[texasbluebell]

If you don't already do this, I found it to be extrememly useful years ago. Have money automatically deducted from your paycheck into an IRA or even savings account. You'll never miss it though it seems strange to say that if the money is tight right now.

It's mentioned in one of the Cruz columns linked in #82, the one for Sept. 10.

We did that and it's amazing how the money builds up, and you just adjust to having less available to spend.

Another tip from Cruz that I remember well--when you get a raise, never use it, just have your monthly deductions increase into your IRA, pretend you never got the raise as far as your spending goes.

[hopespringseternal]

Another tip from Cruz that I remember well--when you get a raise, never use it, just have your monthly deductions increase into your IRA, pretend you never got the raise as far as your spending goes.

This is smart because when taxes go up or you wind up with a new bill each month, you have reserve income to handle it.

[cardinal4]

Thanks for the tip. We are exploring a similar option at our bank.