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It’s a tough economy and your hard-earned wage probably is not going very far. It’s time to start saving extra money in order to prepare for the future and live with less stress. Saving extra money takes discipline and re-examining your spending habits. Let’s examine a few ways people are saving extra money while continuing to cover their expenses.

Don’t pay attention to advertisements when saving extra money. There’s nothing wrong with advertising as it is a crucial element needed by businesses in order for them to be successful. But when your goal is saving extra money you want to stick with a budget. Advertising in general tries to convince you that you need what you can really live without and what you most likely cannot afford.

Use fee-free checking accounts. There is no reason to pay what seems like a few dollars each month for a checking account when many banks offer this service for free. Saving extra money means cutting back on even those small amounts because over a period of several months they add up.

Learn to be entertained at home. When you get back to the values of enjoying family and friends at your home you will begin saving extra money almost immediately. It is even expensive going to fast food restaurants for entertainment. If it means cleaning the house extra or fixing up the back yard, you’ll find that having a cookout or playing some board games will be a fun and relaxing alternative. Everyone likes to get out sometimes but if you do make sure you find inexpensive places of entertainment.

Reduce your vices. Saving extra money is next to impossible if you don’t cut down vices like alcohol and tobacco. They are expensive and the producers of these products know it. Plus, everyone knows they adversely affect your health and you’ll end up nullifying any saving extra money you did at the doctor’s office or hospital.

Don’t run a mini-entertainment park for your kids. Your children need to be taught the concepts of saving extra money and it is important to start them young. If you can teach them that life is not about constant entertainment you will give them a life skill of saving extra money that will probably keep them out of trouble in the future. Learn to do things as a family that require less money like camping, playing sports in the back yard, bicycle riding, or just walking to the park. Kids even love going for something simple like ice cream.

Don’t carry your credit cards. They go against any attempts you make to be successful at saving extra money. If you need a credit card, it’s better to carry a check debit card with a major credit card logo. This way you know if you have the cash to purchase an item or not.

Choose diversions that don’t cost like volunteering. What makes saving extra money so difficult for many is because they like to get out of the house and do things. Don’t join some expensive health spa or spend your whole paycheck on weekend skiing. Volunteering can be helpful for saving extra money. Churches are always looking for volunteers of some sort and you never know who you might meet. Volunteering is not for everyone but it is one viable option for saving extra money.