3 Simple ways to save (or invest) a few extra pennies next year -- Aleteia

Adding some money to your under-the-mattress stash doesn't need to be rocket science.

Simply put, managing money is not an easy task. Contrary to what most instant prosperity apostles preach (from new-age-ish-money-making gurus to actual “prosperity Gospel” pastors), being on top of one’s own personal finances can be quite challenging. In fact, if money-making (and saving, and investing, and managing) were simple and straightforward, you would not have professionals specialized in accounting, finance, investing, budgeting or any other science, technique or activity involving economics.

But even if that is the case, some simple things are indeed within one’s own reach. In fact, these “little things” are often the ones that help get rid of debt and, in most cases, even get some money invested (or saved) in the right place. Here are three straightforward pieces of advice that can help you add some more quarters to your roll.

Do not buy those cashews while waiting for the train

In fact, skip that latte. You know what? Forget about take-out and keep your thumb away from that Seamless app. Classic grandma advice: “a poorly administered kitchen can ruin a house.”

If you can’t help eating out, try to follow the golden rule: do so only in social occasions

That is, make this extra food spending part of your “entertainment” budget. By the way, your “entertainment” budget should never go above 10 percent of your monthly income. In fact, 10 percent is quite generous, when you think of it. Make it less than that.

Choose a bill you don’t spend

Some people separate a single $100 bill a month and store it away in an untouchable drawer, or a small safe. Other people choose to store their $5 bills. By the end of the year, you can end up with a nice $1,000.