Repaying or saving? Which is more difficult?

[crosses]

I have a friend that is good at not getting into debt, but can't seem to save money. I know this is better than being in debt, but it is hard for me to understand why she can't put something away for the future. Do others have this problem? Is there anything I can suggest to help her get started on saving?

[Tree0164]

Pay yourself first. Do an automatic savings plan like a 401k, or every pay you automatically transfer x amount in to savings.

Some people think that they really live paycheck to paycheck but most folks do have a little nudge room-they just may not want to look at it.

[terry1156]

People settle into the the amount of money they have. That is why many people feel they are still living paycheck to paycheck even after they get a raise. One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was to bank any pay raise you ever get. That is, whenever you get a raise, whatever the raise was for, predend you didn't get it and put that amount of money in savings. You are living won raise behind instead of one ahead like most people and you will have plenty of savings by retirement age.

[marla]

I think that it is true. I have this problem. I settle into the amount I'm making and it is difficult for me to save. I need to work on this more.

[Bev S]

Me too! I settle into the amount I'm making. My hubby got a new job last fall and was making more money than we ever did before. Well, we bought two new vehicles and now we actually have less money than we ever did before!!! We definitely needed the new cars, but there still should be more money at the end of the month than there is