Nearly 70 per cent of Canadians either have an RRSP or plan to start one this year, according to a recent Investors Group poll (Investors Group RRSP Intentions Poll, December 2010).

Meanwhile, the majority of the approximately three-in-10 who do not have an RRSP say they don’t have enough money left after paying their bills to consider investing. Gas, groceries, home expenses, the kids, taxes, a workday coffee or lunch – it all adds up, making it difficult to set aside money for investing.

“Paying your bills and your debts is very important, but your mantra should be ‘pay myself first,’” says Murray Pituley, director, Tax and Estate Planning at Investors Group. “Contributing to your investments within an RRSP and other forms of saving and investing is the best way to financial and retirement comfort.”

Murray shares three secrets to regularly fund your investments using money you already have.

• Consolidate debt and use the “found” money from your lower monthly loan and debt payments to fund your investments.

• Be tax smart and invest the extra money each pay period.

• Cut back on your personal indulgences – like that expensive designer coffee.

Once you have uncovered those “hidden” investment dollars, Murray suggests putting them to work immediately by setting up a Pre-Authorized Contribution plan (PAC) that makes automatic withdrawals from your bank account and transfers them to an investment account.