Your new paycheck seemed enormous until you started paying your bills. Learn how to stretch that salary with these quick tips.

Whether you have your eye on Metal Gear Solid 4 for PS3, or a pair of Chinese Laundry shoes, it can be tough to fund those self-indulgences on your entry-level income. You don't have to do without-you just need a quick how-to on wringing a few bucks out of an already-tight budget.

Use your free minutes

While you may want to keep in touch with your high school buds, those long distance phone calls can get expensive. Look at your cell and residential phone plans to find out when you get the cheapest minutes. If you have nationwide free minutes on your cell after 9 p.m., ring your friends and family after that time. While you're at it, make sure that you have the cheapest phone plans. You can save $20 or $30 a year just by getting rid of extra features like call waiting.

Map your ATMs

Avoid using private ATMs, period. Go to your bank's website, and memorize the ATM locations near your home and work. Always keep extra cash on hand, just in case. If your bank's no-fee ATM network is anemic, switch banks. You shouldn't have to pay $2 a pop to tap into your own money.

Shop smart

Don't even bother with the department stores at the mall, unless you head straight for the clearance racks. Shop consignment stores, garage sales, outlets, and stores that sell "brand names for less." Implement a similar strategy with your food shopping; if chicken is on sale for $1.99 per pound, eat chicken. If you can't cook, you'll have to learn. Search the web for free recipes in lieu of buying cookbooks.

Wait for the rental

Not every film has to be seen in the theater. Be selective about your trips to the movie house; you can see the same motion picture for a lot less if you wait until it's available as a rental. You might even be able to see it for free if your local library offers movie check-outs. When you splurge and head to the Cineplex, get your candy and popcorn fix ahead of time. There's no reason to pay $5 for a box of Lemonheads when you can buy them at the store for $1. You can also pop your own popcorn for less than it would set you back at the concession stand.

Pack your lunch

Packing your lunch saves you money and it's good for you, too. Eating a turkey sandwich every day instead of a hamburger has some immediate economic benefits, but it also might lower your healthcare expenses later in life.

Finally, set savings targets for yourself and keep track of the money you put away. Once you reach a target, reward yourself with that video game or those strappy sandals-but don't forget to shop around for the best price.