All good suggestions. Ten percent is a good benchmark. Probably the easiest way to save is to have your savings deducted from your paycheck automatically each month and put into a investment/retirement program through your employer. Look into what your employer offers--most offer some sort of matching program (although with the recession many aren't matching to the level they once were). Not only will you be saving (and having your employer kick in some money too), but you'll reap tax benefits--you're adjusted gross income (AGI) will be lower so you'll be paying less taxes come April.