As for saving up for ’stuff,’ we use what I like to call ’savings streams’. I have several automatic pulls from my checking account into various savings accounts that are easy to set up at any online bank. These are small amounts, and I don’t really notice them coming from the checking account. However, over time, they tend to add up quickly. We have one set up that is always saving for a vacation. I’m redirecting several of my existing streams to pay off my car loan really really fast, and it’s working wonderfully. We’d like to have a new TV, so I set up another account and a new stream to it. In several months, we’ll have the cash to buy whatever TV we want, without borrowing or worrying about it. We also do the same things to furniture and other ‘expensive’ stuff. It’s work for us, but be forewarned that it makes tracking your checking account balance nearly impossible, so you have to be careful.