You know that putting aside some money on a regular basis is important, but you may wonder how realistic it is, especially when you're burdened with a never-ending list of bills or are starting out on your own. And, those six-figure-per-year jobs haven't yet come your way! So what do you do? The first and most important thing is to work at paying down high-cost debt.
You can get into the habit of saving even when your income is low. Even if you can set aside just $5 or $10 every paycheck, you're on the road. As you earn raises or bonuses, you can increase the amount you save. The bottom line: Put a little in savings on a regular basis.
You may consider getting a second job. You can put the money you make from this second job right into savings. Don't even touch it. If you decide to get a part-time job, make sure that it's something you enjoy so you don't end up dreading it. For example, perhaps you enjoyed playing sports growing up and you'd enjoy putting that knowledge to work as a youth sports referee or umpire. If you're strapped and barely making ends meet, you can also cut expenses.
