One easy way to control spending on discretionary, personal items is to give yourself an allowance, just like a 12-year-old, in cash. Then, when it's gone, it's gone.

The following guidelines will help make this principle effective for controlling spending.

1. Define what the money is for and what it does and doesn't cover.

For instance, you may decide that your allowance covers lunch but not dinner. Or, snacks at the movies but not the theater tickets. Presumably, you'll use a debit card or credit card (or write a check - does anyone still do that?) for expenses not covered by your allowance. You have to be honest with yourself and your spouse! You don't want to have a fight mid-month when the cash runs out due to your spending decisions.

2. Define uses of cash narrowly.

If you decide to use cash for a variety of purposes, you'll have a difficult time tracking where your money goes. Credit cards seem to offer the best electronic tracking of purchases and are typically reported in real time. If you try to keep track of your cash, you'll find your wallet fills up with receipts in a big hurry.

3. Define the time period that the cash covers.

Depending on the convenience of getting to the ATM (and whether you have to pay a fee) you'll want to decide how often you'll withdraw cash for your allowance. Your rule should be easy to use, for instance, once each month on the same day, or twice monthly on the 1st and 16th, or every Monday morning. Design a rule that will work for you.

4. Strictly avoid using cash for things it was not intended.

If you've decided your allowance money doesn't cover dinners with your spouse, use your card to pay for dinner. If something comes up where you are forced to use some of your precious cash for something outside the plan, keep the receipt and pull out some extra money for that purpose.

5. Be sure to inventory your cash periodically.

If you are on a monthly plan, you'd hate to have your allowance all gone before the end of the month. Check to see what's left!

6. When you run out, stop spending.

If that means taking a sack lunch to work for a few days at the end of a month, so be it. Allow yourself to suffer the natural consequences of overspending.

7. Feel free to treat yourself with the surplus at the end of the month.

If you do a good job and have money left over, reward your discipline with a treat, whether that is an ice cream cone or a new top at the Gap, enjoy your just reward.

Finding ways to limit spending and to develop self-discipline will empower you to save more and build a future for yourself that is safe and secure.