It's one thing to say you want to save more money and become a saver versus a spender. But actually changing savings into something that's habitual can take practice.

Have no fear. As someone who is a BORN spender, I can tell you, it's not impossible to trade in your customer loyalty card for a healthy savings account balance.

Saving money can be a habit and not a chore. It has become almost second nature to my husband and me, and while we're not always perfect at it I am proud of the progress we have made.

So today I wanted to share five tips for turning spending into a habit and not a chore.

1. Start small

Like most good habits it starts with small manageable goals. Start with $10 a pay period and then move to $15 the next pay period. Just keep building.

2. Treat savings like a bill

Just like you pay your mortgage, electricity and phone bill every month, make savings a monthly line item on your budget.

3. Set a time frame

Setting a time gives you an end goal and helps you work toward a goal.

If you know you have to save $1,000 in the next four months and you get paid bi-weekly you will need to save $125 from each paycheck.

While I am a BIG advocate of ongoing savings, but setting small goals can help you not feel overwhelmed or give up as easily.

4. Make it automatic

Have your savings direct deposited into your savings account each pay period. This way your savings builds without you even thinking about it.

Personally, I like to move the money to savings myself, I like the satisfaction it gives me when I watch that number go up.

5. Divert temptation

This is a tip a subscriber gave me. Write down where you would have spent money on something you really didn't need like a $3.50 on coffee or $1 on a sweet tea and transfer that to savings. These little things add up fast.

What about you? What would you add to the list?

Featured