I discovered several years ago one way to save money without really realizing it or missing it. If I have to make a seperate deposit into a savings account, I sometimes don't do it or think that I can't afford to, but this method has helped me save money.

I register every check, withdrawl, and debit in our checkbook register by rounding up to the nearest dollar. For example, if I purchase something and the total is $51.14, then I put the actual amount down for our records, but when I deduct it from my balance, I round up to $52. After doing it for so long, those extra cents add up. I was able to spend an extra $300 dollars on Christmas this year just from doing that from July (after our vacation) until Christmas.

Also, when I make a deposit, I round down. For example, if the amount to deposit is $51.14, I will round down to $50 or $51 when adding it to my balance. Again, that adds up quickly.

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Parker, Wyndser, and Carson....................Wyndser (in blue) with her cousin

Awesome Tip Jeannette! I do the same thing and it adds up fast and you don't feel it!

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Have you been in the Spotlight yet?

My pay check is direct deposited into my checking account but my place of work allows you to deposit in up to 3 accounts. So I have $150 off the top taken out and put into my savings and the rest put into my checking. I started at $25 and over time have built it up higher. When it comes directly out of my paycheck I rarely notice it. I can at any time transfer the money from my savings to checkings but I absolutely hate doing it and it a last resort. Also my savings account is not connected to my ATM so I can't just take the money out.

My moms actually been doing this for over 20 years and she doesnt even open the statement from the bank. When we had family problems in 92 she went to the bank and finally looked at the register and realized she had 10k extra. Then in 2002 she put the full 20% down on her house with out realizing it (she went to the bank to get an 80/20 loan and they asked her if she realized what was in her checking). Then in 05 she bought a used car with her "surplus".

I totaly agree this works but I 'd want to spend it after awhile!

I do that too. it also helps because you pretty much never get overdrawn.
Michele

I have heard of this before but never did it. You have inspired me to do this . I will starte wiht my next deposit!

after years of "rounding up" in my checking account, i have 600 dollars more in my checking account than my records indicate, and there's more every year!

Wow! I love this idea, what a great way to save extra money. Thanks

I do this too! The way to make sure you don't spend it is to keep your own account register accurately, so you don't have to rely on your internet banking to see how much you have..

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~~Amanda~~ Mommy to one Little Man (3 1/2 yrs old), TTC #2

I swear that this has been such a great way for us to save money. It's so easy to do because I don't even miss it, it starts adding up quickly, and it makes the math in the register/balance column easy since I make the cents column always .00.

Glad so many of you have had some success with this, too!!

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Parker, Wyndser, and Carson....................Wyndser (in blue) with her cousin