-tightening benefits everyone — whether you're a full-time mommy, college kid or high-powered business executive. Stewart, along with financial adviser Valerie Schmidt of Ameriprise Financial, offers these tips:

1. BROWN BAG IT

"My husband used to buy lunch every day ... and it really adds up," Stewart said. "Even at $6 to $7 per day for lunch, that adds up to over $1,500 per year." Now Stewart's husband brings lunch from home, "which I estimate easily cuts those lunch costs in half."

2 .REVIEW YOUR TAX WITHHOLDING

“If your income taxes are giving you more than $1,000 in each return for federal and state, consider talking to your tax person and human resource person on changing your withholding,” Schmidt said. “By getting your ‘refund’ in every paycheck instead of after April, you can earn more interest by saving that money now.”

3. CUT THE CAFFEINE

A daily gourmet coffee habit can cost $650 per year, Stewart said. "Both my husband and I have cut back on this treat," she said. "He used to treat himself to a daily gourmet coffee. Now it is an occasional treat for me, about once a month."

4. CLIP COUPONS

Collect newspaper or online coupons, said Schmidt, a certified funds specialist.

5. BRING A LIST

Be careful warehouse shopping, Schmidt said. "What happens is people get enticed by all the products in the store while buying the items they are 'saving' money on," she said. "Bring a list to keep you on track and within budget."

6. SHOP GARAGE SALES

Many great items can be found. “This is particularly true of children’s clothing and toys, which are often lightly used,” Stewart said.

7. SAY NO TO CABLE

“I know several families that have decided not to have cable television in their homes,” Stewart said. “No cable adds up to monthly savings and it keeps unwanted television shows out of their homes.”

8. COMPARE PRICES

Review newspaper and other advertisements to see which store offers the lowest price. “Some of your favorite stores will credit you with the lowest ad you find, even if it is not from that store,” Schmidt said.

9. CONSOLIDATE CREDIT CARDS

Many people hold outstanding balances on their high interest credit cards, Schmidt said. “Consider consolidating them into your home equity, mortgage or low promotional credit cards,” she said. “This can save you hundreds per year in interest.”

Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com.