It pays to save: Small changes can add up to big savings

You've paid all your bills this month – and you still have extra money. What do you do? Buy that pair of boots you've been eyeing? Splurge on a dinner with friends? What if you decided to save that extra money?

You'd be surprised how quickly saving a little each month adds up – and that all it takes is a few small adjustments to your current financial behavior to do it.

Here are some ways you can develop better saving habits:

• Make a budget
  Whether it's weekly or monthly, a budget will give you a better idea of what you can afford to put into a savings account
• Open a savings account
  If you're saving for a specific goal like a vacation or new car, go to your financial institution and open up a new savings account just for that
• Reward yourself
  Most credit cards offer some type of reward benefit for making purchases with their card, whether it's points or cash back
• Clip coupons
  Don't just recycle those grocery flyers – take a look inside to see what is on sale. Sometimes you can find great deals on items that you buy regularly
• Be flexible
  Save money on taxes by enrolling in your company's Flexible Spending Account. You contribute through a pretax payroll deduction and then file a claim to be reimbursed for eligible expenses relating to medical care, dependent care, parking and transit
• Invest
  Participate in your company's 401(k) plan. (Some companies even offer an employer match if you contribute to your plan!) Similar to a Flexible Spending Account, your contributions are deducted from your payroll prior to taxes so you also save money that way