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MAY 20 / If you object to high legal fees

Prepaid legal plans can help you avoid getting overwhelmed by lawyer bills. Individuals can buy into prepaid plans on their own, but most people sign up through the workplace. Here are some tips:

* Consider your needs: People usually tap into the plans for help with such things as buying or selling a house, estate planning, adoption, name changes, divorces, credit problems, identity theft, immigration difficulties and tax audits. Many plans cover misdemeanor offenses such as traffic tickets, but most don’t handle felonies.

* Be prepared to pay more: For time-consuming or complex matters, clients may be charged additional fees but usually at a discounted rate. It all depends on the fine print in the contract your employer signed. Benefits representatives or vendors can answer questions.

* Be an advocate for yourself: Ask questions and make sure your lawyer returns your calls and follows up on correspondence.

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JUNE 17 / Ring up the right cellphone plan

When it comes to picking a cellphone plan, there is a dizzying array of choices. Here are some tips to figure out the best service for your needs:

* Read the contract: You usually can get discounts on handsets by signing one- or two-year contracts with a carrier, but look out for hefty penalties if you try to get out of those contracts early. You may be able to avoid contracts by paying full price for the phones.

* Shop before you buy: For handsets, check online to see what’s available with the calling plan you choose before you visit the store.

* Watch the extras: Pay close attention to add-on features. They can be simple -- $5 for 200 multimedia messages to $40 for unlimited messages with AT&T; -- but can add up quickly if you also want a data plan for e-mail and Internet access or fee-based content such as live television, video and music downloads.

* Try the trial: Take advantage of the trial periods each company offers, ranging from 14 to 30 days.

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JULY 1 / Cut the bills, not the wedding bliss

If you’re a bride on a budget -- or just want to start married life without a lot of debt -- there are ways to cut the wedding bills without stinting on the bliss:

* Buy a used or discounted gown: Seek out store sample sales, at which designer dresses can be marked down as much as 80%. Or search for “used wedding gown” online and you’ll get countless hits leading to once-worn gowns.

* Choose in-season or impostor flowers: Buy peonies in the spring and they’re $7 a stem. Insist on them in the fall and it’ll cost $14 to $19. A certain variety of rose looks similar but costs just $3. Likewise, the sought-after lily of the valley runs $5 a stem -- more than double the price of the look-alike white wax flower.

* Use digital music: Instead of paying $1,000 for live music, compile playlists of your favorite songs to play on a digital music device.

* Limit the guest list: Reception costs are calculated on a per-person basis. Cut the list -- and cut your expenses.

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JULY 29 / Go green to save green in long run

You can fight global warming and trim your household expenses at the same time. Some measures require an investment upfront but will save you plenty of money over time. Here are a few ways to go green without spending a lot of gold:

* Compact fluorescent light bulbs: Changing 10 60-watt bulbs will save the average homeowner in California more than $373 over the life of the new bulbs and prevent more than 1,700 pounds of carbon emissions.

* Appliances: Energy-efficient appliances can save $80 a year for the average homeowner, who spends $1,900 on power bills. For example, a new Energy Star-rated refrigerator uses 40% less energy than a traditional one that was manufactured in 2001.

* Heating and air conditioning: A programmable thermostat set 8 degrees lower in winter and 4 degrees higher in summer for eight hours during the day and 10 hours at night will save the average homeowner $150 a year.

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SEPT. 16 / DIY home selling means homework

Selling your home without a real estate agent can potentially save you thousands of dollars in commission. But be forewarned: Do-it-yourself home selling is not for everyone. Homeowners should consider whether they have the time and energy to handle calls and visits from potential buyers, make up fliers and put up signs. And they must decide whether they can pay for ads. If you’re ready to try, here are some tips:

* Research the market: Websites such as those operated by Trulia Inc., CataList Homes Inc., Zillow Inc. and ZipRealty Inc. offer free information about recently sold homes, average time on market, price trends and other market information that was previously available only to brokers.

* Seek out help: Discount brokers will help on a fee-for-service basis as will services such as Assist-2-Sell Inc., Forsalebyowner.com Corp., FSBO Inc., Help-U-Sell, Housepad.com, Redfin Corp. and RealUmbrella Inc. Be ready to hire an attorney if the transaction is complicated.

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SEPT. 30 / Here’s help on finding extra help

Hiring a personal assistant can make your life a lot easier, but it can also empty your wallet. Here are some ways to get extra help without breaking the bank:

* Consider a virtual assistant: Virtual personal assistants such as Asksunday.com or Redbutler.com are inexpensive -- starting about $30 a month -- and are good for anything that can be accomplished over the phone or Internet, such as researching travel plans, making appointments or restaurant reservations, buying tickets and getting directions.

* Watch the bottom line: In-the-flesh personal assistants start at about $25 an hour. Check to see whether the service bills by the hour or in 15- or 30-minute increments; shorter intervals can save you money. Some services have a two-hour minimum.

* Ask about driving: If you want the service to drive you to appointments or the airport or drive your car anywhere, check in advance to make sure it will do this.

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OCT. 14 / Right moves for first-time renters

For young people in Southern California, renting that first apartment can be a daunting prospect. For starters, rents are high. And a first-timer may not have the credit history or references that landlords usually want. Here’s how to get the keys:

* Act professionally when meeting a landlord: Although you may not have established credit, prove you’re responsible by talking about leadership positions held at school or in the community. Also consider bringing your parents to an apartment viewing -- instead of your friends.

* Check it out: Drive by a rental prospect at different times of day to help assess the safety and traffic patterns. And don’t assume that amenities such as a parking spot and storage space are included.

* Be ready to pay: Expect the landlord to ask for a credit check, a security deposit and first month’s rent.

* Stay within your budget: No more than one-third of your gross income should go to rent.

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OCT. 28 / Face death as a smart shopper

Planning your own funeral can save your bereaved loved ones a lot of money at a time when they are most vulnerable. Do it now, and they’ll probably thank you later.

* Comparison shop: If you call a funeral home and ask about prices, the staff has to give them to you, even if you don’t disclose your name or telephone number. If you visit in person, funeral homes are also required to give you a detailed price list.

* Consider third-party sellers: You have the right to buy some items, such as caskets and urns, from outside providers.

* Get it in writing: Before you buy, all the goods and services you’ve chosen must be detailed in a written statement that shows the cost of each item. If an item is required because of a law or cemetery requirement, that must be noted.

* Set up a payable-upon-death bank account: This kind of account, also known as a Totten trust, is a fund paid upon death to a designated beneficiary, outside of probate, to cover funeral expenses.

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NOV. 4 / Take care getting long-term policies

Long-term-care insurance can offer needed protection and peace of mind in an era of greater longevity and rising healthcare costs, but some experts warn consumers to proceed with caution. Most policies reserve the option to hike premiums, and rate increases as high as 40% have shocked purchasers. Here are some tips for consumers considering these policies:

* Limit your benefits: Accepting higher deductibles and limiting the length of time covered can substantially cut annual premiums. Few people need their benefits for more than five years.

* Don’t skip inflation protection: Over time, unprotected benefits can shrink drastically in value and out-of-pocket expenses will soar. AARP recommends protection that covers inflation at the rate of 5% a year.

* Do your homework: Select an agent who is part of your community and who sells policies for more than one firm.

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NOV. 18 / Buy a car without being run over

Buying a new car can be a nerve-racking experience for many people. It’s easy to see why: You may buy only a few new cars over your life, but the dealer is selling vehicles every day. Here are some ways to help even the odds:

* Do your homework: Narrow your choices by researching models and trim lines at manufacturer and consumer websites. Compare prices online and check newspaper ads for deals. Auto shows can be good places to see the latest models without sales pressure.

* Know your credit: Be sure you can qualify for a loan and know your credit score before stepping on a dealer’s lot. Get pre-qualified from a lender or a credit union so you have an alternative if you don’t like the dealer’s financing.

* Go for a ride: Always take a test drive and try to do it without the salesperson so you can keep your focus on the driving experience, not the sales pitch.