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<p>The start of a new season is good a time for kicking off new commitments in the spirit of betterment.</p><p>Which makes it an ideal moment to consider pressing reset on your finances. When you cultivate, implement and refine meaningful and sustainable money practices, you not only improve your finances, but the confidence you build can lead to transformation in other areas of your life.</p><p>To achieve this new level of financial wellness, I suggest incorporating values-based budgeting into your current money practice. How? First, reflect on your values — the beliefs and principles that drive behaviors and attitudes — to determine your life and financial goals. A values-based budget is, then, a personal saving and spending plan aligned to what matters to you the most.</p><p>It's basically an extension of you. And, like you, values are dynamic; they expand as we evolve and grow more self-aware. A values-based budget leaves room for you — and your finances — to grow over time.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/Young-woman-at-cafe-using-laptop.jpg" alt="Young woman at cafe using laptop" class="right_image" /><h2>Start with your 'why'</h2><p>What's important to you at this stage in life? And how can you make sure that your budget lines up to best support those goals? Sticking to a values-based budget can become second nature once you're clear about what you want out of life. The subsequent purchases and experiences will all work in service of your vision.</p><p>But nailing down your values can be a challenge on the first try, especially if you've never contemplated what brings meaning and joy to your life, let alone your finances.</p><p>If you struggle with identifying your values, try this exercise: Visualize your ideal day. Paint the picture of the type of work you do, your preferred work culture, where you're living, your support network, your hobbies and how you engage in self-care.</p><p>An app like <a href="https://www.clasp.app/about.html">Clasp</a> can help you make sense of how you feel about money, your emotional triggers, and your most influential financial role models — all necessary pre-work to help you think more critically about how to match your money with your values.</p><h2>Reevaluate your costs</h2><p>Once you home in on your core values, you'll be able to reevaluate your fixed and variables costs with a new, more precise lens.</p><p>You may realize, for instance, that you could save a couple hundred dollars of your take-home pay every month on a need like housing because you don't care about living in a designer zip code. Or you may opt to sell your car and take public transportation if you live in a transit-friendly city and value eco-friendly living. It may even dawn on you that you could trim the fat on your grocery bill without sacrificing your need for quality cuts, produce, or ingredients if you decide to shop by menu, with a list, or on a weekly basis to avoid food waste, duplicate purchases or impulse buys.</p><p>With this approach, you could use any freed-up money to create other values-based short-term and long-term saving and spending goals such as a rainy-day fund, investing, quarterly travel, paying for a personal chef or a cleaning service.</p><p>Similarly, you may notice that variable or mutable costs like monthly magazine subscriptions, streaming services, unused data plans or eating out are wasting money. Instead, earmark those funds to enroll in personal development classes, host monthly dinner parties, build a website around your freelance services or dip your toe into the world of investing. Once you define goals and values, your budget can shift to support those things.</p><h2>End with your 'how'</h2><p>Now that you've figured out why you want to adjust your spending and savings, find the right resource or guide to help you stick with it.</p><p>Tools like an old-school spreadsheet and the latest budget app play important supporting roles in building an authentic, values-based relationship with your money. They provide the "how" — the system or structure — for tracking expenses, staying organized and keeping yourself accountable across months and years.</p><p>But doing the opposite — focusing on the how before the why — essentially treats the acts of saving and spending as isolated and transactional moves rather than the relational and contextual ones that they are.</p><h2>Help, I'm fancy and so are my values!</h2><p>Values-based budgets can serve as a key structure in any comprehensive financial wellness plan. Practiced responsibly, values-based saving and spending can spare you feelings of shame, confusion and anxiety that might otherwise emerge at the end of the month when you discover you have little in the way of savings or memorable purchases to show for your earnings.</p><p>Regrettably, in inexperienced hands, there's also a chance that values-based budgeting can lead to poor money management in the name of living your most aligned life. You may justify the purchase of a pricey retreat with credit because you're focused on self-improvement or take out a personal loan in order to buy high-end music equipment because you want to explore your creative side.</p><p>In 10 years, I'll be 50 years old. If my 50s promise to be anything like the last two decades, I'll have new goals and values. And along the way, I'll have a budget that allows me to embrace and experience it all.</p>

Make Room for What Matters with Values-Based Budgeting

<p>They keep their rainy-day funds funded. Their bring-lunch-to-work game couldn't be stronger. And retirement savings? Their IRAs deserve A+'s.</p>
<p>It's tempting to think of great savers as unicorns. And with good reason: A 2018 GOBankingRates survey found that 16% of Americans have $300,000 or more in retirement savings, while 42% have stashed away $10,000 or less.</p>
<p>What do people say holds them back from saving more? A 2018 Bankrate poll indicated that expenses, underpaying jobs and debt are among the most common challenges. Life gets in the way, too: Roughly one in six respondents reported that they simply haven't gotten around to saving.</p>
<p>Whatever your reason, know that it is possible to <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/family/personal-financial-planning-for-families" data-link-source="tiny">start saving</a> and make a dent in debt &mdash; just take it from other people who have adopted some smart money tactics and joined the ranks of super savers.</p>
<h2>The money coach</h2>
<p>Ashley Feinstein Gerstley began her career in investment banking but came to realize the field didn&rsquo;t suit her. &ldquo;I was making a lot of money, but working long hours,&rdquo; she explains. &ldquo;I was eating take-out food at my desk every night and leaving at 2 a.m.&rdquo; After getting her annual bonus, she decided to quit and make a lifestyle change.</p>
<p>Gerstley invested in workshops and classes to help find her next career, but also splurged on dinner and drinks with friends &mdash; a habit from her days as a high earner. &ldquo;I realized pretty quickly that my bonus was almost gone, and my lifestyle was unsustainable,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I had to figure out my money stuff.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Through a certification with the International Coach Federation, Gerstley became a money coach. In her newfound role she not only helps clients get more organized with savings and investments, but also guides them over any psychological hurdles they encounter along the journey. Here are the top financial tips Gerstley shares with clients (and takes note of herself):</p>
<h3>1. Talk about money</h3>
<p>&ldquo;People think everyone is doing better than them,&rdquo; Gerstley says. That mindset may make you hesitant to talk or seek help with your own financial problems, and, by extension, vulnerable to unintended peer pressure to spend more money. &ldquo;Like when you&rsquo;re at dinner and there&rsquo;s pressure to have another round of drinks &mdash; another round of $17 cocktails. It&rsquo;s not [your friends&rsquo;] fault, they just don&rsquo;t know that you are trying not to spend so much money.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Share your money story &mdash; in terms you&rsquo;re comfortable with. Decline that pricey cocktail, and simply explain that you're working toward a goal &mdash; like paying off student loans or buying a car &mdash; and would rather that $17 go into a savings account.</p>
<p>Gerstley says when you speak up about your own financial concerns, you may see your friends follow suit. From there, plan less expensive gatherings, like potluck dinners and game nights. Then sock away the money you save.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Share your money story &mdash; in terms you&rsquo;re comfortable with.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><img class="right_image" src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_GettyImages-1040303974.jpg" alt="woman taking notes as she refers to her mobile device"></p>
<h3>2. Make a money journal</h3>
<p>In Gertsley's book, The 30-Day Money Cleanse, she suggests <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/productivity/bullet-journal-financial-planning" data-link-source="tiny">documenting every penny you spend</a> and how it makes you feel in a journal. This can help you identify the things you really care about spending money on and expenses you can cut.</p>
<p>"Like a food cleanse, if you quit dairy and sugar and coffee, you might realize that you don't miss them." Gerstley informs. This all leads up to Gerstley's main lesson: Change your money mindset. "Successful money cleansers always experience this shift where personal finance is not 'a have to,' they realize it is a gift and an act of self-love," Gerstley says.</p>
<h3>3. Put savings out of sight</h3>
<p>Many people have linked checking and savings accounts. It's convenient, allowing you to access your savings balance by transferring funds to checking. But some may find it helpful, in the spirit of better savings habits, to create at least one <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/managing-money/money-market-account-or-cd-account" data-link-source="tiny">savings account</a> that is not connected to your checking account, Gerstley suggests.</p>
<p>You can still set up deposits to it through your checking account or deposit straight into it each month like any savings account &mdash; but making it separate can click something in the brain so it doesn't seem as accessible. Consider assigning this "lock box" a purpose &mdash; to cover emergencies or a home down payment.</p>
<p>Likewise, Gerstley says, "View the money in a 401(k) or IRA accounts as untouchable until you retire." They're not intended to fund a car purchase or a wedding.</p>
<h3>4. Don't delay</h3>
<p>Many people, believing that a bigger paycheck &mdash; and therefore a more forgiving budget &mdash; is always on the horizon, and put off saving till they get older. Gerstley flags this thinking as a huge problem. If you happen to lose your job or face medical issues, savings will be a crucial cushion. The time to start saving was yesterday.</p>
<h2>The frugal lawyer</h2>
<p>Holly Carroll worked as an associate lawyer at a New York law firm in her late twenties and early thirties. The money was amazing, she says, but the hours were brutal. &ldquo;I knew I couldn&rsquo;t keep it up,&rdquo; Carroll says. &ldquo;I just decided to pay off my school loans and sock away as much as I could.&rdquo; So while her fellow associates lived in doorman buildings and dined out at five-star restaurants, Carroll developed frugal habits and shared a modest two-bedroom in Brooklyn. She still went out for drinks with friends and made the occasional splurge, but she developed some smart strategies around limiting her spending.</p>
<p>When she quit, she and her husband decided to move back to her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, where their income went much further than it did in New York. They found a&nbsp;<a href="../../index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">three-bedroom home in her dream neighborhood</a>&nbsp;&mdash; and she had saved up enough money to pay for it in cash. Carroll is now a stay-at-home mom and avid crafter. Her top advice:</p>
<h3>1. Don&rsquo;t overspend on work attire</h3>
<p>&ldquo;When I first started at my [attorney] job, there was another associate I worked with who always looked sharp; [she] wore the same suit a few days a week and rarely wore designer heels,&rdquo; Carroll says. They were chatting one day, and her colleague explained her work dress policy: She considered money spent on work clothes as cutting directly into her salary.</p>
<p>That idea was like a light bulb moment for Carroll. She had always been a simple dresser, so she developed a strategy of sticking with a set color palette so that she could easily coordinate all of her work pieces into multiple outfits &mdash; it often seemed she had a larger wardrobe than she did.</p>
<h3>2. Set a weekly cash allowance</h3>
<p>&ldquo;I set a budget for weekly walking-around money and take out that amount in cash,&rdquo; she says, "then I try to only spend that much.&rdquo; Physically seeing how much money she has to spend usually keeps her from making impulse purchases or going shopping on a lunch break.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Set a budget for weekly walking-around money and take out that amount in cash.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><img class="right_image" src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_GettyImages-857304948.jpg" alt="two women cooking"></p>
<h2>The young saver</h2>
<p>When Haley Evans graduated from college and moved to Dallas, TX, she had very little student debt and earned a healthy paycheck. "But I spent it all on Dallas nightlife," Evans says. By age 24, she says, "I was kind of trapped in this cycle" &mdash; unfulfilled in her job, and compensating through happy hour, brunch and shopping. Evans was taking advantage of all that Dallas had to offer, but that lifestyle quickly went beyond her financial limits.</p>
<p>Now, five years on, Evans has remade herself as the model of a buckled-down saver. Her husband's pay covers daily expenses, and she puts her income toward business school and savings &mdash; both investments in her future. Here is her top advice:</p>
<h3>1. Create frugal joys</h3>
<p>A profound moment helped end her cycle of wasteful spending. "One night I was out drinking and just realized I wasn't getting any joy out of it," she says. "I felt like I wasn't really getting to have deep talks with friends since it was always so loud and it just didn't seem worth it anymore."</p>
<p>The next time a friend suggested a big night out, she countered with a nice long walk and home-cooked dinner. "I got to have real one-on-one time with her," Evans explained. "I call it finding frugal joys." Five years later, she and her friend are still doing those walks and joined a discount wine club to enhance those dinners.</p>
<h3>2. Get more out of your bank accounts</h3>
<p>One concrete piece of advice Evans offered: Find checking and savings accounts that offer high-interest rates. Evans and her husband did a lot of research to discover a savings account that offered much higher interest rates on their balance. "We put our wedding fund in there and the down payment for a house," she says. "It's awesome to see that [additional] money each month."</p>
<h3>3. Find healthy splurges</h3>
<p>"There was a period of time after [my] money cleanse where I was crazy thrifty because I am so competitive," Evans says. "But when you go too extreme, you feel deprived and then you binge." So, she figured out what regular splurges would bring her the most rewards. The top one was her gym. "I pay $105 a month &mdash; which is a lot for a gym here &mdash; but it brings me so much joy. It's community and women-based, and I go at least three to four times a week."</p>

The Secret Habits of Super Savers

<p>When it comes to making good financial decisions, it helps to start with some basics: taking time to understand your finances and regularly monitoring your spending and saving.</p>
<p>A good first step is determining your goals. Are you saving up for something big &mdash; tuition, a new car, a wedding? Or maybe you want to get a jump on building up a nest egg or are looking to slow down spending after a&nbsp; month of big purchases. Once you firm up that purpose, it&rsquo;s easier to &nbsp;take action and focus on <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/well-being/in-the-moment/how-to-improve-financial-wellness" data-link-source="tiny">improving your financial wellness</a>.</p>
<p><img class="right_image" src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/tips-for-managing-money_body.jpg" alt="A young family reviews their budget on a laptop"></p>
<h2>Create a budget</h2>
<p>To make sure you're consistently spending in line with your income, it's a good idea to draft a budget. Start by recording every dollar you spend; it's the only way to know exactly where your money goes each month. You can do it in either of these ways:</p>
<ul>
<li>Write it down. Go the traditional route and record all your expenses &mdash; even the smallest ones, like a coffee &mdash; in a notebook or <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/productivity/bullet-journal-financial-planning" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">bullet journal</a>. Categorize these expenses into groups like groceries, clothing and transportation. You'll be able to see how quickly they add up, and you might spot areas where you can cut back.</li>
<li>Go digital. Try mobile banking or a budgeting app you trust to track your spending. With this method, you may be able to organize and categorize your purchases more seamlessly.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Set&nbsp;savings goals</h2>
<p>Not sure how much you should have in savings? One good guideline, according to most financial advisors, is to start an emergency fund that could cover three to six months of expenses. That may sound challenging, but you can start with a small amount and build it gradually.</p>
<p>While you're doing this, you might&nbsp; also want to sock something away for bigger expenses like <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/milestones/weddings/modern-wedding-trends-and-budgeting-explainer" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">a wedding</a>, a house or <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/travel/destinations/6-destinations-youve-never-heard-of-seth-kugel" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">a vacation</a>. One way to do this is to have a portion of your paycheck (say, 5% to 10%) automatically deposited directly into your savings account. Keeping this money out of your checking account can help you avoid the temptation to spend impulsively. You can even give your savings account a name like &ldquo;My Next Car&rdquo; to motivate you to continue putting funds there.</p>
<p>Saving for retirement? You may want to consider setting up an individual retirement account (IRA) or contributing to your company's retirement plan (e.g., 401(k) plan). Both 401(k)s and IRAs offer tax benefits, either when you contribute money or withdraw it, but keep in mind there are usually penalties for an early withdrawal.</p>
<p>It can also be smart to diversify your saving methods when you can. For example, low-risk, higher interest savings options such as <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/managing-money/money-market-account-or-cd-account" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">CDs or money market accounts</a> typically earn more than a regular savings account. You'll want to think through the pros and cons to figure out the best approach for you.</p>
<h2>Maximize a 401(k)&nbsp;</h2>
<p>If your company offers a 401(k) plan or other type of retirement plan, depending upon which type of company you work for, take advantage of it &mdash; it's never too early to start <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/milestones/retirement/the-new-retirement" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">planning for retirement</a>. Contributions reduce your taxable income and, on top of that, companies often match 3% to 6% of employee contributions, in effect doubling your savings. To make the most of compounded interest, it's helpful to invest early in your career and often. You may want to set up automatic deposits so that a designated amount of your paycheck goes right into your 401(k) or other type of plan.</p>
<h2>Get guidance from a financial advisor</h2>
<p>Consulting a professional for a <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/managing-money/save-money-with-a-financial-checkup" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">financial checkup</a> is often worthwhile. Financial advisors can help you establish long- and short-term savings goals, develop plans to <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/managing-money/how-to-pay-off-debt" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">pay down debt</a> and offer advice to help you <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/finance-101/how-to-get-and-keep-a-good-credit-score" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">improve your credit score</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>They can advise you on how to consolidate accounts, diversify and make changes to your investment portfolio. However, asset allocation and diversification do not guarantee success or protect against loss.</p>
<h2>Be strategic with credit and credit cards</h2>
<p>Understanding <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/finance-101/credit-101" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">how credit works</a> is key to bringing your financial picture into focus. One important aspect is your credit score, the number that represents the information contained in your credit history. This number is checked by renters, lenders, and utility and cell phone companies, among other businesses, so a high score is a valuable goal.</p>
<p>One way you can build credit is by applying for a credit card and demonstrating responsible credit card use. You'll want to first evaluate the terms and conditions of the credit card reward program as well as the costs associated with that card before choosing to apply (or when you're reassessing your current cards). Consider credit cards that enable you to earn something each time you use it, whether that means <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/managing-money/guide-to-best-cash-back-credit-cards" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">cash back cards</a>, <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/rewards/travel-credit-card-rewards-tips" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">travel rewards cards</a> or <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/managing-money/how-to-use-rewards-credit-cards" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">points-based rewards cards</a>. You can put rewards toward reaching a goal, like a vacation, or toward gift cards.</p>
<h2>Evaluate your spending personality</h2>
<p>What kind of a spender are you &mdash; selfless, spontaneous or more of a planner? When you have a sense of <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/savings/saving-money-hacks" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">your spending profile</a>, it can be easier to curb excessive spending and ramp up your savings. Impulse purchases can be tempting but they can also break your budget, so a better move is to save up for purchases instead. To start whittling away at your credit cards and loans, you might even want to embark on a <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/budgeting/how-to-save-money-by-doing-a-spending-fast" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">spending fast</a> for a week or two. When you buy only what you need, you can be surprised by how much you're able to put away.</p>
<p><em>&mdash; With additional reporting from Life and Money by Citi editors.</em></p>

This expert advice can help you budget and save, avoid or reduce debt, and invest in your future.

Helpful Tips for Managing Your Money

<p>If you've ever tried to finally get organized, or to become more of a morning person, you know the first step is figuring out why you avoid putting papers away or getting to bed at a decent hour. Changing spending habits is similar — it helps to understand why they started in the first place.</p><p>Their origin can vary, according to Sarah Newcomb, a behavioral scientist and author of "Loaded: Money, Psychology, and How to get Ahead Without Leaving Your Values Behind." "Some things related to money management are part of our personality," she says. "Others are inherited or absorbed from our surroundings as we grow up — and the same circumstances can produce very different results, depending on the person."</p><p>Which is to say, each person's perspective on money has been shaped by a unique mix of factors including family attitudes, peer influence, individual experiences, historical forces and our own always-evolving approach to decision making. If you want to improve your spending habits, it's useful to think about the influences guiding your financial decisions, Newcomb suggests.</p><p>"The <em>why</em> is often just as important as the <em>what</em>."</p><p>Each of us can identify with a particular spending profile, she believes, and once you determine what yours is, you're better equipped to improve your money habits. Read on to find the one that suits you best — and the advice that fits your financial personality.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/SELFLESS SPENDER-Cropped shot of handsome man hugging his beautiful girlfriend small._0.jpg" alt="man with beard being kissed on cheek" class="right_image" /><h3>Selfless spender</h3><p><strong>Defined by:</strong> A tendency to spend generously on others.</p><p><strong>What it means for your money:</strong> Spreading the financial love is noble, but it may leave you stretched thin when it comes to your savings.</p><p>If you're a selfless spender, try to: give more time and less money. If being generous is your goal, consider helping your friends and family by babysitting for free or running errands instead. Give yourself spending limits for gifts. (And nobody has to know something was on sale; the thought, not the price tag, is what counts.)</p><h3>Status spender</h3><p><strong>Defined by:</strong> Spending driven by a desire to keep up with the latest trends.</p><p><strong>What it means for your money: </strong>The focus on right now can potentially leave you unprepared for emergencies or longer-term goals such as retirement. </p><p>If you're a status spender, try to: institute a 48-hour rule before you buy. Delaying gratification gives you a cooling-off period to ensure this isn't an impulsive purchase you don't actually need. Take inventory as well. Look around at the objects in your home, paying special attention to pricey or status-driven purchases, and ask yourself whether you still use each. Recognizing the amount you've accumulated may help you curb the tendency in the future.</p><h3>Spontaneous spender</h3><p><strong>Defined by:</strong> Buying smaller items you don't necessarily need, on impulse.</p><p><strong>What it means for your money:</strong> Small purchases can add up to one big shortfall in your savings plan.</p><p>If you're a spontaneous spender, try to: Keep a financial diary. Each evening (or as regularly as you can), write down everything you bought that day; it's a simple act of accountability that can make you more mindful when shopping.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/spending-profile_body-2_1282653107 (1).jpg" alt="A woman gazes at items in a shop window." class="right_image" /><h3>Free spirit spender</h3><p><strong>Defined by:</strong> A hands-off approach to money management (i.e. no budgeting or number-crunching).</p><p><strong>What it means for your money:</strong> It's tough to save when it's unclear how much money is coming in and going out each month.</p><p>If you're a free spirit, try to: do one thing — big or small — to improve your finances each week. Create a budget, shop around for a better deal on your car insurance, pay an extra $10 to your credit card debt or round up your loose change and put it into savings. And consider letting an app do the saving for you. Some digital tools will link your checking account to enable no-fuss automatic savings deposits; this may help give you freedom to be a guilt-free spirit spender with some "fun" money left over.</p><h3>Planned spender</h3><p><strong>Defined by:</strong> A watertight budget, with savings included.</p><p><strong>What it means for your money:</strong> You're saving regularly but may not be taking time out to enjoy the benefits of your efforts.</p><p>If you're a planned spender, try to: Add a line item to your budget for fun. Give yourself some money every week or month to spend on whatever you want. (If you don't ever feel like you enjoy your money, you may sour on the idea of saving.) Make sure you're reserving funds for wants, and not only needs, too — think annual vacation or new electronics, and not just emergencies and retirement.</p>