Savings advice is rife with trite admonishments that just don't get to the root of the problem of spending too much and saving too little. What if the latest diet book advised readers to "just eat less," or a book about how to become a millionaire said only "just earn more"? The problem is how to actually get there, and in many cases this means using a psychological approach to tackle your financial problems. Here we take a look at some unusual tactics to help you save more.
1. Think Gray
According to a study at Stanford University, when young people are shown an image of how they will look in 40-plus years, most reported that they would save twice as much as those who didn't see the image. The increasing length of the average lifespan (not to mention the questions surrounding the future of Social Security) make saving for a retirement a key part of financial planning. But, in order to set and meet long-term financial goals, young savers need to be able to envision the future - and themselves in it. Take a look at your senior family members and try to envision what you will look like when you are in your 60s, 70s and 80s. It might just help give you the push you need to get that retirement savings plan off the ground. After all, if you have to imagine yourself with gray hair, wrinkles and a crooked back, wouldn't it be nice to picture yourself on a beach somewhere, rather than struggling to get by in some drafty apartment? (For more insight, see Delay In Retirement Savings Costs More In The Long Run.)