Your Saving $$/Budget tips

[gkashmira]

All of you guys have great tips!

 

I use to do that with my ING and have really slacked... I need to go do it right now!

 

Anyway there's no way I'm cutting out the coffee runs - but at least the local coffee shop I go to is pretty cheap ($1.50 for a large). But I've stopped buying lunch every day and I think that's made a huge difference in the money I have - without even noticing I cut my food expenditure in half!

[LCBride2007]

I agree - I always max out my 401k, that was a lesson my dad taught me. And I contribute monthly to both ING and my mututal fund accounts. And like you said, I have it automatically taken out - when it's not there, you don't notice it! I also have a checking account (in addition to my "regular" checking") that earns a little higher interest, like 2-3% - not bad for checking!

[Sarah]

I do have a 403b through work and also a Roth IRA fund, but I just wish I did better with a general "savings account". Mostly because, like Natasha said, I spend whatever is in my checking account- if I get rid of it before I can spend it I would save so much!

It's just really hard right now with the wedding stuff because as soon as it comes in, it goes right back out!

[TOESNTHESND]

Ok girls we have been good so far and did not buy any starbucks all week! I also bought a "cabo jar" for when we want to buy coffee, we can put the cash we would have spent in the jar. I told his mom this and she decided to include a starbucks gift card with one of his xmas presents. So he can still have a little treat every now and then .

 

I started deferred comp as soon as I started working full time. I put in a percentage, so when I work OT it puts in a little more. I also have PERS retirement that I put $ in and the county matches it. I am going to up the amount I put into savings so I can empty it out for the honeymoon!

[taryn.shorr]

We actually changed banks! Bank of America is promoting "Keep the Change," a checking/savings account combo.

 

Whenever you make debit purchases, it rounds up and adds the change to your savings. We've started using our debit cards for absolutely everything! At the end of the year, as long as you haven't overdrawn, the bank will match up to $250. This is totally free $$$, no catches or fees!

 

We also set up a "Christmas Club" account, where it automatically deducts $100 from each of our paychecks ($50/week each) to deposit into a special savings account. The money isn't available for withdrawal until November (you can close the account in case of financial emergency), and if you manage to not touch it, BofA gives a $100 bonus in December. Many banks have similar programs under different names. Since it's automatically deducted, we honestly don't even miss it...it's $ we would normally spend on crap, like fast food or coffees.