OK, we all go to eBay to save money. This little guide is designed to help you accumulate savings, not just to buy things for less.

The key to saving is habit and discipline. This is simple, but not always easy.

Without fail, you must set aside some money every time you get some. Maybe you can save a percentage, maybe you can save a small set amount. You have to start somewhere. Why not start here?

The next thing to remember is that you can't go back and spend it later. This is not a question of saving it on Monday so you'll have some on Saturday. This is a question of putting some aside in 2006, so you'll have some in 2020. And, yes, most of us are going to be here in 2020 and we'll still need money.

Many people will say "I am going to start saving when I make a little bit more. This is a sad mistake. Avoid it. Start saving NOW. If you save when you can't afford it, you will build the habit so that you can save when you have more. That will be nice, when your income jumps. It will also be nice if something bad happens.

You can't have too much in savings. It isn't possible.

If you find yourself accumulating a lot of money, take it from your savings account and invest it, but invest carefully.

You may have to pay off some debts before you can really get going on your savings plan. But doi not wait until you have to start. It is worth the cost to start now and get some momentum going.  The little bit extra you pay in interest on those debts will be a good incentive to avoid running them back up.

Set some goals. Save for sepcific purchases, but also save for the pure pleasure of it. Try to figure out how much you'd like, realistically, to have by the end of this year. Now how much can you save each week to get there? Can you do that? If you are ready to try and ready to stay focussed, you may be able to. Then set a goal for two years, then five. Make this a promise to yourself. Keep that promise.

Where will this money come from? You have to figure that out, but chances are you will either have to earn more or give something up.  You can decide which or you can do both. Just Start Saving.

Good luck and Stay Focussed.

WT