Love and happiness makes the world go ’round. However, money brings the bacon to the table. Money is probably the single most important thing to any thriving household in America. The only problem is that it’s extremely difficult to save any of it. Unless you’re a huge cheapskate, I guarantee you have at one point burned a gigantic hole right through your pocket. Don’t fret though, because I am here to tell you how to save your cash. First of all, you need to make money to save money, so obviously the smartest thing is to get a job. In high school this may be slightly difficult, but with enough perseverance anyone can find a job somewhere, even if it’s at a fast food joint. Personally, I have had a job since I started high school, so spending and saving money is no stranger to me. The easiest way to save money is to open a bank account. Having your entire paycheck in cash form in your back pocket makes it very easy, and tempting, to spend. I have found that not physically seeing my money actually helps me save it. Plus, opening that bank account when you have a few hundred dollars in it is one of the coolest feelings in the world. Another handy trick to remember when trying to save money is to not waste it on trivial things. This means the things you don’t absolutely need, the things that will end up forgotten underneath your bed in less than a month, and things you can get cheaper or even free at other places. My personal weakness is fast food. After a long day of work, it’s so much easier to just stop somewhere and buy something than it is to wait until I get all the way home. So five bucks and two double bacon cheeseburgers later, I’m happy; however, I’m out five dollars. It’s the little things like that that will slowly but surely dwindle your bank account down to nothing. Now don’t get me wrong, money is made to spend. Not using it completely defeats the purpose of its existence. There are a few times when splurging is acceptable. For example, special moments like Christmas and someone’s birthday is a fine time to go a bit crazy with your cash. Back-to-school shopping and summer-clothes shopping is also okay to spend more than usual; you’re going to be buying things that will last a while, so it balances out in the end. Saving money is great: the more you have, the happier you usually are. It’s also nice for those times when you actually need a large amount of money. An occasional splurge is acceptable; just remember not to get carried away. Don’t let a hole burn through your pocket, but don’t hide it away in an impenetrable vault either. Be smart.