Save Money
Step by Step
 
Your Guide
Liz Pulliam Weston MSN Money columnist Liz Pulliam Weston answers reader questions in the Your Money message board.



More Resources
The 7 biggest financial decisions
Here's a hint: None of them involve whether to buy stock in Yahoo! These big decisions come early in life and can be difficult to change once you've made them.

Q&A on Saving Money
General Questions
Certificates of Deposit
Money Market Accounts
Savings Accounts
Sweep Accounts
U.S. Savings Bonds

Related Step by Steps Create a Retirement Plan
Invest for Retirement
Save for College


How much do you really spend on dining out? Microsoft Money will create a personalized budget for you in three easy steps.
Step 1: Get started
It sounds simple, but for many people, saving money requires a new discipline.

10 strategies to save money

How small spending cuts become huge savings

Budget Tracker
Create a simple monthly budget and save it on the Web. You can access your budget from anywhere and see how your actual spending compares with budgeted amounts.

Step 2: Set goals
Saving without a purpose works for misers, but the rest of us need something to keep us motivated. It could be a new car, a new home or a new roof.

9 steps to help you meet your goals

Savings Calculator
Determine how much you'll save over a period of time or how long it will take to reach a goal.

Step 3: Create an emergency fund
As you start to save, put aside three to six months' worth of income to cover life's unexpected calamities, small and large.

Set up an emergency fund

Budget busters happen, so plan for them

Q&A: Emergency Fund

Step 4: Shop for the best rates
Why let your money sit around earning a paltry 2% when there are plenty of financial institutions willing to pay 5% and more?

How to find the best savings rates

Bank Rates
Compare rates on deposit accounts from more than 2,500 financial institutions nationwide.

Step 5: Prepare to invest
Now it's time to put the money you've saved to work.

Investor Insight

Advisor Finder


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