Finally I have done so. I socked away $4000 through 2007. I also decided to look at dividend stocks as you mentioned in your post. Everything else seemed more complicated and required more to startup. So I opened a discount brokerage account with $500.

I was reading all kinds of money/finance guru books and took to Motley Fool's books. So I joined Motley Fools subscription dividend investment newsletter. I made sure to look for my own stock picks, but it was reassuring to compare with their approach and advice. I feel pretty good about where my savings are sitting now and hope to do this again. I hope to build up some more cash and wait for the next market crash, and invest it again.

Saving is tough for me, because I'm a typical guy and like gadgets and toys. But watching dividend income grow quarter after quarter and year after year, really helps me stick to my savings goals.

I keep telling myself –

Nothing changes, if nothing changes.

and

Hold onto your wealth. Stop giving it to Amazon, REI, Best Buy, etc.

Best of luck with your goals,

Great job on your blog,

~Rob

Not many people seem to realize that every time Ben Bernanke prints money he is diluting the value of everyone else's savings. There is no incentive to save if this continues.

The only other thing I can think of which will give you a return on your money is renting out property. However, if the property prices drop you will be holding a whole heap of negative equity :