How to save more effectively

1. Think twice… then a third time. Whether it's ordering the filet mignon, splurging on a weekend getaway, or having the choice to pay for parking instead of driving a little longer to find a street spot, you need to sit through your first instinct. Your initial reaction will almost always lead you astray because paying an extra $10 or $20 doesn't feel like a big deal, especially as your earnings go up. Unfortunately, as you're aware, all that spending adds up and suddenly you've got nothing left over to put into your IRA. As often as possible, you'll need to talk yourself out of the easy, more expensive option.

2. Schedule retirement contributions. Part of the reason people overspend is that they feel like money is just sitting around. The solution? Get that money out of your bank account and into a retirement account. At first, you might feel anxious about it, like you need that money to spend and you're depriving yourself of it. After a while, you'll start to enjoy investing, and watching your retirement account grow over time is almost as much fun as spending. If you need more motivation, putting money into an IRA is spending! You're buying stocks and bonds and giving your money a chance to grow. A little change of mindset will help you see the benefit of saving without becoming bored.

3. Check your monthly fees. From utilities to insurance to every other type of subscription, there's a good chance you're paying for something that you don't really use. Or, and this is just as common, you overpay for a service. When was the last time you looked at your car insurance policy? Or looked over your credit card statement to see what recurring charges are just slipping through your fingers? If you don't mind spending, you might turn a blind eye to bad spending. Fix that and you'll quickly save a decent amount of money.