My grandmother was no financial wizard, so her advice about saving money was plain and simple: “Spend some and save some.”

Fortunately, I got the message.

According to a recent survey by online banking business HSBC Direct, people who are longtime savers have weathered the economic downturn virtually unscathed.

Nearly half (46 percent) said they had not cut back on spending, eating out or making large purchases. By contrast, 37 percent of periodic savers said they had to scale back on living expenses.

Most of the 1,000 people surveyed (85 percent) said they were willing to save more and spend less to get through the recession. But 76 percent said they believe most consumers will return to their old ways once the economic crisis has passed.

“It’s difficult to change,” said Kevin Martin, executive vice president of Personal Financial Services, HSBC Bank.

People who are regular savers generally start young, the survey found. Seventy-three percent said they learned from their parents.

But it’s never too late, Martin said.

“Our research shows that you can start saving money at any time,” he said.  “You just need to move to a savings mentality. You can’t look at saving as a luxury. You should see it as an obligation.”

One key distinction is how active savers view saving. For them, saving is an ongoing process, not simply a means to an end. They tend to save for the sake of saving, while periodic savers are more likely to save for a big purchase.

For example, 18 percent of regular savers versus 30 percent of other savers say they regularly put aside money for vacations.

Most active savers said they do it because it gives them an “added sense of security,” not out of fear, the survey found.

Nearly 60 percent of active savers with direct deposits put more than 10 percent of their income into retirement or other saving accounts. And when they get a windfall, such as a bonus or cash gift, 64 percent set aside more than 25 percent for savings.

Both groups ranked retirement as the No. 1 reason to save. But active savers felt more strongly about it, with 77 percent listing retirement first, verses 65 percent of other savers.

Some banks have made saving easier, requiring no minimum deposit to open an account. Others allow customers to set up automatic withdrawals from your checking account.

Automatic withdrawals are a great tool because, after several month, consumers tend to adjust to living on less of their income.

Starting a saving program doesn’t require much research. Simply find the highest interest-bearing account with terms you can live with. And most important, don’t forget about saving once the economy improves.

Remember: Spend some, but save the rest.

Vicki Lee Parker is a personal finance columnist in Raleigh, N.C. She can be reached at vickileeparker@gmail.com or (919) 877-5719.

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