If you need a new laptop, or should really start saving for your wedding or anything else, try SmartyPig. It's a legit online savings account, but it's focused on motivating you to save for your big purchase or event.

SmartyPig's accounts are FDIC-insured and offer a fairly competitive 1.75 percent APY (at the moment), but they're set up a bit differently than your standard account. You make an initial deposit of at least $25, then choose which accounts to draw from on a regular basis. You can then share your savings goals through Facebook, Twitter, or a group email, and those people who have long, long since told you to get a new car can contribute. In other words, it might just stave off nice but useless birthday gifts in favor of real progress.

When it comes time to draw out your money, SmartyPig also offers cash bonuses if you go through Amazon, Travelocity, or its other purchase partners. If nothing else, SmartyPig isn't in the same online bucket as your banking, so it's a semi-hidden space to stash away money a little at a time.