10 Surefire Ways to Spend Less and Save More

Editor's note: This article appears in Kiplinger's special issue Success With Your Money.

1. Start an automatic savings or investment plan with a bank, a mutual fund or your retirement plan at work so money is taken off the top of your paycheck, before you see it or spend it.

2. Deposit your paycheck directly to savings rather than to your checking account. You can transfer money to pay your bills, but you'll think twice about withdrawing additional cash.

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3. Limit yourself to one ATM withdrawal per week, and make your cash last.

4. Subtract credit-card purchases from your checking account immediately so you're not surprised when the bill arrives.

5. When you subtract a check from your account, round up the amount to the next dollar. That way, you'll always have a slush fund.

6. Can't decide whether to buy something you've seen at a store? Give yourself a 24-hour cooling-off period. Chances are you won't go back.

7. Buy a couple of storage bins -- even a shoebox will do -- into which you can toss credit-card and ATM receipts. That simple step will help you get organized -- and give you a visual record of your spending.

8. Toss spare change into a jar on your desk or dresser. You'll watch your money grow to hundreds of dollars a year, which you can deposit into your savings account (or use to buy the item you passed up in tip number 6).

9. Each time you resist the temptation to buy a latte or go to a movie, put the money you would have spent into your cash jar. It's an immediate reward for self-discipline.

10. Once you finish paying off a loan or credit-card balance, keep making payments and put the money in a savings or investment account.