2017 is well under way, and there are plenty of New Year's resolutions that have been broken by now. The calendar is a great guideline for plans and promises, but thankfully, it's not the end-all-be-all.

If you ended last year by promising yourself that you'd save money and find ways to make your household budget more efficient, it is certainly not too late.

There are plenty of ways to cut costs all year long, and we've got some great ideas to get you started!

Plan Proactively

When expenses come up unexpectedly, they can instantly derail your budget.

Before you get hit with huge bills, put a schedule in place to help take care of regular maintenance needs before they spiral out of control.

On your list, be sure to include:

• Oil changes and car tune-ups
• Home & roof inspections
• HVAC upkeep
• Landscaping

As you evaluate the expenses your household incurs on a regular basis, be sure to include those items, as well. Do you need a babysitter on a regular or occasional basis? Are you eating out from time to time? The more planning you can do proactively, the less likely you are to be hit by unexpected expenses.

Divvy Down on Dollars Spent

This should be an easy one, but most people find it harder than they anticipate. Figure out where you're spending unnecessary dollars that could be saved by changing your habits.

Do you buy a cup of coffee every morning on your way to work? Invest in an at-home coffee maker with a timer so your brew is still fresh and inviting the moment you walk out the door.

Are you guilty of out-to-lunch indulgences? Pack your lunch four times a week, and track the difference it makes to your bottom line.

Does your car really need premium gas? If not, you could save a boatload by downgrading your petroleum grade.

Carpool

Speaking of increasing gas efficiency, have you considered reaching out to your colleagues to see if anyone would be interested in cutting their costs, too? If you and a colleague have a similar work commute, you could realize substantial savings by hitching a ride with each other on alternating days or weeks.

If you work close enough to your workplace to walk, put your feet to work! Your body and wallet will both thank you in their own ways when the workweek is done.

Increase Efficiency

Inefficient houses can cost homeowners plenty of money. If your energy bill is crying for help, consider investing in energy-efficient upgrades. For example, new appliances could save you a ton of money in the long run.

Leaky spaces and drafty places could also be costing you a ton of money. Seal up cracks and eliminate drafts with proper insulation.

Ready to put some cents and dollars back in your bank account? Download our First Quality Roofing & Insulation Free Ultimate Money-Saving Guide to learn tips and tricks that can help you reduce utility costs, embrace banking extras, and stash away savings!