5 big expenses and how to beat them

Projected increase: 2.5% to 3.5%

Ways to save money: Clip coupons, buy store brands, find sales in circulars

Food prices are rising, often because of factors out of anyone's control. The cost to deliver groceries to stores depends on gasoline prices, and farmers have suffered as bad weather curtailed crop production. As a result, consumers are looking for ways to save money on food.

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Projected increase: North America short-haul economy class, 2% to 5%; North America long-haul economy class, 0.5% to 3.5%

Ways to save money: Fly on off-peak days and times, try low-cost carriers, shop around, buy tickets early

The cost of air travel is on the rise. The number of aircraft is dropping by about 2% this year from 2011 (and with the drop, the number of seats). In turn, consumers are paying more to fly.

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Projected price: $3.74 a gallon by the end of summer

Ways to save money: Combine errands on one trip, check tire pressure, carpool

Thanks to rising global demand for gasoline and less production, we are paying a lot at the gas pump, and it's not likely to improve much any time soon.

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Projected increase: 4% to 5%

Ways to save money: Get multiple quotes, make your house more disaster-proof, seek a discount with a home security system

With its hurricanes, tornadoes and droughts, 2011 was one of the worst years on record for disasters. Weather-related catastrophes caused almost $35 billion in insured damages and more than $70 billion in economic losses. As a result, homeowners will pay more for insurance this year.

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Projected increase: 33% (AT&T increased the cost of its cheapest data package in January. Verizon had already shelved its unlimited data plan in favor of tiered pricing data plans.)

Ways to save money: Watch for your plan's data cap, use Wi-Fi when available, shop around for data plans

Consumers can't live without their smartphones. But smartphone use is causing congestion on networks, which in turn costs smartphone carriers more. That's why it's a struggle to save money on rising data plan rates.

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