I know you're supposed to put away money into savings on a regular basis.

Do you?  

Some say you should save for a rainy day, for unexpected bills, for a home improvement, for a little something extra.

With all the monthly bills, it's not easy to put away savings.

Some say that we should find a way to use up all our paycheck on bills and food and rent or mortgage.

Some say that if you are highly structured, you can find a way to take that money for savings from right off the top of your paycheck.

Some say that if you don't put away some regular savings, you could be hit hard when a minor emergency comes along.

Some say that you should put into savings, yearly, an amount equal to one-fourth your annual income.

Some say putting away savings is an option we should try to do; others say it's not an option. It's mandatory.

I say (are you ready for this?) save pennies.  Literally.  Okay — not just  pennies, but all kinds of coins and, yes, once in a while throw in a dollar or two.  And if you are particularly blessed one day to have an extra $10 — that, too.

Where to throw it?  Aha — there's the rub — it must be thrown into a time-locked vault which will only open in the year two thousand and ____!   

Am I joking?  A little.  Throw your coins and bills into a piggy bank or can with no opening on the bottom (or anywhere else).  When the bank/can is full — use it.  Use it for a savings deposit, a trip to your in-laws, or whatever else you'd like.

Would I advocate making a regular savings deposit as well as throwing it in the can?  

Email me at robertebsen@hotmail.com and I'll let you know my answer.