Now you’ve plotted your living expenses and your savings goals. Do they match? Probably not—and chances are it’s the expense side that still needs some work. Ask yourself where you can spend less without drastically cutting your standard of living. Don’t say you’re going to give up something to save money unless you feel confident you can do it. Otherwise, you’re just setting up your budget plan for failure.

Here’s a list of suggestions to help you cut corners and stick to your budget:

• Don’t buy anything on impulse.
• Pay off credit cards each month. Charge items only for convenience.
• Take your lunch and snacks to work. Avoid vending machines.
• Buy in bulk; use coupons.
• If you smoke, quit. It’s good for your health and your budget plan.
• Entertain at home instead of going to a restaurant.
• Put some money into savings every pay period. If your company or bank has an automatic savings plan, sign up.

If you’ve trimmed and cut, squeezed and cajoled every penny out of your expenses but still can’t meet your savings goals, re-evaluate your goals. You may be able to buy a Ferarri, but not within the next five years. Where appropriate, change the time frame or adjust the goal itself. You may also want to consider ways to increase your income, such as taking a part-time job.

Life’s Ups and Downs
Ideally you want to save at least 10% of your earnings, but no amount is too small. Saving your change in a jar? Good. Even a dollar a day adds up to $365 a year!

Life, however, has a way of upsetting even the best-laid budget plan. There are two ways to adapt to a budget-busting experience:

• For minor upsets, just get back on track as soon as you can.
• For major life changes, redo the budget plan and the savings goals. The loss of your job, a problem with your health or a natural disaster will naturally require you to rethink your budget plan.

Just Rewards
Think ahead to a day in the not-so-distant future. The day you pick up your new car. The day you move into your new house. The day you start on the trip of a lifetime. With a smart budget plan, those days—and those goals—can be within your reach.