All too often, paychecks seem to evaporate into thin air, not even leaving a trace. While this happens to everyone at times, there are ways to avoid it. Consider the following ideas about how to spend less and save more on a monthly basis.

1. Have a financial plan. We all need one. Plan to save or you won’t save anything at all. Before you spend a dime on anything else, put aside ten percent of your paycheck at least once a month. It would be ideal to do it with each paycheck that you earn in a month, but sometimes that is not possible. Start with a goal of one paycheck and work your way up. To keep from forgetting, you can have the money deducted from your check and sent to a savings account each pay period. That way, you don’t even have to think about it. It is done before the rest of the money is deposited in your checking account.

2. Grocery shop with a shopping list. A good shopping list will keep you from going into the store needing one or two small things but leaving with several carts full of things you never did and never will need. A list keeps you focused on what you need and blocks out what you don’t. Make a list at home based on what you see is missing from kitchen cupboards and cabinets. Keeping a running list of the things that you need on the refrigerator will help you make sure that all the essentials make it onto your grocery list.

3. Clip coupons. Coupons are most readily available for use at grocery stores. Department stores, however, put out coupons that decrease total purchase prices by a certain percentage or dollar amount. Use this to your advantage by buying a sweater or coat, for example, when the season is almost over and, desperate to sell their stock, stores offer coupons on top of fifty percent discounts. Beware, though, of stores that mark up items that they offer coupons on in an effort to attract business. Don’t go to a store just because they have a coupon sale. Instead, continue to shop at the same places you always have, being aware of all opportunities to save with coupons. Some shops give out free discount cards to use with weekly advertised sales. You can really save yourself some money by adding coupon savings to these sale prices.

4. Don’t impulse buy. Rule of thumb: Don’t purchase anything the first time you see it. This rule goes for big ticket items like cars, furniture, appliances, and electronics. Give yourself time to comparison shop to find the best deal. All the stores of the world won’t sell out of DVD players overnight. Waiting may show that the item you wanted to buy was a want and not a need. In that case, after clearing your head, you might not go back and buy it anyway.

5. Reward yourself. Make a list of your wants and reward yourself for saving money by making a well planned purchase of something you truly want. Decide not just what things you want but also which will be the most useful to you. Then start saving until you can earn your reward.

While saving up to buy the first thing on your wish list, you will be building up your savings account, preparing it for a dream purchase. Keeping your goals firmly set in mind will help you reach them faster.

Saving money is a great habit to form, no matter how you look at it. You can strengthen your finances, look forward to purchasing things you really want, and feel confident in being ready for unexpected expenses as well.