Finding it hard to make ends meet?

You're not alone. Many of us are feeling the pinch of inflation. With higher gas prices and housing costs reaching into the stratosphere, it's becoming harder and harder to save.

Wondering how you can squeeze more money out of your paycheck?

There's no doubt about it. The price of everything is going up.  In addition, we are constantly being bombarded with enticing ads that tempt us to buy all sorts of things we don't need robbing us of the ability to save. We need to be more careful of how and where we spend our money in order to be able to save it.

 Worried you won't have enough money to retire?

In order to start saving all the money that you'll need for retirement, you need to take 3 steps to set you on the road to saving big time. If you can't manage theses 3 steps, you will forever be playing catch-up. 

If you're finding it hard to save money today, you've come to the right place.

Here you'll find more than 101 ways to save money every day, money saving tips that could put 1000's of dollars in your pocket. 

Frugal Gifts For Mom's Day or Any Day

Mother's Day is the largest holiday of the year for florists. Coming in the heart of spring, it's hard to imagine why anyone would want to fork over $40 or more to a florist for something you can get for nothing. Look at all the bloomin' things around you -- dogwood trees, forsythia, lilacs, azaleas. Why not make your own floral creation from nature's spring bounty; recycle one of those florist vases sitting around the house or decorate an old coffee can or glass jar; make your own greeting card; and Voila!, you have a Mother's Day gift that comes straight from the heart -- and not the pocketbook.  This idea can work anytime nature is cooperating.

Soon it will be graduation day for many high school and college students, and you probably want to honor the college grad to a greater degree than the high school grad.  Most people simply write a check for a gift. Luggage is another big graduation gift. Why not give a gift that keeps on growing. How about stocK? Start a DRIP (Divident Reinvestment Plan) or open a Sharebuilder account that the grad can maintain for many years to come, a gift that grows and grows over the years and one that teaches fiscal responsibility to boot.

And for any special day, don't forget the "work release" plan. Free that special someone from work that you can do yourself -- 5 free carwashes, free housecleaning twice a month for two months, free babysitting once a week for 4 weeks, or any gift of time (work release) that you know would be appreciated.

This Week's Saving Partners