BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) - By making eight simple changes in your home, whether you rent or own —you can save up to $368 or more per month.

Here are eight easy money-saving techniques that can help you stay on budget in 2012.

• Ditch cable (average savings per month, $92) — Many pay an average $100 per month for cable television and maybe more for DVR service to watch their favorite programs later. Why not consider services like Hulu Plus or Netflix? It’s easy to connect your computer to your television and shows when it’s convenient for you.

• Space-by-Space Heat (average monthly savings, $17) — Energy bills run, on average, $183 per month. By using a space heater in the rooms where you need it and setting the thermostat to 62 degrees, you can save approximately $200 each year.

• Cut the Phone Cord (average monthly savings, $35) — With all of the functionality of smart phones, a landline may be unnecessary.

• Energy Efficient Light Bulbs (average monthly savings, $3) — It may not seem like much but, replacing light bulbs with an Energy Star-qualified light bulb can save $6 per year, and nearly $40 over its lifetime. And they will last six times longer. For example, if you have six lamps in your apartment, you can save $3 per month. It may not seem like a lot, but the savings will add up over time.

• Skip the Hot Water (average monthly savings, $6) — Do laundry in cold water rather than hot, you can reduce energy usage by 90 percent and can save $72 per year and your clothes will be just as clean.

• Work Out in Comfort (average monthly savings, $65 — Skip the gym membership and save up to $775 per year. Consider running and or other exercises you can do at home.

• Use Your Kitchen (average monthly savings, $144) — The average American eats out 6 times per month. Eat out just once a month and cook at home instead.

• Pull the Plug (average monthly savings, $6) — By unplugging appliances and electronics when you are not using them, you can save a bundle on energy. Unplugging one fax machine, one computer monitor, and one television can save $70 per year. Just turning it off is not enough.