Want to throw a great New Year's Eve party? The cheapest, most sure-fire way to get everyone comfortable and having fun is to ask them to pitch in on small tasks. Asking guests to put up decorations, mix drinks or set out napkins will get everyone relaxed and socializing quickly.

Entertaining company for New Year's? Stretch your food budget. Put out fewer appetizers per tray and fill the empty space with inexpensive lettuce leaves. Bulk up the buffet by adding bowls of chips and pretzels throughout.

You may already clean out your clothes dryer's lint trap, but keep its outside exhaust vent clean,

too. It will prevent fires and reduce drying time. Also, be sure the dryer is at least four inches away from the wall so the exhaust vent doesn't rip or get kinked.

Champagne is cheapest in December. If you're a fan, stock up now.

Think you're saving money by not springing for new snow tires this year? A crash due to bald tires might change your mind. A totaled car, skyrocketed insurance bills and a trip to the hospital will cost much more.

Turn bedtime into inexpensive Christmas family entertainment with books you already own. Wrap one bedtime story for every night that remains before Christmas and place it under the tree. Make sure the last book, to be read on Christmas Eve, is "The Night Before Christmas." The kids will enjoy unwrapping one "present" each night as you count down to the big event.

If you or your dependent are applying for college, file for financial aid, even if you don't think you'll get it. Every student with a Social Security number in New York State is entitled to at least a small amount of help.

Taking a road trip for the holidays? Those hanging pocket shoe organizers make for great storage. Throw it over the back of the seat to store things like travel tissues, snacks and the kids' toys.

Why invest in a dry-erase board when you've got a perfectly good mirror in your bathroom? Use a

standard dry erase marker to leave yourself or your family messages and reminders on the mirror. It's one place you're sure to look before leaving the house.

Trying to cut back on holiday shopping? Turn being a cheapskate into a competition. See who can find the least expensive present that meets the highest quality standards. Extra points go to re-gifters and whoever snags the deepest-discounted item.

Moving away? Don't forget to pack your Yellow Pages. It will come in handy later when you want to

send correspondence to the friends you're leaving behind. It will also help you keep track of the banks, schools and companies you've done business with in the past.

Close the heating duct in your guest room. The same goes for any other unused rooms. If there's a room you use rarely, keep the vent closed until you're ready to spend time there. It will heat up quickly, and is more efficient than heating it constantly when not in use.

Decorating for the holidays? String LED lights this year. They last longer than traditional lights and were found by Consumer Reports to save up to $11 in electricity each season.

Want to make the most of that $10 hunk of open gourmet cheese you bought? Store it in aluminum foil. It will stay at peak quality longer and resist growing mold.

Avoid lines at the post office by ordering stamps and shipping labels online at www.usps.com. Your mail carrier will even deliver them free!

When doing laundry, keep the dryer's lint filter clean so the air can circulate easily. The machine will run more efficiently, cutting down on utility bills and preventing expensive repairs. It also keeps the machine from catching fire, as dryer lint is highly flammable.

Cutting back on your budget doesn't mean you have to give up dining out altogether. Check Web sites such as Foupons.com and Restaurant.com for great deals at Western New York restaurants. You can print out coupons for complimentary dishes and even buy hugely discounted gift certificates.

Why buy new books, CDs, DVDs and video games when you can trade the old ones? SwapTree.com allows users to create lists of wanted items and those available for trade, then helps them coordinate swaps with other users. The site is free --- all you pay is standard Post Office "media mail" shipping costs.

Ever seal an envelope, then realize you forgot to include something inside? Next time, place the envelope in the freezer. It will unseal easily after an hour or two. It sure beats ripping the envelope open and wasting a stamp.

Get more out of your store-bought frosting by whipping it in your mixer for a few minutes. It will expand, so you will be able to frost twice as many cookies or cupcakes with the same amount of frosting.

Search your wallet for any unused gift cards you might have received last year. You'll want to use them up before they begin losing value. Many retailers have a one-year usage limit before penalizing the cardholder.