I heard today that the strain on the economy is driving some people over the edge. You may have heard of top executives killing themselves over financail woes. You may think they are big time exec's with bigger problems than yourself. But, it is all relative isn't it?  Your current financial strain may end up just as big without intervention.  Financial stresses in this country are affecting more than the wallet. If you are feeling the strain, make it a priority to get back on track. Your stresses of trying to keep all the balls up in the air will only compound and get bigger without some action.  My perosonal opinion is, if you not good for yourself you can't be good for your family.  Getting better for yourself means finding the discipline within yourself to bring your finances under control.

Have you ever heard the statement "It's not what you make, it's what you save."  A former boss of mine used to say it all the time.  I was in charge of many purchases and he required at least 3 quotes from every vendor before he would approve the purchase.  I began to think about his statement.  He drilled it in my head and I have never forgotten it.  Think about it....  You may make $1,000,000.00 a month but if you spend $1,000.100.00 you are in the hole $100.00.  If you make $4,000.00 a month and are able to save $600.00 you are actually $700.00 better off because you saved the $600.00 and you don't owe the additional $100.00 that your $1,000,000 counterpart earner.  I know this is a simple concept but it is powerful if you dig a little deeper.  If you believe that you can not get out of debt because you don't make a substanial income, think agian. Get your debt under control, set up a budget and make up your mind to get it done.  

What I am about to explain is very simple but oh so difficult to stick too.  Get a calendar and post every bill on the day that it is due.  Make sure to post bills that need to be mailed early enough to make it before the due date.  Every Friday or whenever you normally draw a paycheck, list your expected deposit.  Subtract the weekly bills and expense requirements to include your weekly spending money.  Don't forget the spending money!  The key to this personal system is depositing the remaining funds into a money market savings account or regular savings account every single week or pay period.  Then don't touch it and watch it grow.  Be persistent and once you get used to not having those dollars it will get easier and easier. When I started my savings regiment, I had a goal to save at least 10% a week.  I have since increased that percentage as my level of discipline and resources increased.  Get rid of your credit cards or freeze them in the freezer in case you need them for a dire emergency.  But stop using them.  That goes for debit cards also. After you fill in your calendar, you should cash out your spending money when you deposit your weekly paycheck.  Spend your spending money and nothing else.  Don't write checks for anything except bills.  In the end, if you only start savings $5.00 a week its better than the guy in the example up above who earns a $1,000,000 a week but is $100.00 in the hole. Get the idea.

To save even more, take advantage of every discount and coupon you can find.  I am a member of an MLM program where I am able to print coupons on just about any product.  This sort  of thinking and discipline will catapult your savings into hyperdrive.  Imagine saving half off of even three or four products or services you purchase each month.  The savings can be huge and relieve the pressure from having to go back to your savings account to bridge the gap.