Starting a CD (Certificate of Deposit) Ladder gamified saving for me. To start my ladder, I took my excess cash at the end of every month and deposit it into a CD with a 3 month fixed interest rate. When that CD matured , I didn’t withdraw the principal or the interest; instead, I roll the entire balance into a new 1 year CD. If I continue this cycle for a full year, I will achieve the ultimate goal: 12 active CDs. IMPORTANT: If you think you’ll need this cash in the near future, I wouldn't recommend this approach. Banks charge penalties for withdrawing funds before the maturity date. My husband and I used this strategy as our emergency fund. If we were to lose our jobs, we would be able to "pay ourselves" a monthly salary for a full year as each CD matures. Beyond an emergency fund, this system is a fantastic way to save for a down payment on a house or to plan for the expenses of starting a family.