SAVE - Debt is not an option.

Being newly married brings a new perspective to saving. Joining accounts is quite an adjustment.

A coworker let me borrow the Dave Ramsey CD’s to listen to on the way to work. It motivated me to start saving NOW. The question is how.

Below are some key goals that are an inspiration to taking it one step at a time.

1) Kill Debt. Simply calculating how much you spend each month on your debts will illustrate that eliminating debt is the fastest way to free up money. Once the money is freed from debt payment, it can easily be re-purposed to savings.

2) Set savings goals . ie: emergency fund, retirement, new sofa, etc. Figure out how much you’ll have to save per week, per month, or per paycheck to attain each of your savings goals.

3) Establish a time-frame. Set a particular date for accomplishing shorter-term goals, and make sure the goal is attainable within that time period. 5

4) Make a budget. Once you’ve managed to balance your earnings with your savings goals and spending, write down a budget so you’ll know each month or each paycheck how much you can spend on any given thing or category of things.

5) Stop using credit cards. If you don’t have the money, you shouldn’t buy it. It is much rewarding when you save and are able to pay cash, instead of stressing about a credit card payment.

6) Open an interest-bearing savings account. It’s a lot easier to keep track of your savings if you have them separate from your spending money.12

7) Pay yourself first. Savings should be your priority, so don’t just say that you’ll save whatever is left over at the end of the month. Deposit savings into an account (or your piggy-bank) as soon as you get paid.

Once you get this you can start creating an Emergency fund – it is the key to living. The rain will come, trust me. Think of how it will feel to have the money saved when the car trouble comes or a layoff.

Enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Get creative with making things, reading, listening to your vinyl’s. Get together to discuss philosophy or pray; game night, puzzles or make crazy quilt pillows; play instruments. You can have a lot of fun on a small budget. You can create and keep genuine friendships – remember we are here to serve, not to be served. The more you save, the more you can give!