For years, I didn’t have credit cards because I had majorly screwed up my credit and had gotten in over my head. Now, I’m financially responsible and use credit cards for everyday purchases – and pay them off as I go.

I had an epiphany yesterday: to truly save what you need for the future, you need to visualize it clearly and realistically. Now maybe this had something to do with my 40th birthday, or maybe it had something to do with the weather, or perhaps a Forbes article I was reading; either way, all of a sudden had this clear vision of what I want my life to be like in 10 years from now and a rough sketch of how I was going to get there.

I still bank with the “big box banks.” I know there are better options out there and I do actually use some of them. To be honest, my bank accounts are like my post-it notes on my desk – all over the place; online, with a credit union, and with a “big box bank.”

My search continues for a place to settle down permanently and purchase a home. Due to jobs, traffic, and climate, my goal is to stay in California. California is a large state and thankfully much of it has awesome weather.

A few months ago, I was asked to test a new website that encourages saving called SaveUp. Similar to a rewards program for spending money, SaveUp rewards their members for saving money. I created a profile, added a bank and credit card account, then earned points that I used to play for prizes.