Saving money is hard work when you’re used to spending the entirety (or more) of your paycheque. Here are five ways to trick yourself into saving that little extra bit:

• Automatic savings: set up a scheduled transfer that takes out a small percentage out of your paycheque and deposits it into a high-interest savings account.
• Pocket money: eftpos and credit cards make it hard to monitor spending. Set a maximum spend limit per week and withdraw that amount in cash. A nearly empty wallet will inspire all sorts of rationing.
• Bank it elsewhere: if transferring money out of your high-interest savings account and into your day-to-day account is too easy, set up a savings account with another bank. The inconvenience of waiting a couple of days for your money to appear should be enough of a dampener on impulsive spending.
• Hide it in the home loan: chuck extra money into the home loan. Money goes in easily enough but redraw comes with strings attached.
• Piggy bank: chuck your loose change into a jar. You’ll find you won’t miss it.