Comments on: Six Ways to Force Yourself to Save

By: Persephone

Persephone — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 13:48:21 +0000

I have authorized my mortgage lender to deduct an additional sum from my bank account each month to apply towards principal.

By: Beth

Beth — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:09:56 +0000

This article was a good one because it made me think about how my kids approach the concept of saving. They each have savings accounts that they contribute to with birthday money. We talk about watching what we are spending and the value of money, however, what we haven’t done is sit down and talk about what saving is all about, if we put so much away each month, etc. I also think if we (as parents) model “saving” behavior – it will make a great impression right now – since they are 8 and 10 years old.

By: Diane

Diane — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:43:32 +0000

For automatic savings – You can set up a savings account at INGDirect.com with an automatic savings deposit when linked to your checking account.

It’s only paying 1.49% now, but you can use it to get money into savings and later use it to buy cd’s, or whatever you decide.

You can even set up sub-accounts for different purposes – Christmas, new car fund, etc.

ING also has cds available, but again, the rates aren’t great right now. I’m using the savings rather than lock my money in at a low rate.

By: Svetik

Svetik — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:20:04 +0000

I use direct deposit into different checking accounts. This way I have no choice but to only spend lets say 150 and 60 in the other and the rest — unaccessible. It works wonders if I overspend – I can go without my other need or risk overdraftingmy account. But I also believe in checking account cushions. My 0 is 100.00 . Fees to me is like pulling teeth. ATM use is rare. I also have been known to cut cards to not access my money.

By: Ann

Ann — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:29:47 +0000

LOL The places I go take credit cards, so I leave them at home and carry just $10 with me or whatever I figure I need for whatever I’m purchasing. Works for me.

I do a lot of buying on-line and, as a result, get a lot of ads in my emails. I delete them without looking at them unless the banner says some big discount on everything and I’m currently thinking about purchasing something from that outlet. Then, I check it out, check out pricing elsewhere and still think about it before I purchase.

By the time I left corporate I had two very small mortgages on my two homes because I had been paying extra principle for years. That’s part of the reason it was so easy to pay them both off when I sold the one I no longer wanted for my new life. Plus, it saves you a boatload of interest over the life of the mortgage.

Automation is definitely a key. Frequently you can split some into savings, some into investing, etc., etc. like others have said.

I used to have excess come out for taxes, but a word of warning is necessary here. Some states are in a lot of trouble and, I believe, California is considering (if they haven’t done it already) simply handing out i.o.u.’s, so I wouldn’t recommend paying any extra into any state right now. When I received my tax refunds, they automatically went into cd’s or investments or paid for a major purchase I’d been planning on.

Believe it or not, it’s not such a bad idea to have a “Christmas savings club” account. Putting a bit in every week or whatever and then holding to that for your Christmas spending can do a lot towards not running up those credit cards at Christmas and being shocked when the bills come in in January.

By: Carl

Carl — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:28:05 +0000

Dave I like the ant and grasshopper story about your sons. These simple ways of saving are great words of advice and have merit. When your spending dollars it’s real money and not just numbers.

By: Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck

Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:27:18 +0000

While perhaps too obvious, automation is the key for most prospective savers. Since you can’t spend what you don’t seem, any amount that is automatically deducted from your paycheck or checking account (e.g., 401(k) contributions, IRA contributions) tends to be relatively painless. Double-bonus: you’re automatically paying yourself first.

By: Dana

Dana — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:57:26 +0000

Some work places also directly deposit a portion of your salary into a retirement saving account. Automation saves you the energy to do it yourself. What’s not there, you cannot spend.