7 painless moves to save $1,000

Do you wish you could save an extra $1,000 this year without downgrading your lifestyle?

It is possible to save big bucks by making small changes in your spending. At first blush, the amounts may not seem like much. However, taken together over the course of a year, they really add up.

Here are seven tips to give yourself a $1,000 raise:

1. Look for discounted dinner entrees Saving money doesn't mean you can't enjoy meals at your favorite restaurants. Discounts can be found in the mail, in your local newspaper or online.

"Before you head out to eat, check out your restaurant online," says Fatima Mehdikarimi, the founder of the coupon Web site The Shopping Queen. "Or, after you arrive, simply ask the manager if they have any special promotions. Don't forget to ask about promotions that are offered on other days or times."

Mehdikarimi notes that one restaurant near her home has a relationship with a local movie theater, and diners can get a discount on a