Suzanne Mayo has been appointed the National Coordinator for Black America Saves. Over the course of her tenure, Ms. Mayo plans to re-energize the Black America Saves campaign and transform the face of saving for African-Americans.

To start saving, Ms. Mayo is please to provide the following 14 suggestions for saving:

1. Reward yourself with little things.
2. Expect GREAT things.
3. Have a place in your home to pay bills.
4. Set financial goals.
5. Change the way you think about budgets.
6. Set goals for budgeting that are realistic:  Be specific, make them measurable, and make them reasonable.
7. Have five financial plans: a 12 month plan, a 6 month plan, a 3 month plan, a long term plan, and a short term plan.
8. Always PAY YOURSELF FIRST!
9. Start and always deposit into an Emergency Spending Account
10. Start saving today, no matter how small the amount.  Be consistent in saving for the future.  THE FUTURE IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!
11. Don’t pay down your debt when you get extra cash. Pay ½ and save the other.  In the long run, you will win by always having something in YOUR savings account.
12. When you get a windfall of cash, ALWAYS Pay Yourself First!
13. Always ask questions about your savings accounts from financial institutions.  Remember, it is your money and you deserve to know how your money is being spent and invested.
14. The more you invest, the more you earn.  It seems crazy, but it works.  Remember, Uncle Sam is always ready to keep your money, but it is better if you keep and invest it in YOU.