Want to save money? Then you need a budget. Many people work without one. But consider yourself a small (really, really small) company. What company would work without an operating budget? None. At least none that plan to stay in business. And you want to be a successful, so you can give everyone (you) in your company a raise.

A budget is important because it helps you keep track of how much money you have to spend each month and all your costs are accounted for. Keeping your spending in check with a budget (pardon the pun; we love bank humor) allows you to stay away from buying things with credit cards. Having high credit card debt, especially on cards with high interest rates is like giving away hundreds of dollars a month. Dollars you could be saving, hording for yourself.

If you have high credit card debt, consider consolidation (See Understanding Debt Consolidation). Call each of your credit card companies and negotiate your interest rate (a.k.a. APR). Usually they do. You don't even have to ask that nicely. They really do it. They'd rather have your money than not. That's how business works.

Another cool thing about treating yourself like a company is that you pay yourself. Pick an amount of your monthly income to pay yourself. Keep an additional amount for bills. Then put the rest away in savings or even an IRA. After a couple of months, your company will be making (a.k.a. saving) money. And soon enough you'll be able to give your favorite employee (you) a raise or a bonus!