Not saving? Strategies to help you start.

Americans have been spending more than they save for nearly two years. To turn it around, experts say, know your weaknesses.

from the March 5, 2007 edition

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"People focus on the small ways that they can save money, [such as] don't buy the latte," Bolson says. "But I think you can save a lot of money if you focus on the big things." At home, for instance, "the fewer square feet you have, the less money you're going to spend on insurance, property taxes, maintenance, and, of course, on the home itself."

Experts agree that after adjusting spending patterns, savers should steer their gains to where they'll have the most impact. If an employer matches 401(k) contributions, Sarenski says, then employees should fund that program even before paying down certain credit-card debt because the payoff is so strong. After that, paying down debt on credit cards and student loans rank as high priorities in his opinion because they free up cash for building nest eggs down the line.

For would-be savers unencumbered by pride, author Michael Ellenbogen has a few suggestions. Before shopping, he says, do an Internet search with store names and "lowest price" or "coupons," and then ask managers to beat the competition's prices. In his 2006 book, "The Insider's Guide to Saving Money," he explains exactly what's involved in reusing vacuum cleaner bags and negotiating prices on just about anything.

"There's always somebody out there who's willing to make a little bit less," Mr. Ellenbogen says.

Even with strategies tailored to specific personalities, experts say accountability systems are often necessary. Sarenski suggests spouses agree to consult each other before either spends more than $50 on a single purchase. Unmarried people, he says, sometimes agree to help one another keep spending in check.

Ultimately, experts insist that saving money is like dieting: it requires patience and consistency to realize progress. And that means living somewhat counterculturally in a consumer nation.

"In our society today, with all the ads we see and everything, instant gratification is touted a lot more than patience and self-discipline," Sarenski says. "So we've got those things working against us."

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