Ways to keep your wedding day in the black

Here comes the bride? Fortunately, saving money is not as difficult as you think.

Getting married is extremely costly especially if you go the traditional route. When it comes to saving money, stick to the little things and the savings will add up faster than you can walk down the aisle.

Thanks to the Independent Mail, we've compiled some great savings tips that will help keep your white wedding day in the black. Here are our favorites:

Need invitations? Make your own

Invitations can be expensive, especially since the invitations are before the wedding itself. Why not make your own invitations for your special day? Visit an arts & crafts store such as Michaels, or a special paper store. Use software easily found at Staples, and print your own.

Book your wedding off-season

Popular months for wedding include June, July and September. Plan your wedding in the off-season, such as October or an early spring April wedding. This may save you money on the reception.

Let guests take your pictures

Forget the photographer. Place disposable cameras on the dining table, and let your guests take the pictures. Have a basket for the cameras to be dropped into at the end of the reception. Or, maybe you have a friend who is interested in photography. Have him/her take the pictures as a wedding present or for a discounted price.

Tap into family talent

Have a family member who loves calligraphy? Maybe your mom sews or your brother loves to decorate? Tap into this family talent. Maybe your mom would love to make or hem your dress. Would your sister help you with the invitations? Thank you family for being there when we need you.

Consider black-tie alternatives

Want to save money for you and for your guests? Consider a black-tie alternative. Maybe you are getting married near a beach... have the guests wear khakis and button ups. Maybe your wedding is in the mountains... flannel shirts? It's your wedding and it's OK to be creative.

Tips to save money on pricey car repairs

Have a vehicle in need of repair but unsure of how to save the most money?

Car repairs can be expensive, especially with no insider advice. Fortunately, we've compiled money saving tips from mechanics themselves, from Grismer Tire and Sevoian Cycles. Here are the top five:

Maintenance is key

The most important part of being a car owner is keeping up with the routine maintenance. Make sure to keep fluids in balance, align the tires, check the treads on the tires and check to see if the vehicle gets proper oil changes and tire rotations. Routine maintenance will increase the lifespan of a car dramatically and it will point out any potential future problems.

Compare those prices

Shop around! An article in the Oxford Press mentions RepairPal.com. RepairPal offers a cost estimate for repair and labor based on the zipcode, suspected problem and car's make and model. Just because one car costs $400, another may cost $1000. Makes of cars and engine types can allow for dramatic price differences.

Forget about the dealership

If you're not under warranty from your dealer, you aren't obligated to go back for service. If they offer great service for a great price than definitely go back... but if the price is high, see the above tip and shop around! If the vehicle is an older model, it is known that dealers can pump your tires up, but not all the way, or even influence you to buy a newer car and trade in your older one. Not always the case, but this is an insider tip.

Use coupons

Who knew there are plenty of coupons for cars going around online? Many local shops have coupons for repairs floating around the web. Many other repair deals can be found in newspapers and even phone books. For example, Grismer Tire offers a coupon for a year of free oil changes with the purchase of four tires. The savings? $200.

Chat with the mechanic

Last but not least, talk with your mechanic. The mechanic is not there to frighten you, he is there to answer any of your questions. The And, he knows a lot more about your vehicle than you do. So talk with him. Ask him questions about your car, and ask him questions about his mechanic experience. Try to stay away from the salespeople, they are there to sell you new services that are unnecessary.

Unsure about a repair? Ask to check out the mechanic's report which will show details on how your car compares with dealer's maintanance specifications. Building a relationship with your mechanic will more likely than not grant you several perks and discounts on your next repair.

Student IDs are the ultimate universal coupon

A surprising number of places offer substantial discounts just for flashing a student ID. Even if you don't have one of your own, you can still save by accompanying a student to museums, the movies or on shopping trips. Some universities even extend the benefits of their student discounts to graduates who pay dues to the alumni organization.

Museums typically offer generous student student discounts, but a little known secret for non-students hoping to pay less than face value for admission is the local library. Many libraries, particularly those affiliated with universities, offer discount passes. Patrons can borrow the passes just as if they were books, then the museums charge only a few dollars for admission.

Move theaters, theme parks, local restaurants and grocery stores also offer student or alumni discounts, particularly on a designated day of the week. Universities themselves also provide a lot of free or low-price entertainment such as music recitals, theater and dance performances, and art shows. School amenities like the gym or swimming pool are also typically free to students and open to alumni at a very low cost.

Retailers like Apple are famous for the student discount and back to school free iPod specials, but other retailers that offer discounts to students include the ever popular J. Crew. Many auto insurance companies offer a good student discount for high school and college students with a GPA of 3.0 or above. To find a list of potential discounts, check the alumni association websites of local schools. In some cases, you may not even need to be a student or an alum to benefit.

Here are a few places where your ID comes in handy:

Museums

Museums are great for meeting up with friends, or walking around solo. Most underrated museums give free admission to students. If the museum will not give free admission, expect a hefty discount on your admission.

Movies

What to do on the next rainy day? Head to the movies with a friend. With your college ID, you will save around $2 on your over-priced movie ticket.

Gym Membership

Winter is coming, and the outdoors will no longer be our favorite place for exercise. If you are considering a gym membership, look to your school. Many schools offer a low flat rate on their gym. If your school doesn't have a gym, it will most likely offer discounts at gyms nearby.

Health Services

Most campuses offer many services free of charge. Need cough drops? Need to get tested? Counseling? All are most likely included. You can see a real doctor for free, instead of spending a lot outside of school (if you have no insurance). Just bring your student ID, and you're set.

Restaurants

Hungry? Bring your student ID into town with you. Small private owned restaurants close to campus usually have some serious discounts being offered to those with a student ID.

Auto Insurance

If you are a student, you are eligible to get a discount on your auto insurance. A GPA of 3.0 can get you 10% off with a "Good Student" discount

--Bridget O'Sullivan and Noelle Sevoian