It’s a new year. Holiday decorations are packed away, diets are being adjusted to compensate for all those late night holiday soirees and chances are – your credit cards are in need of a serious holiday detox.

If you’re starting 2009 strapped for cash, you’re not alone. Chances are your friends and family are too. Heck, in this economy – your hairstylist, dentist, next door neighbor and even your rich Aunt Sally are also feeling a little light on funds.

However, as a fabulous female in your twenties – there is no reason to let this detox period affect your social life. Here are a few ideas to get you out of the house, looking marvelous and maybe even add some fun items to your new year wardrobe.

Host a Clothing Swap

It’s a new year, which means it’s time to clear the clutter and clean out your closet! The general rule is that if you haven’t worn it in over a year – chances are you won’t wear it again.

Enlist a group of your girlfriends for their own closet cleaning missions and then get together for a Saturday afternoon of cocktails, catching up and trying on your new fabulous finds! Or visit a website such as http://www.meetup.com/ to find a fun group of girls in your area. The website is designed as a way to meet new people and the groups are always looking for event organizers. Join a group and volunteer to host an event! You’ll have fun while you save and are bound to make some great new friends.

Still have some old but fab pieces left over?

Visit a chain such as the Buffalo Exchange (http://www.buffaloexchange.com/) where quality items can be bought, sold and even traded right in the store! What better way to do your part for mother nature than to recycle your old jeans into a new Saturday night cocktail dress? You may even walk away with more cash in your pocket than you started with!

Dine out for Lunch, Stay in for Dinner

Dying to check out the new hot spot in town? You can experience the same delicious cuisine over lunch and save yourself up to 40% off of dinner prices in some areas. Most restaurants experience a lighter flow of customers during the day and thus lower their lunch prices to attract more traffic. Take advantage of the prices and get a group together for a lunch date.

Note: If you absolutely must frequent the place in the evening – check out their happy hour specials and dinner menu beforehand. It’s better to arrive prepared than to have to whip out the plastic to pay at the end of the meal.

Coupon. It’s no longer a dirty word.

Coupon clipping. Our mothers do it. Our grandmothers do it. And chances are, so did their mothers. Coupon clipping is the time tested way of saving a buck and in an economy like this – there is no reason to turn down those extra pennies. I’m not saying you should tear out your 10% off coupon and throw it at your waiter the next time you dine out, but you should browse the following websites and discover many fabulous deals on groceries, cleaning supplies, toiletries and restaurants. You can even get free samples and various discounts at online retailers:

http://www.coupons.com/
http://www.retailmenot.com/
http://www.shopittome.com/
http://www.couponmom.com/

These are just a few fun ideas to get you thinking about ways to keep your calendar full, but not go into the red in the process. There are tons of creative ways to still have fun with your friends, but stick to a budget. For example, instead of doing a monthly dinner with the girls, host an International Potluck Dinner Series, and designate each of your friends to bring a dish catering to that month’s cuisine. (Italian is my favorite – and possibly the easiest). Also, “Game Nights” are becoming increasingly popular and are a great way to save cash, spend time with friends and hey, may even give you a chance to get close to the cute guy you’ve been lusting after. Twister, anyone?

Creative thinking can lead you to big times savings – which both you and your pocket book will benefit from. Wondering what to do with your extra cash on hand? Consider putting some toward your credit cards to pay down existing balances. Keeping half for yourself and putting half towards bills or in a savings account will keep you feeling satisfied and accomplished!