How to Find More Money to Save Saving money can be a challenge. The secret is two-fold: Uncover new sources of "found money" and then make that cash, as well as whatever you’re already saving, work harder for you. Here’s how to do it. You will need: • A budget • A fixed savings amount • Reduced expenses • And a pre-tax savings plan • Optional: Automatic pay deductions and a retirement plan with matching employer

contributions Step 1 – Prepare a Budget Write down a list of your monthly expenses -- rent or mortgage, car payments, utilities, groceries, and other costs -- and compare that to your monthly take-home pay. If you’re spending more than you’re earning, figure out where you can make cuts. Step 2 – Make Saving a Fixed Expense Determine how much you can direct into savings each month and make that a fixed expense -- one that must get paid every month, no matter what, just like any other non-negotiable expense. Tip: To make saving easier, set up an automatic deduction from your paycheck into a savings or retirement account. Step 3 – Evaluate Your Expenses Take a close look at your expenses, thinking creatively about which ones you can reduce or even remove. Re-direct that found money into savings. Step 4 – Save Pre-Tax Dollars Check if your employer offers a plan that lets you save pre-tax money. Contributing pre-tax dollars allows you to make larger contributions because you don’t have to pay the taxes on money that you save right now. Tip: If your employer matches your retirement plan contributions, take advantage of it! It’s a risk-free way to increase, or even double, your contributions. Step 5 – Start Early Start saving early, even if you can only make small contributions in the beginning. A person who begins saving for retirement at age 25 has to save less money than someone who starts at age 45, because they’ll not only be earning interest on the money they save, but interest on that interest! The power of compounded interest can dramatically accelerate your savings growth over time, and help secure your financial future.

Did you know? $18 per week saved and invested for 25 years in a tax-deferred account, like an IRA, could grow to nearly $50,000.* (TIAA-CREF) * Figure based on 6% annual interest rate, compounded weekly, with contributions made at the beginning of the month. This rate of return is hypothetical and is not intended to reflect the performance of any specific investment product. It does not reflect possible expenses and cannot be used to project or predict investment results. So get started now. And become your future you. With us. _____________________________________________________________________________ TIAA-CREF products may be subject to market and other risk factors. See the applicable product literature, or visit www.tiaa-cref.org for details. Withdrawals of earnings from retirement plans are subject to ordinary income tax and a Federal 10% penalty may apply prior to age 59½. Investment products are not FDIC insured, are not bank deposits or bank guaranteed, and may lose value. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC and Teachers Personal Investors Services, Inc., members FINRA, distribute securities products. ©2010 Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund, New York, NY 10017 C49386