It's America Saves Week!  It's time to start spending like there IS a tomorrow.  Spending smart can help you save more.  Being smart about spending doesn't have to mean sacrificing enjoyment.  It's about identifying ways to spend on what you truly want and can afford, and about deciding where your money goes rather than wondering where it went. 

• Can you spend less on what you don't care much about or can do without?  Small expenses and savings can add up.  Find out how at www.icmarc.org/smallchange
• Do you really need it?  When confronting a big decision like a major purchase, ask yourself:  Do you really need it?  Can you really afford it? Try sleeping on it and asking yourself do you really want it?  Are you going to really use it?
• Reduce High Costs? Can you refinance, reduce, or eliminate high fixed costs that you experience every month so you have more flexibility in your budget?  Aside from mortgages and car payments think about insurance premiums, membership fees, and cell phone, cable, and internet bills.
• Do you track your spending?  Use technology, such as a website or app, or more traditional methods, like a spreadsheet or a notebook, whatever works for you to help you get a closer look at where you're actually spending your money.
• Look out for spending traps: Membership clubs, group discount websites, coupons, and savings apps can all save you money.  But they can also lead you to spend more than you otherwise would. 
• Be careful using credit:  Credit cards can have lots of perks but even if you earn rewards cash or points, that's likely not a good trade off, especially if you carry a balance.
• Pay in advance where possible: By doing so, you minimize debt and avoid worries about how to pay for it later!
• Focus on total cost: If you do borrow, focus on total cost more than monthly payments.  Even if the monthly payments are higher along the way, you ultimately come out ahead.  Get more personal finance tips and tools at www.icmarc.org/education