Saving money is never easy, but having a specific, manageable goal will give you a better chance at succeeding. So, try setting your savings bar at $1,000 for a year.
Try out some of the tips offered to Bankrate by frugal living experts and financial planners to see which ones work best for your lifestyle.
To start, here's a piece of advice from Rich Arzaga, founder and CEO of Cornerstone Wealth Management in San Ramon, Calif.
"It's better to save something today and make progress rather than to wait until tomorrow to start," Arzaga says. "If you can't save $1,000 at the rate you hope, you can take refuge in the idea that the best way to eat a cow is one hamburger at a time."