A couple of months ago, we asked you to share your cost-savings ideas for our contest to win one of our Quick-E! clinical reference books. We received dozens of entries and picked what we thought were the best strategies to implement quickly and easily. Congratulations to Terri Johnson, Marfy Yanac, Betty Gregg, Donna Label, and Laura Webb for having the most creative methods for saving your pennies during this tough economic time.

So what do they suggest? The following are some easy strategies you can implement into your daily life, and encourage others to do the same–it’s more fun when you include coworkers and friends.-

1. Take advantage of the weather

Take walks with friends or pets to help curb shopping and other spending urges. It’s a great way to socialize and get some exercise into your day. Also, take up a hobby, such as gardening. Cultivate a garden alone, or create a community spot with some neighbors and make it a social activity. Explore your area and find out whether any farmer’s markets are in your area–they’re a great place to spend some time and get some deals on produce.

2. Organize pot lucks

Instead of going out to dinner or getting take out, pool friends or coworkers together and organize a weekly potluck. At work, you can heat up the meals and have them available for an entire shift. Use a theme for the food, such as Mediterranean style, and encourage people to bring something healthy. Not only will you have a good, nutritious meal at work, but the potluck will bring people together and serve as a great way to relieve some stress.

3. Be efficient with household chores

Washing those scrubs can be a drain on your utilities budget. So turn scrubs inside out and wash in cold water–not only will you save some dough, but you’ll prevent fading. Instead of using a dryer, hang them on hangers to dry or lie them flat to prevent wrinkling. Don’t forget to make lunch at home instead of buying it every day, and fill up that water bottle instead of buying beverages at work.

4. Save the environment, save your wallet

Speaking of refillable water bottles, encourage everyone at work to use them. You will all save money and prevent waste. Don’t have the best tap water? Have everyone contribute toward a water filter for the faucet or use a filtered pitcher.

5. Don’t break those bills

We all need a treat now and then–a latte in the morning, maybe a candy bar in the afternoon–but don’t allow yourself to break bills–especially twenties–to buy those treats, and don’t use credit cards on such small purchases. Instead, keep a piggy bank at work or at home. Save up your change from bigger purchases and use it for days when you need a bit of a pick me up.