Lucky 13 emergency savings strategies
By Cheryl Allebrand • Bankrate.com

Saving for emergencies doesn't have to be about painful cutbacks or Draconian spending measures. Sometimes we get so focused on where we're going to find extra money that we forget the easy pickings are in setting up good savings strategies. Follow these 13 tips to save money without even trying.

Quick tricks to save Implement these 13 tactics for a reversal of fortune.

Surefire emergency fund builders 1. Autopilot saving and bill pay 2. After paying off debt, keep paying yourself 3. Enforce 24-hour rule on impulse buys 4. Leave the credit cards at home 5. Plan ahead, budget for fun 6. Make things 'interest'-ing 7. Learn to save short-term splurges 8. Reward yourself 9. Remove the temptation 10. Treat it like a friend 11. Keep them separated 12. Enjoy compounding for a change 13. Treat it like taxes

1. Autopilot saving and bill pay
Have your savings automatically deducted from your paycheck before it even hits your checking account. It's easy -- most banks will let you set it up online in a matter of minutes.

Set your fixed bills to be deducted as well, either through automated debit or online bill pay, so you're not tempted to touch the money. The added bonus is you'll never get hit with late or missed payment penalties.