150 million people in the United States aren’t saving enough for retirement, or aren’t saving anything. Maybe you are one of these people who are just not able to save money right now. But not saving money today, will cost you in the future. Here are some ways to save money each and every month, and to prepare you for a more secure future financially.

One of the ways to save money is to save all the extra money that you receive. This includes money from all raises and overtime pay. You also need to save any monetary gifts that you receive and any interest that you earn. Any money that you get back from a refund should be saved, too. This money is outside of your personal finances, so it technically should have no impact on your budget. (It would be nice to buy something for yourself for your birthday, and to enjoy the few extra dollars you get from working so hard, but you will be much better off in the long run to save every extra dollar you get.)

You will also need to save money from your personal finances. The price of food has gone way up, making it necessary to find ways to save money on food. Start bringing your lunch to work and stop buying soda and snacks from vending machines. Cut back on snacks and junk food that you purchase from the grocery store. Eat less meat in your diet; it’s one of the most expensive food items at the store. Instead, have scrambled eggs, spaghetti (without meatballs) and vegetable soup. Get creative and look for meatless recipes on the Internet. Also, stop buying alcohol to save money, and start buying and making your own coffee instead of purchasing it already made.

Another one of the ways to save money on your personal finances is to be conscious of the energy used in your home. Always turn off the light when leaving a room, and don’t use the light at all on sunny days. Adjust the thermostat on your air conditioning and heater. A slight shift in temperature can make a big difference in the bill.

The price of gas goes up almost daily, so it’s vital to find ways to save money on it. Plan errands so that you go out less often. Have the route planned ahead of time to drive as little as possible. To get better gas mileage, remove anything unnecessary from your vehicle. The heavier it is, the more fuel it consumes. Driving slower will also help you to get better gas mileage. Every 10 miles per hour that you drive, your vehicle’s miles per gallon drop. When parking your vehicle, park in the first available space available. Not driving around to look for a closer spot to the building will help you use less fuel and save money.

Once you are able to save money from your personal finances, have the money automatically withdrawn from your account each month. Add any extra money you receive to your savings or investment account as soon as possible. This will prevent you from being tempted to use it somewhere else, or to relieve the pressure of the tightness of your budget with that extra money. It’s not easy to save money in this economy, but that makes it more important than ever.

Resource Box: Gina Clark writes on financial issues. Visit her blog to learn additional ways to save money and manage personal finances.