There are so many ways to painlessly save it can almost make you dizzy. But why should we save, anyway?

First, emergencies can hit you at any time. You can't always know when your water heater might give up the ghost, or your dog will need medical attention. Savings can avoid the second reason to save-debt. If you have a bit of extra cash in the bank, you won't start accumulating debt when those emergencies occur. Third, what about the future? Some day, you may want to buy a house, take a great family vacation, or have a family. These are all great reasons to plan a stash.

Here are some ways you can save without feeling a pinch.

Stop grocery shopping at the five-and-dime. Make a grocery list and keep it posted on the fridge. Every person in the family can add to it. Then go to the grocery store-once a week-and buy just what's on the list. Take only enough cash to pay for the groceries to keep yourself from splurging.

Watch when you use the most electricity. Call your utility company and ask them when the off-hours are for electricity use in your area. That's when you pay the least, and that's when you can do things like the laundry, vacuum or clean the oven, or other electrically expensive tasks. Turn your heat down or air conditioner up during these periods. And when you do the laundry, only do full loads, and save even more.

Hold a ginormous garage sale. That old saying that you should throw out anything you don't use in one year can add up to huge bucks. Go through your home room-by-room, and think about more than clothes and toys (but add them too!). What about unused furniture, old equipment and electronics? Ask your neighbors to have their garage sales at the same time-more stuff means more people dropping by, and that can mean more money for you. Make up some lemonade and sell that to people who come by for a few extra bucks.

Check your property taxes. Be sure you're not being overcharged for your property taxes. You can challenge your assessment, and that can mean a big savings every year.

Save your raise. Did you get a raise this year? Has it disappeared into the money void? Whenever you get a raise or unexpected money, don't spend it. Put it away for a rainy day.

Buy in bulk. If you use ketchup by the gallon (or anything else for that matter), buy it that way. It can save you a fortune over buying individual bottles-but keep one of those to put your ketchup in.

Stop driving. Okay, that's not going to happen. But try to plan when and where you drive, rather than making multiple trips. Share pickups and drop-offs of your kids for their sports and other activities with parents who are doing the same thing. Consider ride sharing to work and save gas and wear-and-tear on your vehicle.

Savings can be found in some unexpected places. And it's important to save for emergencies, to avoid debt, and to be able to plan for your future.