Southampton - It's the start of a new year and we all know what that means: time to make some resolutions. We'll confidently pronounce our vow to shape up, eat right, save more money and cut out the excesses so we can be a better version of ourselves in 2011. Alas, best intentions aside, we're all prone to the "resolution slide" - that gradual decline in dedication which creeps in as the year wears on. (For evidence, compare traffic levels at the gym on January 2 and February 2).

Fortunately, from a financial perspective, there are easy steps you can make to help get your house in order. These require little time commitment, so no excuses.

Stop Paying ATM Fees. Withdrawing from an ATM outside of your bank's network commonly results in a fee of a few dollars. If your own bank tacks on a surcharge for going out of network (many do) you could be looking at an overall cost of $4 or more per transaction. If you make two such transactions per week, you're shelling out $416 over the course of a year just to retrieve your own money. A better option is to work with a national bank that has a large network conveniently located ATMs or with local bank or credit union that has formed alliances to grant you no-charge ATM usage.

Don't Overpay Your Taxes. That rebate check you got from the IRS last spring was like free money, right? Wrong. It's actually reflective of the fact that you overpaid your taxes throughout the year, in essence giving the government an interest-free loan. Don't make the same mistake again. Work with a qualified tax professional to adjust your withholdings so you receive only a small refund on your taxes. That way, throughout the year, you can put your money to better use through investments that offer compounding and greater returns over time.

Look For Package Deals. Get an estimate on the cost of consolidating your home phone, Internet access and long distance, cell phone plans with one provider. Do the same for insurance; look for a carrier who will reward you for bundling your car, life and home insurance policies with them. Do the math to make sure you're getting a good deal in exchange for your loyalty.

Check Your Credit. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies - Experian, Equifax and TransUnion - every 12 months. Use their online tools to keep an eye on your credit score and report any errors.

Seek Help. A qualified financial advisor can help you create or update a personalized financial plan that includes reviewing your insurance policies, banking relationships, investments, loans and budget to help you find everyday savings that could prove valuable.