Moneyville

Saving can become a habit, like brushing your teeth. You become so used to doing it that you don't think about it too often. Here are some guidelines that will help you be a smart saver:

1. Start early - Now!
2. Save as much as you can.
3. Earn the most interest that you can.
4. Look for the savings institutions that figure the interest rate the most frequently.
5. Leave the money in the account, to take advantage of compound interest.

One of the easiest ways to get started with savings is to put money away in a bank. You can use a "Piggy Bank Wrapper" at this website www.asec.org/toolshm.htm to make your own bank from an empty can.

For bigger goals in your future, consider opening a savings account. This way the bank will pay you interest on your money. Say you put $100 in the bank earning 4% interest. After the first year, you will earn $4 in interest for a total of $104. What's more, your interest will earn interest, too!

If you want to save to buy a computer, you can!

Start saving whatever you can from gifts, allowances and part-time jobs. If you are able to save $50 per month, and if you earn 3% return on your money, you will have $927 in 18 months to buy your computer. Congratulations!

If you simply want to save, you can.
Start now. Even small amounts saved regularly add up over time. Some mutual fund companies will allow you to save as little as $25 per month. With that amount and an 8% return, you can accumulate $10,000 in 16 1/3 years. Imagine the possibilities!