Pay yourself first. You deserve to be paid, first, before any of the bills, credit cards, or other obligations. Put something, no matter how small, away every payday that's intended for you, and your future.

Set up your savings account so it's completely separate and apart from your chequing account. In other words, don't let it be easy to access your savings. Make sure that you have to drive to the bank, get in line, and fill out paperwork to get at your money. That will give you every opportunity to think carefully before you withdraw.

Make automatic deposits to your savings. You can easily set up automatic transfers from the account where your pay cheques are deposited into your savings account. That will ensure some money goes into your savings account on a regular basis.

Learn to live on less. Try 10% at first. Look at your pay cheque. Let's say it's $500 every week. Do you think you could cut back by $50 every week? Too much? What about 5%, or $25? Start slow and easy, then add more to your savings until you get to that magical 10%.

Use a piggy bank. Whenever you get change, pop it into a piggy bank-and not the kind you can just open up from the bottom. Get a ceramic one you have to smash open to claim your coin. Get the whole family involved. Keep track of what everyone puts in, and the one who adds the most, gets to smash open the piggy bank. For even extra savings, don't allow pennies, just nickels and up.

Save with a friend. You go running with a friend, to the movies or out for a Friday afternoon beer, so why not save with a friend? Knowing you're not alone, and talking about the challenges of saving, the things you're trying in order to save, can really keep you on the savings track.

After you pay off a debt, keep paying that same amount into your savings account. If you've lived without that money this long, you can keep living without it, and give your savings a nice boost.

The amount you save doesn't have to be a lot. The secret is regular deposits, not big ones. Even the smallest amounts will add up to big bucks over time. So go at it easy, but keep at it every payday.

We can certainly give the economy the strongest chance of bouncing back by trying to stick to existing spending patterns as much as possible rather than putting our lives on hold or changing our lifestyles whenever the media suggests that it would be prudent to do so. I'm not denying that some belts may need to be tightened but fortunately a lot of this can be done without changing your existing lifestyle.

Let's start with the obvious; electricity and gas. These utilities have been making the papers recently and if the headlines are to be believed then massive increases are unavoidable, however in reality these increases are predominately confined to the basic tariffs the energy companies offer. The truth is that the majority of customers are shouldn't be on these tariffs anyway as they are unlikely to be the most cost effective. Despite the fact that locating the cheapest supplier and tariff then making the change would be unlikely to take more than an hour and could save hundreds, very few have bothered making the effort.

There is a fast selection of price comparisons sites available but my preferred one is currently moneysupermarket.com simply because they have consistently given me the best prices.

This site is split in to sub-categories which will allow you to search for the cheapest deals on the following:

Money - Credit cards, loans, mortgages, current and savings accounts.

Insurance - All the obvious including home, car, life, pet, medical and breakdown.

Travel - Flights, holidays, car hire and hotels

Gas and Electricity - Fairly self explanatory

Communication - Phone, Broadband and Mobile

Only by comparison can you find whether you could be paying less. In just a couple of hours you can establish if you are actually using the most suitable supplier and I think this is definitely a good way to spend the time. I'm confident that practically every reader could still make savings in some areas. Bearing in mind that when doing such comparisons for mortgages, loans and credit cards then a few hours spent checking could potentially save you several thousand pounds.

It would be apt now to mention the old 'a penny saved is a penny earned' maxim however I for one have always found this particular nugget of wisdom to be inaccurate. The hypothetical penny spent would have originally been a greater figure before tax was deducted. Those working within a 22% tax band can consider their penny saved to be the equivalent of 1.22p earned.

Take it slow and easy

Don't try and do everything at once. It's easier to make small changes, and then only one at a time. Add a new change only when you think the old habit has really been set aside, once and for all. Use your new habit to help you quash the old one. Let's say you want to reduce how much you spend at the movies, how many DVDs you rent each week, and how much television you watch. Don't say "no" to all of these things all at once. Try cutting movie going by one-half, DVDs to only weekends, and don't worry about television at first. Once you get the movies and DVDs down pat, then try working on the television viewing. Go slow, and only do as much as you can.

Monitor, monitor, monitor

If you aren't looking at the spending in all your accounts-chequing, credit cards, lines of credit at least every two weeks-and once a week is better-new commitments can easily backslide into old bad habits. And when old debt starts to mount up again, and you feel overwhelmed, it can be all too easy to just give up, and return to all those ways that got you into trouble in the first place. So watch your accounts like the proverbial hawk for old spending habits, and quash them as quickly as you can.

Make the changes that make the difference

The easiest way to keep bad habits from creeping back into your lifestyle is to change them completely. So, keep using cash, or return to using cash, if you've given it up. Don't let yourself start slipping out that credit or debit card-"just this time"-or before you know it, you'll have blown your budget once again. There was life before plastic-and you can survive without it. Lots of people do.

Check it on payday

Monitor your accounts at least every two weeks-payday is a good choice because we never forget that date. Schedule yourself to look at the spending, payments, and balances of all your accounts then-and every time there's a cheque deposited to your account.

It's much easier to look over a few lines on your statement for the week than an entire month's worth (or worse-six months' worth or longer). You can always remember when you pulled out that credit card last week, and make changes to keep you from doing so next week. Do you find yourself always buying expensive extras from the gas stop whenever you fill up? Maybe someone else in the household needs to buy the gas, and you need to stay out of the corner store. But it's a lot easier to keep up the good habits if you're catching and halting the bad ones every week or two and not every month or longer.

Re-committing to good budget habits is just like a fitness routine. Every time you skip one, it's easier to blow the whole thing off-but every time you do a financial work out, you're in better shape for whatever budget issues might come at you in the future.

Cash pockets

Monitor all of your accounts-your chequing, credit cards, lines of credit. Mistakes are often made that could add up to substantial amounts of money. Go back as far as you can with your statements. Check to be sure that you haven't been charged for purchases you did not make, double-charged (it happens), or billed for overdrafts that did not occur. Have these corrected. Reputable institutions will not only reimburse bona fide errors, but they will also often recalculate other charges or penalties and reimburse with interest.

Get rates lowered

Mortgage rates, credit cards, lines of credit. These rates are not written in stone. You can refinance your home over a longer period of time. Even if that costs you a penalty, sometimes you're in a financial straightjacket and it's the best option. Ask your credit card company to lower your interest rates-same with your banker. Explain to each lender that you are in financial difficulty, and need their help. They will be glad to give it to you-it's what they do, after all.

Consider a second job

If things are that tough, consider a second job. If you can, work from home. That way, you can also deduct some of your housing costs-mortgage interest, utilities-from your income tax returns for next year, and save yourself even more money.

Consider your assets

If these other tips are still not enough to make your ends meet, consider a car title loan. It's a good loan to make because it will help you improve your credit score, and you still get to keep your car. It's designed especially for bad credit, or a poor credit score, or bankruptcy. You can apply online, and have a response in as little as 24 hours for up to 40% of the wholesale value of your vehicle. Your loan can even be direct deposited for your convenience. And that could be just enough cash to help you squeeze through this financial tight spot. And the repayment plan is made to work for you, in easy monthly installments.

So, if you've got your budget fundamentals down, but still need a little boost to make ends meet, try these tactics to help you out.

First, get your whole family involved. Budgeting only works when everyone who uses the budget plays a role in figuring out what the spending priorities should be. Now, of course, heads of household have to pay the rent and other bills first, but where other cut backs could be made can be decisions that even the youngest in your family can likely help make. And by bringing everyone onboard, you're more likely to get the support you need when you're facing hard decisions like giving up going out to the movies for at-home DVDs, or heading to the park instead of to the mall.

Next, clean your house. Literally. It's a great way to get everyone involved in turning over a new leaf. Clean up a forgotten room-often, the garage can be a great place to start. Hold a yard sale, and put the money towards a family get-together or special event. It's a great way to bring the family together working toward shared goals.

Then, have every family member choose some way he or she can make a personal contribution to help lower costs around your home. Maybe one person can be responsible to make sure that lights that aren't being used get turned off. Maybe someone else can be sure the thermostats are turned down at night. Younger children can help by cutting out shopping coupons that lower grocery costs-and everyone can agree to drink no-name soda pop, which can cost a fraction of the brand names. Or, hey-cut out the pop altogether and make homemade ice tea or lemonade.

Whatever cost-cutting measures you choose, be sure to share the results every month with your family. Show them the drop in your electricity costs, or how much less the groceries cost, thanks to them. That keeps everyone motivated to keep costs down, and get that debt load under control. You can even offer free rewards to the kids when they come up with cost-saving ideas-let them choose the DVD, or which park you'll go to this weekend. Keeping the whole family involved will get you closer to your goals than if you try to go it alone.

Although it can be difficult to have to admit to your children-people who depend on and look up to you-that things are a bit tight right now, don't overlook the possibility that this admission can bring your kids onboard to help the family save, and bring everyone together as a family working on a shared mission and toward an achievable goal.

It can be hard to know when your children are ready to learn about your financial affairs. Very young children have little idea about money. They just know that it costs money to buy stuff, but how much that is or where that money comes from, are often beyond the understanding of a child under eight years of age or so.

Older children, and particularly teenagers, are another matter. They resent, and can sniff out with disarming accuracy, when they are not being told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. They will also almost certainly already be aware of tension in the household around money matters, and may have a good idea already that times are tight. Letting them in on family finances tells them you have confidence and trust in their ability to understand and participate in what's going on. And, they deserve to know the real reason they cannot go to summer camp, or have the things they see their friends have got.

If you allow your children to participate in family financial planning, they may come up with plenty of ideas to surprise you. Their open minds and wild imaginations can often pay off with truly workable ideas-and their energy can be just the right infusion to help you get in gear, too.

They can price compare like crazy when they shop, searching out the best deals on groceries. Younger children can make a game out of clipping and saving weekly value coupons. Older teenagers may be motivated to pick up a part-time job, and earn their own spending money. And you can reward yourselves as a family by taking everyone out on a free expedition-to the park, instead of to the movies, or to the art gallery, instead of to the mall.

Bring your children in on your financial planning when they're ready for it, at the level they can understand money matters. The returns may really surprise you.

Save a little bit each month

One thing you and your kids can both start is to commit to saving at least a small amount of money each month. Do you give your kids an allowance? Then, you could start there. Depending on how old your kids are, you can have them divvy up their allowance into jars-mad money, saving towards a special purchase, savings to go into the bank, and so on-or if they're old enough, actually tracking their spending and receipts in a log of some kind. Whatever you choose to do, long-term savings that your kids don't touch should be part of the plan. A general guide is 10%.

Save together for something special

If you're planning a family trip, save as a family. Have a jar or envelope where anyone can make a contribution at any time. When you or your kids contribute, mark your contribution on the envelope. Whoever contributes the most (make sure it's proportionate now!) gets extra say on some outing, or gets to choose where you eat, or something else you can do as a family.

Keep it upfront to keep it going

Another trick is to keep the logbook, or the jars, in plain sight where the kids can check on them whenever they want. Don't make money a dark secret to be squirreled away, hidden, or something to be ashamed of. Now that doesn't mean they need to show your family management plan to the neighbors! But make money management as natural as making dinner, or doing homework-something you can talk about, discuss, and plan together. Then, take a page from your kids savings plan. Do the same thing for yourself.

Now you try

Write down what you spend each month, and on what. Reduce every expense that you can-like groceries, mad money, other discretionary spending-by 10 per cent. Sock that money away, just like your kids are doing. You might even have a competition with your kids. See who can find the best way to save. Have a tip jar where the loser has to put in $1.00 and the winner gets to take it out every week, or every month, whatever your finances can afford, and do whatever they want with the winnings. If you make saving money fun, your kids will be glad to do it. They'll learn a really valuable lesson, too. And so will you.

To use the map, there are two main questions that we will ask ourselves: (1) Where are we now? and (2) Where do we want to be? After answering these two questions, we can use the map to answer a third question: How will we get there? We then look at the map to find the best route to take to reach our chosen destination as soon as possible.

In the same manner, we need to apply these three big questions to our financial lives. We need to carefully analyze and reflect upon our current financial positions. Then, we should consider where we would like to see ourselves in the future. Lastly, we will create a map that tells us the best way to get to our goals.

Today, we will look at the first question. Later, we will look at the second and third questions.

Where are we now?

Although many of us are in denial about certain parts of our financial lives, there is always room for improvement. Some characteristics of our spending habits are very obvious, while others are hidden. The only way to make this work properly is to bring everything out into the open.

This is particularly true for spouses. We cannot expect our households to run smoothly if we are keeping financial information from our spouses. Whether good or bad, now is the time to mention everything so that nothing is left off of the financial map.

The critical step that will help us determine where we are now requires us to create four lists: the first two lists show us what we OWN; the last two lists tell us what we OWE.

What do we OWN?

The first list of what we own is a list of our assets. This list includes everything that we have been able to save and/or acquire so far. This would include all banking accounts; personal investment savings and retirement accounts; equity in our homes and vehicles; and the resale value of some personal items.

The second list is a list of our sources of income, such as jobs or pensions. We would also include social security or disability income, as well as other sources, such as child support. Any money that is coming in would be listed here.

What do we OWE?

The first list of what we owe is a list of all debts and expenses. Every dollar spent should be accounted for, including those quick trips through the drive thru or the coffee we pick up on the way to work. We may not have actual figures for every expense, so it is OK to guess at this point. However, it would be good to start tracking spending habits so that the list can be correctly revised later.

The second list is list of irregular expenses. This list is designed to help us identify those irregular payments that we make throughout the year. Examples of this would be our home's property taxes (if not impounded) or the gifts we purchase throughout the year.

These expenses are often the budget busters that throw everything off when not planned in advance. Since they require large amounts of cash within a short period of time, an entire paycheck may disappear at once.

This list should help us avoid that problem in the near future. To help us prepare for those often-unexpected surprises, we should estimate the costs of these expenses. We then divide the total by 12 to get estimated monthly costs so that they can be included in our regular budget.

Completing these four lists can be an eye-opening experience. Although we pay our bills every month, we seldom take the time to add up all of our expenditures. When irregular expenses are included, our totals get even higher than we had realized. But the whole point of this exercise is to get a true idea of where we stand financially so that we know how to move forward to reach our goals.

Many countries have this same issue to deal with. The EU has been making headlines lately for this very reason. It seems one of the wealthiest countries in the world has more money problems than any other. Dubai has recently come under massive public humiliation after spending years boasting such luxuries as man-made palm shaped islands (that are rumoured to be sinking) as well as the world's tallest skyscraper (that recently had faulty elevator malfunction). Countries a little closer to home also have the same problem.

The United States spends an unprecedented amount of money trying to fix the nation's economy. Ironically the cash required to accomplish this needs to be raised. If you've ever heard 'it takes money to make money', this is a prime example. The United States, a.k.a. Uncle Sam, raises its money by selling Treasury securities of varying maturity. This, of course, is the most simplified (of the simplified) version of where the money to run the nation comes from.

The United States recently did their own detailed balancing of sorts to find out where they money has gone and the results are a little surprising. These are the top five culprits accompanied by a few honourable mentions.

To the surprise of many, the largest holder of the United States' debt is the US themselves. The Federal Reserve and the US Intragovernmental Holdings account for an amazing $4.8 trillion in US Treasury debt. Around ten years ago, this debt was only $2.5 trillion.

The second largest debt holders are Mutual Funds. This group of investments manages about $769 billion of the US Treasury securities. The third largest is China owing a phenomenal $739 billion as of January 2009. This does not include Hong Kong's additional $71 billion debt. Japan comes in fourth as a major US trade partner owing $634 billion. Fifth place is held by state and local governments who have more than half a trillion dollars invested in American debt.

A few honourable mentions go to Pension Funds, both private and local government pension funds combined are worth a $456 billion debt. Investors, oil exporters, Caribbean bank centres, depository institutions, insurance companies and a combination of several additional countries make up the additional debt.

Even though logic tells us our personal debt will never reach such heights, it's still important to keep track of our spending and our lending. If you find yourself wondering where all the money has gone, consider debt consolidation by inquiring about a private secured loan. It may help to ease your debt and manage your money more effectively.

Fortunately there is something we can do. Teaching kid's money lessons from a very young age will help them avoid the financial traps that will plague many of their peers. To make the best use of the time spent teaching kid's money lessons follow the tips below.

Tips to teaching kid's money lessons.

1) Why: How often did your teachers explain the reason why you were going to learn something? Not many. With the subject of money we have compelling "whys" and youth of all ages enjoy learning when there are strong reasons for them to do so. When teaching money lessons be sure to let the class know "why" you are their teaching financial literacy to build the relationship with the class.

2) Real: Today's youth know whether you're being real with them or not. When teaching financial literacy, open up, be vulnerable and share yourself with the class. Being real builds trust and when the participants trust you they will learn more effectively.

3) Cause: Remember you are not just 'teaching financial literacy'. Just one student picking up one piece of information can make a huge impact in their life. The reality is a lot of the students will benefit and live a happier, healthier and more rewarding life because of you're taking the time to teach kid's money lessons.

4) Lifestyle: Money is just paper it is lifestyle that truly motivates us to learn about money. Discover the lifestyle goals of your class and show them how money management skills will help them reach those goals. Teaching financial literacy is much more effective when you are focused on the lifestyle advantages that your participants can enjoy if they manage their money correctly.

5) Envision: Leverage positive & negative outcomes of the future in an encouraging way. "Because you know this - you will be able to avoid___". Find out their dreams and encourage those and you share practical tips on how they can achieve their own personal goals.

Teaching kid's money lessons will help them to control their spending habits and to understand that money just doesn't grow on tree. Failing to teach money lessons will probably lead them to have financial difficulties later in life. There are some simple topics you should cover when teaching financial literacy:

1) Even if young people just learn the idea of saving money it can make an enormous difference. What you save is more important than what you make. This is especially true of children or given money and are left free to spend it all in a short period of time. Basically you are teaching them that no matter how much they have, they spend it, leaving them with nothing at the end.

2) It will also help these children and adolescents as they grow up, to understand how credit works. Although credit can be a very good thing, it can also turn into a disaster if it isn't handled properly. These lesson will teach young people that financial success is only possible if they have control over their spending and do not seek instant gratification.

This way, they will realize debt has negative consequences. What you buy on credit today will turn into that if you cannot pay it off when it is due.

Teaching kid's practical money lessons can make a huge difference in their life. Get involved and share you financial literacy with the youth in your community today. They will thank you later!

Following money saving tips for Walt Disney World, you can actually eliminate the reasons why a lot of people do not wish to take a Walt Disney world family vacation.

Indeed, financial problems cannot stop you from enjoying a wonderful vacation in the Walt Disney world. Regardless, if you are going to Disney World trip newly, or if you have been there previously, the following Disney World money saving tips can be of help for you.

So then, let us move on the first tip.

It is wise to look for Disney World tickets or passes directly on EBay. There, you can find great discounts from people who have already bought extra passes and have some remaining to sell.

And here is my second tip for you!

You should consider advance booking at the Disney World budget accommodations with the help of Disney World hotel packages. These packages come with a free shuttle service between hotels and resorts, which alone can help a lot in saving you a truckload of money.

Well, and this is the third tip to save money!

You can even visit the Orlando Premium Outlets or the Belz Outlet Mall to get the Disney Character Warehouse selling the official merchandise of Disney at great prices. Furthermore, you can buy souvenirs from "World of Disney Store" in the "Downtown Disney Marketplace".

Here is the fourth tip for you!

When you schedule a trip during the less popular seasons, you can save a large amount of money too. While it is true that entry prices remain fixed all the year round, you can end up saving a lot of money on the accommodation and travel expenses.

With the help of World Wide Web, you can find Disney Vacation packages on the internet and save your precious time and money. Various message boards and forums, which are entirely dedicated to Walt Disney World, provide a wealth of information to interested travelers.

In these online places, you can look up reviews and articles by knowledgeable enthusiasts of the Disney world. Indeed, they give some valuable advice that can be put to use to save costs and locate valuable offers.

Fine, what would be my fifth tip for you?

Finding package deals can sometimes prove to be less costly than purchasing every service separately. But, it is imperative to make certain that you carefully compare the prices of various packages before deciding on a Walt Disney World package.

And here is my sixth and last tip for you!

You should not narrow your search to Disney accommodations. Rather, I advise you to look at third party providers as well, since going in for this option can save you a lot of money too. Even these providers have facilities like free shuttle, which can ensure that patrons can have an easy access to the park. Hence, it is better to be aware of these money saving tips for Walt Disney World in advance to save money on the trip.

The concept of 'kids and money' raises many questions for parents that want to teach their kids about money management. Many parents don't realize that the majority of schools lack a class that gives students a practical financial education. Many more parents feel about as comfortable having the 'birds and bee talk' and they do having the 'kids and money' talk. It's no wonder recent studies show that more parents talk to their kids about sex rather than money.

This article will guide you in developing your own "Money Talk" to have with your children. Most people recognize the importance of teaching kids about money, yet so many fail to do so. A big part of the reason is because most parents don't know where to start. Follow the tips below when you have your 'kids and money talk',

1) Practical: Focus your 'kids and money talk' on the practical application of the subject rather than theory, history, definitions and other less usable information. They can pick up theory overtime; First, teach them how they can apply practical money skills to their life.

2) Story: Stories are an excellent way to teach kids about money and make the learning process fun. Sharing personal stories help you to truly connect with them and relate to them on a memorable level. If you're not comfortable sharing your own stories, third party stories are great as well.

3) Relax: You 'kids and money talk' does not need to be stressful. Realize that you are there with good intentions to give the participants information that will change their lives. Breath, have fun and understand the presentation does not have to be perfect.

4) Content: Make sure your content is relevant, up-to-date and is something that your kids can relate to. You can get quality financial education tips from organizations like the National Youth Financial Educators Council and other quality organizations. Times are changing faster than ever before so always seek out up-to-date stories and topics that your students can relate to.

5) Prepared: Before having your 'kids and money talk' be prepared and practice your presentation. Besides understanding the lessons be sure to focus on how you can motivate, educate, engage and move the kids to action.

It is much more effective to begin teaching your children how to handle their money their money from the time they are young rather than waiting until they are teenagers. Teach them money is exchanged for work by having them complete various household tasks in exchange for "pay.". Of course, this doesn't have to be a large sum of money, and in fact, it shouldn't be. It should only serve as an incentive to teach them responsibility and reward.

If you do teach your children to respect money as well as themselves, then they shouldn't have a problem when they become adults. For one thing, they will know that money doesn't grow on trees, as the old adage goes. It more often than not requires effort to earn money.

In teaching kids about money, you should encourage them to have different piggy banks for different uses. For instance, one piggy bank could easily be their spending money for chewing gum and other little items. A second piggy bank, could be used for them to save money for a larger items they may want to purchase. For example, they may want an electronic game that they will have to save money on their own, in order to acquire. Another for money they want to donate. And finally, they must be encouraged to have a real savings accounts or piggy bank. This is money they are not to access.

Have the 'kids and money talk' with your kids. It is a conversation that will help them their entire life.

There are so many different ways to make some extra money. You can put items for sale quickly and easily on Craigslist or eBay and get rid of some of those items that are just taking up space. That should bring in some money, but eventually you will end up with nothing else to sell.

You can also offer your expertise to others through websites that will connect you with people looking for one time job offers. Perhaps you can write and get paid for doing that. Places like O'desk . Com and Scriptlance . Com would be a great place to start. You will find jobs that you can bid on. They commonly have jobs for writers, programmers, web designers, graphic designers and a large variety of other services. You can also tap into Craigslist and hunt for jobs there.

Assuming that you are diligent in your hunt for extra income and follow through with the difficult task of actually increasing your income, the next step for you is to set a goal for your savings. It's a lot more fun to make sacrifices if you can picture in your mind being able to reach these goals.

For example, your goal might be to get rid of your credit card debt. Picture how it feels to not worry about those monthly payments. Picture how it would feel if you took that same amount of money you were paying every month and saved it for a nice vacation. What is your dream destination?

Put pictures of the places you want to go to in your home office, on your refrigerator. Put them anywhere that you will see them every day. Next time you are tempted to use your credit card, just remember the pictures of your vacation spot. You want to remember why you are making sacrifices.

People tend to willingly go without a lot of things in order to reach a goal that is really worthwhile to them. Set a goal that is worthwhile to you.

The secret to saving money is to be able to picture how life will be when you reach the goals you have set. So often when we feel bad or when we suffer a loss of self esteem, we naturally look for ways to make ourselves feel better. That is a natural and good response.

Plan to do things that will make you feel better. Make sure they will not cost you much money or cause you to gain weight. There are a lot of activities that you can do to feel better at no cost. Listed below are some suggested activities that cost nothing and feel good.

Go for a walk in a popular park. Getting outside and seeing other people is self assuring and helps you connect to other people.

Can you smile at anyone? Smiling brings internal pleasure as well as bringing happiness to someone else. Remember what happens to you when you see a baby smile at you. You feel joy at no cost.

Exercise to get you moving and active. Get moving and see if that doesn't help your outlook on life.

Talk to someone you haven't talked to in years. Connecting with people can make you feel good.

Check your local newspaper and see if there are any events you can attend that interest you and don't cost anything to attend.

Pet a dog or cat. Pets can bring smiles to your face quickly.

You can choose your favorite methods of feeling better as long as the cost is low and the calories are low.

Save money easily by having sufficient income and by setting your savings goal to be something worthwhile to you. You can make saving money so much easier on yourself. Start today by setting your savings goal and begin to dream again.

A nationwide poll, conducted by Lending Tree, measured consumer attitudes about credit card debt, credit scores, consumer loans, financial plans and saving. It was alarming that 48% of the respondents were uncomfortable with their household debt. Even more alarming was that 54% admitted they have no financial plan to become debt free. It is clear that people need to manage their debts more effectively.

The way money works in your household may be more about emotion than about math. That is why some people tune out financial advice. They make impulsive buying decisions. They basically don't follow a budget well enough to succeed. If you want to be a good money manager, you'll need to follow a budget.

You may have heard this a thousand times and you've either given up on the idea or you've found a way to budget that you can live with. One way to budget is to take a piece of paper and write your total monthly income. Under that write down all of your expenses in categories and guess what amounts they each are. Total this amount. Make sure your income and expenses are totally equal.

You want to spend all of a month's income on paper before the month starts. Spend all of it on paper. Don't forget that savings is a category too. Now you have ordered your money to behave because each dollar has a job to do.

The first time you try budgeting, you may experience failure. Don't worry about that. You will get better and better at estimating your expenses. With practice your budget will become one of the most powerful tools available to you to keep your finances on track.

Debt is your largest obstacle to financial security. What are your beliefs about debts, other than your car or home. Debt is not something you just have to live with. Many people live debt free. So can you.

If you are living on borrowed money you can prevent digging a deeper hole for yourself. Mitlon Berle said, "It's amazing how fast later comes when you buy now! Just stop using any borrowed money, which of course will include your lines of credit.

Don't close your accounts because there are situations that you need a credit card. Renting cars, securing a hotel or paying for a vacation will need some kind of credit. When you use them for that purpose and keep your balance at zero, then you are doing great.

Saving and investing are two of the best things you can do with your money. If you watch the Suze Orman television show, you might think that everyone in the country may be better off than you are and that everyone has over $300,000 in savings for retirement. Well, take heart, because there are people who have no savings at all and who find it hard to save.

Start with a small amount if you are having difficulties making ends meet. As your income grows and your expenses lower, then you can save more. Make this a regular habit.

"The safest way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket." ~ Kin Hubbard

Get rid of items that you no longer need. Not only will you get some added income, but you will have more space to live.

Use automatic deposits into your savings account. Sometimes it is less painful for people to save money when you don't have to decide to do it every month. You make a decision once and then set it on auto-pilot. In six months to a year, you'll have a nice amount of money saved.

At the end of each year, be sure to ask yourself how much money you have saved and how much money have you been able to invest.

"Money can't buy you happiness but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery." ~ Spike Milligan