[Swahilijoe]

Its hard to save but i do a minimum is 25% of my net income a month. I have set up some automated accounts with banks like ING Direct and twice a month money is deposited from my main accounts into this subsidiary accounts. At the end of the year is when you appreciate the saying "Kidogo kidogo hujaza kibaba"

Also a 401K is important; i know portfolios were destroyed last year but i shifted to a conservative plan and i lost less than 1% but now I'm back to more aggressive since i can afford another 35 years to save- i max my contributions. An IRA is a good way to save depending on your income.

There are various ways to pinch pennies...Starbucks is an expensive habit so i stick to the 99cts coffee at Dunkin Donuts, eat out less and cook at home, stick to my simple flip phone....i don't think its normal to check your emails on the phone..its anti-social the way people are all hooked up to their phones, my cable is basic...can't even tell you the last time i watched TV, dress smart but not expensive e.t.c

One last thing is to set a money tracking account; i prefer Yodlee.com; you can track your income,expenses,investments on a monthly basis and know if you are wasting any money.