The savings rate in the United States has traditionally been negative since the Great Depression fears ended. However, consumers are now experiencing the same thoughts and feelings of their ancestors and are looking for ways to save. So, what are some good ways to boost your savings and have more cash down the road? Here's five tips that we've found to be most effective:

1. Automate Your Savings - Setup an automatic 401(k) or IRA retirement plan, so you don't even see the money in your spending accounts. This makes it much easier to save from a psychological point of view.
   
   
2. Use Rewards Credit Cards - Everyone has to spend money and one way to save money is to use rewards credit cards that offer you gifts in exchange for making purchases. However, be careful not to use one that has an annual fee.
   
   
3. Search Out Deals - Getting better deals from your service providers is often as easy as asking. Competition among cable and phone companies will force them to cut your rates to compete while credit card rates and debt settlements can also be negotiated to lower rates.
   
   
4. Drive Smoothly - Breaking and speeding can add up quickly in the cost of gas for your auto. As a result, driving with cruise control and hot speeding in the city can help you save money on your gas bill.
   
   
5. Use Coupons or Rebates - Coupons and rebates are free ways to save money. A little extra time spent at night clipping coupons can help save a lot of money at the grocery store. Remember, $2 saved is already a gallon of gas or 20 miles or more on some cars!