If you have a money market account that you use as a checking account, beware. With many money market accounts you get interest and check writing privileges and a debit card to boot.

When you budget you money it’s wise to have separate account for banking and checking. Buy cheap personal checks online and save money as well as find a wealth of designs, categories of styles to suit your personal taste.

You need a clear wall of separation so you don’t intermingle and loose budgeting discipline. Separate savings and checking accounts create a physical and psychological barrier so you don’t dip into your savings. You need to treat those savings as "for emergency only."