Saving money... In today's world many are asking how to make more, not how to save. It is encouraging to see that people do realize that until that "big break" we have to do things daily to make sure we are prepared for tomorrow. Personally I don't believe that there will be any funds left in the US Social Security/Welfare by the time I retire so I better start now or I am in trouble! The first thing to keep in mind that saving is a commitment, and a hard one. You have to make everything you buy a conscious choice.

The first thing you have to do is make a budget. This should be a break down of absolutely every dime you spend. If you are married it should include both of you. The budget should break down recurring bills (mortgage/rent/utilities/phones/food/etc) as well as miscellaneous things you spend money on (eating out/drinks at gas stations/going out/dating/etc). Once you know what you spend you can look at what you make and take out the things that you don't need.

The biggest problem in the US today is our desire for instant gratification. We stop for food, drinks, impulse buys at the store, etc. Any time you think of stopping or think of buying something take a step back for a moment. Look at what it is, and multiply that out by how many times you buy it a week, then take that out over a year. For example.. Lets say you buy a Coke every day. This is only 1.39 at most locations right? Not much is what we tell ourselves. Now lets do some simple math. We will use week days only not the weekends for this example. For that $1.39 Coke every day you spend, $6.95 per week, which is $27.80 per month, or $361.40 per year. That is if you only buy one Coke a day.

The simple things we do daily affect us in a very large way. Here is another quick example. Lets say you buy lunch every day. Let's say you get it off the dollar menu for ease (I will leave off tax for this math). We know the dollar menu items are smaller so you get 2 sandwiches, fries, and a drink. That is $4 per day, 5 days a week. Lets do the math again. You are looking at $20 per week, or $80 per month, or $1000 per year. Is it worth eating out one meal a day? Or would you be better off to take a bag lunch?

The other thing that you must do is make sure that everyone in your family is on the same page. One of the largest reasons for break ups today is over money. The sad truth is that with today's economy this will continue to get worse. Your entire household has to be on the same page for any saving protocol to actually work. One person can not be given free reign to do whatever they want and think the household will remain happy and healthy.

Why do I bring up health? Because financial issues will weigh on you personally and professionally. They will affect your sleep, your eating, your health and everything in between.

Take control of your money now. Use your credit cards responsibly and remember that every small item you buy adds up to more and more. You have to think of every single purchase and how it will add up over time.

My useful tip for this hub is this: Christmas is one of the killer times of the year for families. Get gifts throughout the year (after holiday's is best) for pennies on the dollar, save them up and your Christmas's will be large and happy for a lot less because you got the things cheaper and don't have the credit card charges to deal with at the beginning of the year!