Editor's note: This article appears in Kiplinger's special issue Success With Your Money.
1. Start an automatic savings or investment plan with a bank, a mutual fund or your retirement plan at work so money is taken off the top of your paycheck, before you see it or spend it.
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Set Off on the Right Foot |
| Row 1 - Cell 0 | Ten Tricks to Help You Save More |
| Row 2 - Cell 0 | Success With Your Money Special Issue |
2. Deposit your paycheck directly to savings rather than to your checking account. You can transfer money to pay your bills, but you'll think twice about withdrawing additional cash.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
3. Limit yourself to one ATM withdrawal per week, and make your cash last.
4. Subtract credit-card purchases from your checking account immediately so you're not surprised when the bill arrives.
5. When you subtract a check from your account, round up the amount to the next dollar. That way, you'll always have a slush fund.
6. Can't decide whether to buy something you've seen at a store? Give yourself a 24-hour cooling-off period. Chances are you won't go back.
7. Buy a couple of storage bins -- even a shoebox will do -- into which you can toss credit-card and ATM receipts. That simple step will help you get organized -- and give you a visual record of your spending.
8. Toss spare change into a jar on your desk or dresser. You'll watch your money grow to hundreds of dollars a year, which you can deposit into your savings account (or use to buy the item you passed up in tip number 6).
9. Each time you resist the temptation to buy a latte or go to a movie, put the money you would have spent into your cash jar. It's an immediate reward for self-discipline.
10. Once you finish paying off a loan or credit-card balance, keep making payments and put the money in a savings or investment account.
-
Don't Overpay the IRS: 6 Tax Mistakes That Could Be Raising Your BillTax Tips Is your income tax bill bigger than expected? Here's how you should prepare for next year.
-
Flashback Finance: The Cost of Retiring the Year You Were BornJust like groceries, gas and home prices, the cost of retiring is subject to inflation. Here is a look at what it cost to retire in the year you were born.
-
How One Hospital Visit Overseas Could Wreck Your FinancesProper planning can give you peace of mind and protection, regardless of what happens on your trips.
-
9 Types of Insurance You Probably Don't NeedFinancial Planning If you're paying for these types of insurance, you may be wasting your money. Here's what you need to know.
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online BargainsFeature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2026Roth IRAs Roth IRAs allow you to save for retirement with after-tax dollars while you're working, and then withdraw those contributions and earnings tax-free when you retire. Here's a look at 2026 limits and income-based phaseouts.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnbreal estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute VacationTravel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
-
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?insurance When assessing how much life insurance you need, take a systematic approach instead of relying on rules of thumb.
-
When Does Amazon Prime Day End in October? Everything We Know, Plus the Best Deals on Samsonite, Samsung and MoreAmazon Prime The Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale ends soon. Here are the key details you need to know, plus some of our favorite deals members can shop before it's over.
-
How to Shop for Life Insurance in 3 Easy Stepsinsurance Shopping for life insurance? You may be able to estimate how much you need online, but that's just the start of your search.
