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Use the 24 hour rule. 

The 24 hour rule may help you avoid purchasing expensive or unnecessary items on impulse.

Think over each nonessential purchase for at least 24 hours. This is particularly easy to do while shopping online, because you can add items to your cart or wish list and come back to them a day later - the retailer may even send you a discount code.

Unsubscribe from email lists.

Avoid temptation by unsubscribing from marketing emails to the stores you spend the most money at. By law, each email is required to have an unsubscribe link, usually at the bottom of the email.

Save your loose change.

Tired of having pockets full of loose change? Putting aside just 50¢ everyday over a year will get you almost 40 percent of the way to a $500 emergency fund!

Plan gift giving well in advance.

It's never too early to start saving up for Christmas presents or anniversary gift.

That way, you will have time to come up with a super thoughtful gift, which usually are not the most expensive ones. Plus, you will have the opportunity to compare prices from different stores and look for sales.

Stick to water.

It’s standard in the restaurant industry to mark up the cost of alcohol by three to five times. So an easy way to cut down on your restaurant spending without changing your habits too drastically is to skip the beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

Aim for short-term savings goals.

Just getting started on your savings journey? Make a goal such as setting aside $20 a week or month, rather than a long-term savings goal. People save more successfully when they keep short-term goals in sight.

Keeping it in a separate savings account may help you be even more successful: See our savings accounts

Establish your budget

Are you looking for an easy way to begin your budget?

On the first day of a new month, start collecting a receipt for everything you purchase throughout the month. Stack the receipts into categories like restaurants, groceries, and personal care. At the end of the month you will be able to clearly see where your money went.

You can also use online or mobile banking to track your spending: FNBonline