For about $1.69 a day you can buy a PowerBar and go for a ride 
.
if money is a concern
get a wheelbuiilder.com cover for your rear wheel
a set of bontrager aero TT tires 19mm front 23mm rear
a set of latex tubes
and a used aero helmet.
That could be good for 2 or 3 minutes per 40k potentially.
depending on what cockpit setup you have, a used set of vision tech basebar + aerobars could be a nice improvement as well.
- Bike fit
- Aero helmet
Beyond that, your ātime improvement per dollar spentā drops off dramatically. But, if I had to come up with a #3ā¦ you can often find used power taps online for under $700, which I would consider to be a worthwhile investment.
Def what was said already. Do you have a powermeter? Im going for smut build, with a leader frame. Pretty aero for the money check them out. If your bike is a 76 sa, then go for a leader with a 78 sa. Even if you buy their low level(150bucks) you will still be more aero then most people. Bike makes up for 20% of drag, work on the other 80% first.
aero drink bottle?
2x on that but make it a cliff builder bar more protien
.
I realize if you shine a turd, itās still a turd but I thought with all the experience on this board, I may get some ideas. I just finished my second tri season and I need some advice. I would like to get a new bike, but like many I think, it is not in the cards right now financially. I have an old multisport model cannondale and want to make some upgrades a little at a time. **What should the order of priority be in order to make some improvements in my bike times without getting a whloe new bike. ** Thanks in advance for any help.
IMHO (as the "King of CheapAssAero^tm), it goes like this:
- Body position on the bike. Optimize that FIRST so you can intelligently choose a frame size when it comes time for a new one.
- Make sure there are no unnecessary pieces of equipment or clothing out in the breeze or flapping away.
- Tires and tubes.
- Aero helmet.
- Used deep front wheel and CHAero cover for the rear wheel.
After that, the ābang for the buckā starts getting much lower for additional changesā¦
Yeah, #1 through 10 is ride more. #11 is probably the dork helmet. #12 smart equipment choices - you have to buy tires and tubes anyway, so get some good ones that minimize your Crr and can save you 10w with no other effort or cost (i.e. Bonty RXL Pro with latex tubes, etc.). Wheels (even a cover) would be a very distant choice based on cost vs. time improvement.
The above assumes a reasonably good fit on your tri bike since YOU are 80% of the drag.
I appreciate all the responses (both funny and serious). I should have stated that the given was riding more and riding harder. Iām off to get my Cliff bar and fitting done with an aero helmet on while drinking from my aero bottle with new tires. Thanks again.
Get a professional fit, that way the fitter will better position you and point out the necessary upgrades for your need. That should be your first option. Work on 3 sports + transition and nutrition, do not look at triathlon as a cycling event.
Thanks swimfan. I definitely agree about training for all 4 sports. I had a fitting when I first started but I have definitely changed the way I ride. I have went from not riding at all to 60+ milers frequently. I will go to my LBS next week and get it done.
For about $1.69 a day you can buy a PowerBar and go for a ride
LOL.
You have a site where you give advice about triathlon, but you come here and admit that it is only your second season in triathlon, and ask a fairly basic question about triathlon?
But I am glad to see that you got plenty advice here. 
My site has resources to triathlon information. I post information on my site that is either information I have looked for or I have read that others are looking for. Most of it is pretty basic stuff based on my experiences and what I have learned in my all be it short time training. I am the first to admit that I have plenty to learn and welcome advice from others. Thanks for the input.