You are not alone if you have little to no money in your savings account. Experts frequently recommend that you have an emergency fund that covers three to six months of living expenses, but many Americans do not. In fact, according to a recent Bankrate survey of 1,000 people, 23% of respondents had no savings at all. But do not panic. It may be difficult to save money quickly, but it is not impossible. Here are 10 money-saving tips to get you started.
How to save money?
1. Record your expenses
To begin saving money, you must first determine how much you spend. Keep track of all your expenses, including coffee, groceries, and cash tips.
Once you have gathered your information, sort it into categories like food, housing, and transportation, and add up the totals. Check your credit card and bank statements to make sure you do not forget anything.
Tip: To get started, look for a free-spending tracker. You had better use a digital program or app to automate some of this work. Clients of Bank of America can use the Spending & Budgeting tool in the mobile app or online, which automatically categorizes transactions for easier budgeting.
2. Set savings goals
Setting a goal is one of the most effective money saving tips. Begin by considering your savings goals – perhaps you are planning a vacation, getting married, or saving for retirement. Then calculate how much money you’ll require and how long you will need to save it.
Here are some short- and long-term goals to consider:
Short-term (1–3 years)
- Emergency fund
- Vacation
- Down payment for a car
Long-term (4+ years)
- Down payment on a home
- Your child’s education
- Retirement
Consider saving money for retirement or your child’s education by using an investment account such as an IRA or 529 plan. While investments are risky and can result in a loss of money, they also provide the opportunity for growth when the market grows.
Tip: Set a small short-term goal for something fun and exciting, such as a new smartphone or holiday gifts. Reaching small goals – and then enjoying the fun reward you have saved for – can provide a psychological boost for saving and reinforce the habit.
3. Pay your bills on time
Some businesses offer customers an early payment discount, which allows you to save money simply by paying your bill on time. Others can have a late payment fee, which means you will be charged more if you pay your bill late.
Paying your bills on time can save you money. Here are some ways we recommend:
- Add your payments to a calendar
- Devise a system for manual payments
- Make a list of every bill
- Find out when your payments are due
- Decide how much you want to pay
- Set up automated payments whenever possible
- Sign up for reminders
4. Avoid impulse spending
You’ve seen this cool jacket or high-tech device and know you have to have it. Maybe it’s the newest and greatest toy your children have been begging you for. It’s easy to make a purchase without giving it much thought, but it’s always a good idea to take a little extra time.
One of the first steps to good money management is to avoid impulse purchases. It’s a good idea to hold off on spending for 30 days. After a month, your desire to splurge may have subsided, and you will have saved money simply by waiting.
Alternatively, why not put the item’s cost into a savings account? As your savings grow, you will realize how much money you can actually spend on impulse purchases.
5. Make saving automatic
Almost every bank allows you to set up automatic transfers between your checking and savings accounts. You can choose when, where, and how much to transfer money or even split your direct deposit so that a portion of your paycheck goes directly into the savings account.
Tip: Splitting your direct deposit and setting up automated transfers are easy ways to save money because you don’t have to think about the temptation to spend the money. Bank of America customers can easily set up automatic transfers between accounts using Mobile & Online Banking.
6. Cancel the insurance you don’t need
Insurance can appear to be a money-sucker because you will not need it very often. Having adequate homeowner or renters insurance, car insurance, and medical insurance is one of the most effective ways to keep an emergency from destroying your finances.
However, some insurance policies are a waste of money. For example, you may not want to pay for an accident or critical illness insurance because the situations for which they will cover you are so limited. If you are single and have no dependents, even life insurance may not be worth the money.
If you want to get discounts on insurance, bundling your coverage is a good idea. For instance, you could save money by getting your car and home insurance from the same company.
Auto and Home Insurance Bundle
7. Make healthy choices to help you save
Quitting smoking, avoiding takeout, or cutting down on fast food may be beneficial to both you and your savings goal. According to Nicorette, the average price of a pack of cigarettes in the USA is $6.28. If you smoke a pack per day, you can save about $188 per month or $2,256 a year on smoking costs when you quit.
Let’s take another look. An average American spends about $1,200 per year on fast food. You can save about $12.50 per meal and $100 per month if you stop eating fast food. Seeing your savings grow in this manner can also motivate you to stick to your health goals. It’s a win-win situation and useful money saving tips for you.
8. Open a savings account
When considering the advantages of an online savings account, keep interest in mind. When you deposit an amount of money, a bank will pay you an interest rate (in percentages). This interest rate can change over time.
One of the most significant benefits of an online savings account is the ability to access it whenever you need it. You can access your account at any time and from any location by going online or using your mobile device. This gives you the flexibility of depositing money and viewing your balance and account activity while on the go.
9. Find cheap ways to treat yourself
Any successful savings plan includes some flexibility so you can treat yourself occasionally. Rather than drinking at an expensive bustling bar, buy a good but inexpensive bottle of wine to enjoy at home. Have a DIY spa day with simple ingredients you most likely already have on hand. If you have been stuck at home for too long due to Covid-19, you can change the look of your home without spending a penny.
10. Time your purchases like a pro
You may not be able to time a vet bill or car repair, but knowing when to get the best deals on discretionary purchases can save you a lot of money. Do you need a television? You should wait until January when the last year’s models are discounted in order to make room for the new ones. Are you looking for new furniture? Around Independence Day, retailers frequently clear out their stock, making July a great time to get a good deal on furniture.
Bottom Line
We all know that saving money requires a lot of sacrifices, willpower, and focus. But once you get the hang of it, it becomes much easier – and you’ll be glad you started saving when you did.
Take time to read money management blogs as well as money saving tips. If you find that you are not saving as frequently as you’d like, take a deep breath, figure out what’s not working for you, and start again.