Can you help me save my money?

Hi im starting to piss myself off, i spend money like theres a hole in my pocket, and i want to learn how to save it because im almost 18 and gunna have to start saving soon probably. best answer will be awarded to the very best answer

First of all you are at a good age to start saving. I would advise you to seek out a local financial adviser. (You can find them in the phone book) you can start out with as little as $50 a month, when it's invested properly you can have a pretty large sized nest egg when you get to 40. Banks with their saving accounts don't offer any descent interest rates, where as if you invest in municipal bonds it's tax free and interest rates are around 6-8%. So think about, and good luck saving for a rainy day.

You do need to develop the discipline to save, that's for sure. If you have problems with that, see if your employer (or whatever your source of funds is) can automatically deduct and deposit a portion of your pay into some investment or savings account, so you never get your hands on that money.

Or, open a savings account and decide that you are going to save 20-30% (or more, if you can swing it) of your paycheck. Treat that like a bill you have to pay. Write yourself a check and deposit it, pay your other bills the same way. If there is anything left over, take half of it and put it into the same savings account and reward yourself with what is left for being financially responsible.

Also, get control of your spending. Look at every purchase this way: if it will not increase your ability to earn more money, or save you money in some way, then it is not a practical expense. That doesn't mean you can't buy it, but if you put every purchase through this filter you may find that you are less likely to impulse buy.

Maybe make a game of it. Like a dieter sets a goal to lose weight, you could set a goal to end up each week with $X still in your pocket. Each week, increase that a little and then keep that in the back of your mind as you go through the week.

Hope some of this might help you. It is very good that you recognize that this is going to cause you big problems in the future and that you need to start doing something about it; many people your age don't even think it is a problem until they are so far behind that it is an ordeal for them to dig themselves out of the hole.

Good luck.

Good for you.

Here's the easiest way to save money: Automate your savings.

Open a free online savings account (use ING Direct, WT Direct or something like that). Link it to your checking account (assuming you have one of those) and set up automatic deposits into your savings on a regular basis so that you do not have to remember to do it. The next thing you know, you'll wake up and see hundreds of dollars in your account and wonder how it got there.

If you want to take this to the next level by automating your entire financial structure, spend less, save more, and earn more start a free 5G account at 5gplan.com. It's free and it's where I learn all this crazy awesome advice.

Hope that works for you. I guarantee this is the best answer you are going to get. (not to sound cocky or anything).