The easiest one that I've found is to put away some amount directly from your paycheck - say $50 to $100 in a separate savings account. Many employers will have the ability for you to do that even before your paycheck goes in to your checking account. You have to mentally categorize this account as one that you cannot touch. This way, you'll automatically end up saving quite a bit - upto $1200 a year. The other option is to have these deposits go into your IRA account if you're eligible.
If you still use your landline and you don't want to give it up, you might want to consider going on the pay as you dial plan. Most phone lines don't even promote it anymore because they lose money on it. Because most people use cell phones they don't use their land lines as much any longer. I have saved $10 a month doing this. It's not much but it helps.
Do your best in todays economy to live within your means even if it means cutting out the things ("luxury" items) within your lifestyle of choice. If you can't pay the balance on the credit card each month, don't use it. Take the money you would have used to buy a "luxury" item and put it in a savings device instead (pay yourself first).
This is an important time to review not only your credit worthiness but things you have financed. By improving credit scores, you may have the opportunity to refinance existing accounts to lower interest rates, thus improving your cashflow. If you find your credit to be less then perfect, you can find resources to achieve better scores and history. Maintaining a high score in the 700's keeps you in control and away from substandard interest rates. The difference you you pay in interest with a 620 credit score compared to a 700 is litterally thousands of dollars over the course of time. Why not put those saved dollars into something more productive.
This is a great time to invest in Real Estate, I try to buy as much as possible for myself and others, not only have I been a Real Estate Investor for the past 30 years, I show others how to do the same, I have always made money in Real Estate, its how the game is played. e-mail me with any questions.
Don't let today's bills sink tomorrow's needs: Supporting yourself and your family is not easy. Chances are, especially if you have children, your household expenses will grow over time. That's why it's important, especially through times of difficulty and new expenses, to keep contribution toward your retirement. When you are thinking of reducing or ceasing investing for your future to cover current expenses, stop, think, and try to find another way to cover your current expenses.
My suggestion for people who have a hard time saving is to put away some money directly from every pay check before it goes into your checking account. Start with $50 every pay check and see if you can do without it. The first month you might feel the pinch but if it's not in your checking account you probably won't spend it.
One year, put your entire state and federal tax return in your savings/money market/etc account. That
way, in future years (when you need to buy a new car, pay for a major repair [like replacing your air conditioning system], you can continue living with missing a beat.