If credit cards don't work for you, check out Dave Ramsay, he has a very low tolerance for debt. That being said, if you can handle credit cards, not using the

If credit cards don't work for you, check out Dave Ramsay, he has a very low tolerance for debt. That being said, if you can handle credit cards, not using them is just leaving money on the table. I get 2% back everywhere (more in certain categories), which is better than most high interest savings accounts. If you don't get that 2% back, you're still paying the interchange fees (~3%) for other people because stores don't charge a different amount for cash/debit vs credit. However, getting 2% (or more) back isn't worth it if you end up spending more money. The emphasis should be on changing spending behavior, not on payment optimization My wife isn't very good at saving, so our solution is that I review our spending periodically and we discuss anything over $50 that isn't routine spending (e.g. grocery stores), and we each get $X/month for guilt-free spending. She tends to spend it as she "earns" it, while I save up month to month until there's a good deal so I get more value, add I occasionally treat her if she's run out of cash and has a craving.