by Sommer Winters

Created on: January 19, 2009

If Americans would save half as much as we excessively spend, we would not be experiencing such a problem with debt.

Beginning a winning savings plan is not as painful as you may think. For years, I didn't save because I thought that what I could afford to put away wouldn't make a difference. Well, if I had put away that amount of money on a consistent basis for 10 years, I'd have a lot more money than I do now!

Here are just a few suggestions on how you can begin a pain-free savings regimen that you can live with:

1) Fudge your checkbook on purpose. For instance, if your trip to the grocery store cost you $20.19 on your debit card, record $21.00. Some banks actually created accounts that do a variation of this, so that just goes to show how helpful it really is. By the end of the month, those extra cents that you rounded up could actually add up to big dollars.

2) Bank savings from grocery store and pharmacy trips. Many chain stores have exclusive savings cards for members, like CVS and Jewel Osco. At the bottom of your receipt, you'll see how much money you saved by using your card. Instead of just looking at that number and patting yourself on the back for being such a savvy shopper, why not really
save it?

3) Clip a few coupons. Yes, you probably used to get frustrated with the little old lady at the grocery store searching for that one coupon for her mayonnaise, but clipping coupons is actually a great way to save money on things you're going to buy anyway.
It takes a little extra time and some level of nerve to face the long line of shoppers behind you, but it's so worth it in the long run.

4) Trim the number of times you eat out for lunch. If going cold turkey (no pun intended) seems too daunting, challenge yourself to bring your lunch just one day a week to start. At the end of the month, you should notice a few extra dollars in your bank account.
Move that amount over to your savings account and shoot for adding another day.

5) Keep the change. If you pay for something in cash and get coin change back, take it out of your wallet and put it in a jar or piggy bank at the end of the day. It may be tempting to reach in your pocket for those 4 cents so you don't have to break another dollar, but don't. This simple habit can easily add up to $10 - $20 per month cash in the bank.

Getting into the habit of saving can be tough, but it is truly addictive. You know how you had that one uncle who always used to brag about "making good time" on road trips? It gives you that kind of feeling, so tell your friends and family to beware of the mad saver that's been unleashed from within!

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