For some people, to say times are tight financially is an understatement. A recent Bankrate survey revealed that three out of five Americans are only one medical emergency or unexpected car repair away from emptying their savings, if they have any savings in the first place.

Part of the reason is that many of us don't take the time to properly budget -- especially not the slow, inconvenient old-school way, via pen and paper. And we all know how well tracking cash in our heads works out. It generally doesn't.  

The good news: It's never too late to master your finances and start saving. That's where today's web and mobile financial apps come in handy, making it easier and faster to scrimp and save than ever before, sometimes automatically.

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It's always both fun and a challenge at family gatherings when my young nieces and nephews are present. And as usual one or the other will challenge something they have either read or heard me say. This time it was about setting goals, intentions, resolutions or anything similar.

 My niece reminded me that she has spent the last five years setting a goal to lose 25 pounds and so far she hasn't been successful. She told us that she did manage to lose 6 pounds last year when she was sick with the flu and couldn't eat. But those six pounds returned and brought a couple more pounds along with it.

 A nephew backed her up with his tale of his goal to save $5000 last year and every time he has a few extra dollars some pressing situation would come up that needed the money and depleted his efforts.

Another said that maybe there is a magic trick to reaching intentions and desires.

Of course there are no magic tricks and how you approach your goals should fit both your personality and your lifestyle.

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