What percentage of your income do you manage to save? Hopefully 10-20%, but some people have discovered how to stash away up to 60%
of their income- without denying themselves the niceties of life, and we'll tell you just how they've done it.
The basics of saving, such as an emergency fund, contributing to your 401K, and your children's college accounts are hard enough as it is. But
could you actually stash away 1/3 to 1/2 of your take home money and earn the coveted title of Super Saver? Here are the guidelines.
1. No large "off the cuff" purchases.
Wait a while to stew over large purchases. You may realize you don't actually need the item as much as you thought you did. Large doesn't just
mean that new car that costs $20,000. For Super Savers a large purchase can be considered anything over $100. Wait a few months. Only
when you have the cash saved and deem the item a necessity should you take the leap to buy.
2. Goals are your friend, embrace them.
If you set a goal, odds are you'll be more successful in saving for it. Make annual goals that may include, for example, how much you'd like to
save for retirement, for family vacation, for a child's education fund, or for next Christmas. Label the accounts. Your account named "Joey's
Tuition" will be much less likely to be ignored than an anonymous savings account #4. Be sure to set an appropriate amount of realistic goals.
3. Pay attention to detail.
Though cutting out a few dollars here and there won't help much if you're constantly trading your car in for a newer model every other year or
decide to purchase that $300,000 home instead of the comparable $200,000 one; if you can get a hold of the larger money suckers- the
smaller leaches will make themselves known and you'll realize just how hard that $8 coffee is nipping you in the bud. Be creative when it comes
to small savings. Grow a garden and build yourself a chicken coop to save at the grocery store. Cover the windows with sheets and make
yourself a deluxe theatre setting at home without the $8 movie ticket expense.
4. Saving is much easier when it's automatic.
Take advantage of technology today where you can have $200 transferred into your high yield savings or money market account without a hint
of effort. Make sure to increase the transferred amount the instant you get a raise. The beauty of it is that you can't miss what you don't see.
And best of all, you can't spend it either!
Take the challenge to become a Super Saver. If you haven't already, open a high yield money market account , a savings account, or high interest CD account today and
whip that dusty savings budget into the shape. You'll be thanking yourself for years to come. Retirement comes sooner than you think.
