The best way to save money is not to see it. In this article, I will explain what I mean by that and I am a living testimony that this works. Five years ago, I owed more than $50,000 in debt and today and for the past year, I am debt free and saving a lot of money and my salary has decreased. I will share some thoughts that have worked for me!

1) Live and die by your budget! I have a budget that is set up for the rest of this year and all of next year. I have heard so many people gripe that budgets don't work and if that is the case, how do big companies make it? They use budgets and budgets do work if you have character. Set up a budget for all the income you have and all the bills you have and make it work. Budgets are no good if you don't track them. I look at my budget daily and I only spend the money that my budget tells me I can. If I have an emergency, that column is on the budget and if I have a life or death emergency that my budget cannot cover, I go to my savings! I am a testimony that if you follow your budget, you can save quite a bit of money.

2) Pick up a member card for every store you frequent! I have a speedway card for the gas station and figured with all the free perks and the discounts on gas, I saved over $1200 in one year alone just by being a free member. Why would we not take the time to fill out an application for a free membership if it will save us money?

3) Go on Ebay! Wow what a great site! I love to bid and you save a lot of money by bidding than buying at regular price. This is your online sales. After all, every store always has 70% off which is a joke because if you look at the retail price, it is something you would have never paid anyway. Why not go to Ebay and set up an account and bid and save. It is free as well to do this!

4) Have money taken out of your check! This is the best way to save! If you don't see the money, you are saving it! I don't save very much of what I receive because I have some withheld but that money is being saved and making money for me. I would rather be tight every month and have a build up going than to have extra money "saved" that I spend anyway. The whole purpose to saving is to have that money work for you.

Saving is easy if you have a plan! Use a budget, and look for free memberships, including Ebay and get to saving! Keep track and I promise you, the difference will be made. Also, have money taken out of your check and put into a 401k or something similar. I wouldn't have a bundle withheld unless you can afford it but try a reasonable amount and invest it. Watch your money work! That is real savings, not save off a few coupons, keep your money in a checking account and spend it a few months later. Good luck!

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