Having a contingency account or a "rainy day" fund as our grandparents used to call it, is smart. If you want to set aside money for vacation instead of charging it, if you want to have an emergency fund in case something unexpected happens, or if you just like knowing that you have extra money in the bank, read on for tips on how to save money painlessly. 

1- Eat at Home

One of the biggest ways in which people spend their money frivolously is through eating out. Whether you like sit-down restaurants or you are a big fan of the drive through, you should consider making your food at home if you really want to save some money. Try saving all of the money you would spend on fast food and putting it into your savings account. This is much better for your health in the long run, anyway. If you like to eat throughout the day, bring a snack with you to work to help curb those urges to hit the drive-through. Always knowing what's for dinner will help you avoid eating out. To that end, a meal planning guide is a wise investment.

2- Avoid Frivolous Spending

Easier said than done, right? Avoiding frivolous spending is probably the number one way to save some money but that is one of the toughest things to do. Making wise purchases is better for the environment also. Consumerism run amok is to the detriment of our earth. If you find it nearly impossible to avoid frivolous spending, work on leaving your cash at home. Or take just as much money as you need to buy the things that you went out for in the first place and avoid wandering around the store.

3 -Watch Your Heating and Cooling Bills

The cost of power is outside our control, but by turning the thermostat down (or up in the case of air conditioning) you can save yourself a lot of money. Try using your ceiling fans for a month and hanging your laundry outside when weather permits, and see what the difference is in your bill—you might be very surprised.

More resources:
Family Budgeting Guide