I find that I'm more easily motivated by 'challenges' or games that I set for myself daily. I have long-term goals of course, but I find it hard to think about those when I'm faced with a decision on either to spend money or not to (Do I just eat fast food for $10, or do I wait an hour and eat something healthier for $2?).
One thing I try to do every day is to eat breakfast and lunch for "free". I do this by eating an inexpensive but healthy breakfast and same for lunch, then getting some type of income during my lunch break while I eat at my desk. Usually I do online paid surveys and make $3-$5 doing that while I eat. For example, today I had 1 full egg with 3 egg whites mixed with a little bit of brown rice and hot sauce, a little olive oil and some salt/pepper. I LOVE this for breakfast and it costs under $1.50 since I buy everything in bulk. Lunch was brown rice/beans with brocolli and some canned chicken mixed in. I buy these incredients in bulk and make it in huge batches so each lunch costs me about $1.50 at most. So today I had to make $3 or more during my lunch break using surveys. I ended up making $4.
Another thing I do is to NEVER eat fast food. This used to be a problem with me where I'd eat mcdonalds on my way in to work and again most of the time at lunch - that was $300 per month on shitty food! Now those meals are "free" and I look and feel much better.
Lastly, I try to get over a certain MPG on my way to work every day. It does take more focus and energy to do this, but it adds a disipline in my life and saves me money, plus it's fun to try to beat yesterday's number. I drive a 2001 Honda Insight hybrid and if I'm lazy driving to work I'll get 50mpg, but if I try hard I'll get 65. Next step is riding the bike!
What are some games you play, or daily challenges you set for yourself?