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This step will allow you to see exactly where and how you spend your money. Create a “My Budget Plan,” and categorize your spending needs. Be sure to make a category for strictly bills and one for “fun.” This will display what items are not urgent and where you can stop investing money.

Are you hoping to save for a new car? Or maybe a vacation? This is where you need to prioritize what you’re spending money on. Eating out various times a week will make a dent in your savings and making smarter choices like cooking at home and bringing food to work will be beneficial. The little choices may not seem major but by recording and tracking you will be able to see it add up.

This is a place where you can indeed save some extra dollars. Creating a strict grocery list to follow and not going over a budget every week will leave money aside for other much needed expenses. Setting a budget for shopping and eating out will prevent you from choosing take-out too often.

Thinking of saving hundreds or thousands of dollars may sound absurd, especially for those who live paycheck to paycheck. However, setting short-term savings goals will keep everything in perspective and make having savings more plausible. Starting an easy budget plan will allow you to find small ways to manage your money. This may include goals like saving a certain amount every month or setting aside a few dollars every month.

People think having savings means having all this extra money lying around. In reality, having savings can be crucial for emergencies or paying off those stubborn bills. Saving doesn’t need to take hundreds of dollars…in fact, setting aside ten dollars every pay period can add up. Every week you are contributing any amount into your savings will put you in a better position to tackle any shortcomings or simply be able to afford paying off a credit card bill. These savings can go towards schools, or a vacation coming up. Regardless, taking the initiative to start one shows your ability to take responsibility for your spending.