Trick yourself into saving more

Certified Financial Planner, Dr. Mary Ann Campbell, a spokesperson for www.IndexCreditCards.com, has been presenting financial seminars for years. But what makes her programs unique is that she teaches through magic.

"Money can be a serious subject," she says. "I'm no David Copperfield, but I like to lighten it up with illusions, sound effects, cards, burning bills and other visuals to make it enjoyable and at the same time send a message" -- generally one that relates to saving more and spending less.

How? By setting goals, sticking to a strategy, and applying financial "tricks," like these:

Think Large; Then Small
Campbell has her students write down their dreams -- the top 10 things they want to do in this lifetime. "This could be anything from buying a house to traveling the world, to learning a language to retiring at age 50," says Campbell. Next step: setting goals to make these dreams a reality. Campbell asks that goals be S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timed.).