New Year Resolution: Set Aside 10% for Yourself

If you haven't already done so, set aside 10% of your gross (before taxes) for yourself.

(Need help calculating 10%? Move the decimal in your paycheck one space to the left.)

Babe Ruth's check was made out for $6,595.38. Move the decimal one space to the left.

10% = $659.54.

Set that 10% aside and then forget about it. Seriously, don't think about it. Not even when you find that super amazing once in a lifetime deal.

Not even then.

The best way to do this is to take it straight off the top, before you even see it. If your employer allows you to do an allotment, this is the way to go.

Open a savings account. There are online savings accounts, if you're interested.

If you can't do 10%, then now is the time to be brutally honest with yourself. No excuses. Refer to the budget you made earlier and figure out where you're going to cut back. If you can't find 10%, you're living above your means.