I'm kind of counterintuitive at this phase in my life. I used to keep a budget and clip coupons and watch my spending, but at some point I realized that I could save a bit of money by doing that, but I could actually make more money by not worrying about small expenses and using that time instead to generate more income by winning another project.

I'm not sure I recommend that approach. It's worked for me, but I don't think it's a permanent deal.

Here's a few:

Rewards Network: My wife and I have been members since 2000 and we've saved thousands on meals and drinks. Participating restaurants discount 10%-20% on food and drinks. And it's invisible. You attach your credit card(s) to the Rewards Network and receive a refund to your card a few days after visiting. It's awesome.

Entertainment Book: Not only are there several fast food coupons (McDonalds, Wendy's, Taco Bell, Subway, etc.) there are discounts on grocery store purchases. There's a $5 dollar off coupon for $50 dollar purchase or more for Ralphs out here. It's not a ton, but it's better than zero. The book is filled with saving (if you remember it!).

Internet Coupons: I don't care if I'm buying studio gear, toilet paper, blinds or power bars: I ALWAYS do a vendor/product search. I've found coupons for places like Vitamin Shoppe where I've saved 50% off of a $100 dollar order. Or Amazon coupons where's I've saved 25% off of a $600 dollar order. It's a little time consuming but always worth it (and they add up - Paypal coupon plus Vendor Coupon plus Specials equal HUGE savings).

American Express: We've owned an e-commerce site since 2001 and have used the Amex for every transaction. We signed up for Starwood points and haven't paid for a hotel since 2002. We traveled at least four weeks out of the year to places like Hawaii, Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, London, Rome, NYC, SF, San Diego and more. We haven't paid a cent for 5 star hotels and excellent room service.

Costco (no brainer): I don't buy gas anywhere else. I don't buy chicken, hamburger, hot dogs, bread, liquor, paper products (TP, paper towels, napkins, trash bags, tissue) or prescriptions any where but Costco.

I've found that if I cut back on alcohol, drugs, and hookers my money seems to go a lot farther.

Are hooker really that expensive in Everton?

Even without a personal business and only using it for my own expenses I am a big fan of Amex. Better if you save them up but I have gotten some great deals on lift tickets through their awards.

The ones with teeth get top dollar around here.

I figured the ones without teeth would be at premium.

At least they don't leave teeth marks for your sister to find later.

ROFL

Spend less than you make? :shrug:

Well, speculation can often lead to income streams as well, so that simple philosophy isn't always best.

Real estate, stocks, investments and other deals can pan out and generate huge amounts of income if wise decisions are made.

No one becomes wealthy by sitting on their hands.

Then what should I do with the windfall from only driving 55mph in 5th gear during my commute? I know I have that some other gear that I could put my car in but I wouldn't want to wreck the economy.

Like Stumpy, spend it on hookers and blow.

:p

I think when I get done with those two I will make sure everyone knows they shouldn't drive over 55. Maybe we could even get the car manufacturers to put a line at 55 on the speedometer? None one could possible drive faster if that was done?

So probably the number one thing you can do is set a budget and stick to it. FIgure out how much you want to spend on food, housing, etc and plan it out. Keep track of it and if you go over your budget figure out why? It will let you know which expenses are the biggest and if they are really needed.

Figure out what's important, decide when you buy something if you really need it and if it's worth it to you. If the answer is you're not sure then wait. Open up a savings account with real interest. Likely your bank savings account is generating a whooping 0.2% interest. You should be able to find a 3+% interest rate account with low starting limits. What you want to put in here is 3-6 months worth of living expenses. You don't want to raid this until you have to it's your emergency fund, in case of job loss or major expense.

If your company has a 401K use it. It's one way to save without trying to hard and every dollar you put in is one less that the government gets to tax. If the company has matching definately put in enough to max the match. It's free money you are missing out if you don't.

Really the biggest thing are budgeting(i.e. so you know what you are spending) and trimming unnecessary expenses. Mac and cheese and rice don't sound sexy but they are filling and allow you to spluge on something you need or really want later. Alot of it's about deciding what's important to you and not wasting money on things that are marginal.

You're not alone in the struggle there is a reason why the US has a negative saving's rate. But you can do it, you just have to decide what is important to you and set your goals accordingly.

Also if you have Credit card debt, unless the interest rate is ridiculously low, that should be your first goal. You're just throwing away money if you carry a balance. CC's are great if you pay them off every month, but they'll screw you if you don't. COnsider getting rid of them if you can't pay them off every month.

If you can sleep well at night you're doing fine
possessions can keep you up nights
telling yourself it's for the kids is bogus - it's for you

Here's my personal budget I've passed along in here before. I'll make one and share every year. I doubt anyone still uses it but it's what I've been living by for the last 8 years (with minor modifications/ additions). Like 2 bike, I can tell you where every dime has went since 2001.
http://www.kcpcrepair.com/dr/content...budgeting-tool

Here's some of my blog postings for people like you. Hope you enjoy. At least read the first and second one.
http://www.rapiddebtloss.com/blog/20...-introduction/
http://www.rapiddebtloss.com/blog/20...oney-makeover/
http://www.rapiddebtloss.com/blog/20.../dumping-debt/