For 22 years old, 2 years out of college, I feel like I'm in a pretty good place.

November was kind of a failure. Nevertheless, I feel like I’m starting to swim into a current instead of aimlessly treading water and it feels really good.

When Adam and I began dating two years ago, we were each already planning to leave Atlanta. I wanted to teach English abroad after I graduated, and he wanted to move back to New York City, where he’d lived for a handful of years in his early twenties. After a summer of dating, late in August, he asked me to change my plans.

• What it Means to Save: A Year in the Life

• Betting on Love (On-going Series)

• Dipping into Savings

• Adventures in Budgeting

• Here’s Some Advice on Saving Money

This month was one of those mentally draining, down-in-the-dumps months. It was full of impulse purchases and lack of any motivation whatsoever to try to cut back or be frugal.

Zach Cohn learns how to save money, in a few easy steps.

The motivational key to the program is the prizes that members can earn.

Last month, Adam and I embarked on a journey to save up $10,000 by the time our lease ends next May so we can finally fulfill our longstanding dream of moving away from Atlanta.

We all do money differently. How do you do money, Heidi N. Moore, Marketplace NYC bureau chief and Wall Street correspondent?