Saving money (and losing weight) requires dedication and consistency over time. Of course you won't always be perfect and you might slip up every now and then, but understanding that your plan is a long-term goal will help you maintain realistic expectations and stick with it, says Casey Bond, a financial expert and managing editor for GoBankingRates.com.
Take action: If you get frustrated by not seeing major changes, try the snapshot technique: Every three months, take a screenshot of your bank account balance (be sure to leave out sensitive private information), and a full-body pic of yourself. It may be harder to recognize on a day-to-day basis, but the proof is in the pictures.
