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The Basics Of Saving More

BOSTON (CBS) - As a society we need to save more. Our government can print up money but you and I cannot!

Almost every goal we set or decision we make as adults has a financial component. You want the American dream; a house, kids, college for the kids, and a comfortable retirement. That all costs money!

Saving money is important. And in order to save money you will need to spend your time. If you could save $100 on groceries and spend 2 hours doing it that is the equivalent of getting paid $50 an hour.

The sad thing about the food we buy is that the average family wastes about $2,200 in food each year.

To buy that first house you need a down payment. You have to save to get that down payment.

Having kids makes you start thinking about the cost of college. You know that a college degree for most kids means a better job. How much do you need to save to educate junior?

One of your goals is a comfortable retirement. You need to save money to have a comfortable retirement.

The average monthly Social Security check for this year (2015) is about $1,300! Can you live on that? Possibly if you are living in a trailer in Mississippi. Definitely not here in New England.

In order to achieve your dreams you are going to have to save more money and learn to invest. And there are ways to save on everything we do and purchase. So my plan is a Spending Plan.

I don't want you to give up the things you think are important just figure out a way to pay less for them. You can spend your money but spend it more wisely and if you are able to save on everything you purchase you could have those extra dollars needed to achieve your goals.

Saving 10% of your net pay would be a good beginning. Saving 10-40% on everything you need to purchase is a way to achieve that.

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You can hear Dee Lee's expert financial advice on WBZ NewsRadio 1030 each weekday at 1:55 p.m., 3:55 p.m., and 7:55 p.m.

Subscribe to Dee's Money Matters newsletter here.

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