Saving money has become a hot topic. Just recently, I did two interviews on how to save money. And this month SHARE asked me to write about it. I know that many of you may be saying, “Save?!? I live paycheck to paycheck. There’s nothing left after I pay the bills!” Things may appear that way on the surface. But if we all look at our spending, we can find some money to deposit into our savings account.

The first step to saving is tracking your spending. Every time you spend money, record it. Develop a sheet that has categories (groceries, kids, pets, gas, eating out, snacks, etc.) and list every dollar and cent you spend in the appropriate category. Do this exercise for three weeks and add your spending up at the end of each week. This will allow you to better understand where all the small change (that adds up to BIG change) is going. Look at your totals and ask yourself the basic question about each of your purchases: “Is this a need or a want?” Answer that question honestly, and you’ll most likely find that there are some ways you can economize.

Secondly, pay down your credit card and use cash instead. Credit card companies are beginning to feel the same pressures as other financial markets. They are lowering credit limits and raising interest rates—even for people with good credit. Now is the time to pay down the balances and use cold, hard cash for your everyday purchases like gas, groceries, entertainment and household goods. When you use cash, you automatically change your spending habits. By using cash, you may find that you actually have extra money each pay period. Use that money to feed your savings account.

Third, pay your savings account each payday. Call your bank and set up an automatic transfer each pay period. It’s true—if you don’t see the money, you won’t miss it. The amount saved will be different for each of us. But even if you can only save $25 a paycheck, that money will be available for emergencies and it can help you avoid using a credit card, payday loan, or other type of debt.

Finally, keep your financial life organized. Pay your bills on time to avoid late fees, over-limit fees and bank charges. Plus, you need to understand where you stand financially at all times. Record each transaction in your register and balance your checkbook monthly. Know when your bills are due, and know your credit limits so that you can stay well below them. Ideally, less than 50% of your credit limit should be in use.

We can all find ways to cut back on some of our spending habits and begin saving. We don’t have to deny ourselves entirely of life’s pleasures; we just can’t have all of them. Find what’s important to your family and make the most of it, but be sure to cut back on those things that have little meaning. Let’s give the phrase “It’s time to fatten the hog” a new meaning: “It’s time to fatten our piggy banks!”