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We had some good times together. But like most relationships, when it’s good, it’s really good and when it’s bad, it’s worse. My relationship with money has always been kind of funny. I desperately needed to save money but I just never seemed to have any. I would try to keep a stash of cash for emergencies but I had an emergency every week! My savings was depleted. I think I was in the recession before the rest of the world. I was just a paycheck away from poverty. If I wanted my relationship with money to work, I had to make major changes! You, too, can learn to stash your cash with these 5 money saving tips.

Track Spending – If you’re like me the last thing you want to do is make another list! In order to get out of the living from paycheck to paycheck mode you have to track spending. Tracking will make you more aware of where your money is going. When I looked at my list, I couldn’t believe how much money I was actually throwing out the window! Tracking made me realize that I could cut corners and actually save money.

Take Baby Steps – You don’t need a lot of money to save money. Start small! I was spending $2.00 per day on coffee which totaled about $40.00 per month. Now I take the $2.00 per day I was spending on coffee and put it in a savings jar. At the end of the month, I put it in a savings account. That comes out to $480.00 per year saved. I’ve also started a savings account with a local credit union. Every pay period $25.00 goes to my savings account automatically. $25.00 may not seem like a lot of money but over time it builds up. That’s about $600 per year. No matter how small the amount is, you’re still better off than you were before.

Investigate Employer Benefits – Take some time to discover what your job offers. Check your human resources or Union, if you belong to one. There are tons of money saving benefits associated with unions such as free bank accounts and discounts on auto insurance and other items. I changed my auto insurance carrier to one associated with my union and now I’m saving $300 per year. Employer benefits can definitely help you save money.

Out with the Old… Get rid of things you no longer use. I’m talking about the old clothes, shoes, bags, books, etc. that you’ve been holding on to since forever! Pack everything up and head for your local consignment shop or better yet, sell your old items on EBay or Craig’s list. Your junk could be another person’s treasure and it can put some cash in your pocket, too.

Brown Bag it… You can make a satisfying lunch at home. All it takes is a little preparation. There are tons of easy and healthy alternatives to choose from. For instance, you can pack leftovers, peanut butter and jelly or a turkey sandwich. The choice is yours. You can save money brown bagging your lunch and you’ll probably shave off a few pounds in the process.

Stay Focused - Your relationship with money will get better. It takes time to build a solid relationship. With discipline and foresight, you’re well on your way to a debt free lifestyle. Remember, it’s a process. Be encouraged. You can save money even if you think you don’t have any.