im sure some will have better advise, but in addition to my 401k i also put some money away in a few savings accounts. one is basically an escrow account, but the other is just saved money. i really didnt notice the missing money (it started off with $100 and has grown to $175/bi-weekly paycheck) but in the long run that can really add up. if you can do $150/check, assuming 1st/15th pay, thats $3600 a year. if you even put that money in cds assuming a modest 5% thatll get you almost $3800, and over three years thats over $11000 which is a nice downpayment on a condo. obviously the dollar amounts need to be adjusted to your income, but the principle remains.
-bfk