Money hazards: How to relieve end-of-the-month financial stress

You know that nagging feeling of running short of money at the end of the month? 

The rent or mortgage payment is about to be due. You need to go to the grocery store. You've got a credit card bill that's about to be late. 

It's the end-of-the-month cash crunch.

You can fix this by taking action with your very next paycheck. 

When you get your next check, immediately take 10% off the top and put it away. Deposit it into a savings account tied to your primary checking account or put the cash in an envelope. Just find a way to get that money out of your hands and somewhere safe.

It doesn't have to be 10%. It could be 5% — or maybe just 100 bucks. Give yourself a cash cushion right from the start of the month.

Developing a habit of saving money right off the bat, the instant you're paid, will suck the stress right out of your life.

The next step: Don't touch that money unless you absolutely have to. Really have to. 

Let it sit somewhere earning interest, even if it's just a little bit at the start. In a couple of months, you'll start seeing it bloom into a nice little cash cushion. Don't think of ways to spend it; in fact, forget about it if you can. Let it grow.

The end-of-the-month financial stress will melt away. Because you'll know that if you need it, really need it, it will be there. 

But you'll let it sit there and grow. 

Because it feels so good.