MONEY MATTERS: Does saving $1 a day help?

Cute coin bank by Tiffany & Co

So how much money do you have in your personal savings account, the one that's all for yourself? I put away about 10% of my income into the family savings accounts plus insurance savings plans for me and my daughter, but all these are for family use, emergencies, and plans for the far future (like college, a new car, a new house and daughter's wedding reception). But what about personal savings for yourself to do whatever you'd like with it that will not affect your responsibility towards your family? Like a trip to Europe, or capital to start a small at-home business, or money to survive on when you quit that job you hate and look for a better one.

If you're like me, you might also find it hard to put away a little something each month and there isn't much in that personal savings account of yours. However, after doing the math, I wish I had had the foresight when I was younger to save at least $30 a month. That's just $1 a day, and if I started with my first job at 18, 14 years ago, I'd have at least $5,040* in my bank account right now, just a little bit less than how much I'd need to quit my job on impulse (you know, that feeling that I have almost everyday now). 

So when my next paycheck comes in, at least $30 is going into my can't-touch-until-I-really-really-desperately-need-it fund ($2 per day if I can afford it) because I don't want to be having this feeling again and regretting not saving at least a little money another 14 years later.**

*Add the extra five days per year plus about 3 more leap-year-days plus interest at the lowest rate, and that's at least $200 more!

** Of course, I also hope to make more money from my Etsy business and freelance writing and translating, but this is the no-extra-effort-needed formula, and it very well deserves an attempt!