How to Save Money: 18 Ways Help You Start

Many people struggle when it comes to saving money. A lot of people need to figure out how to save. Society tells us to spend and keep up with the Joneses. If you want to save money, you have to do the opposite. You can do different things to help you get your finances on track. In today’s post, I will share 18 awesome tips on how to save money.

How to Save Money

1.  Divvy Up Your Paychecks

Many companies have the option where you can sort your money before you receive it. All you have to do is log onto your payment dashboard (ex., ADP) or contact your human resources department and divide your paycheck between your checking and savings accounts. This way, the money will be in your savings account before you spend it.

2. Plan Ahead

A great way of purchasing only what you need, and nothing else can be made possible by making decisions in advance. A simple thing like making a list before shopping will do wonders in helping you manage your money. A shopping list reminds you of what you need, so you will be less likely to buy something you don’t require at the moment.

3. Lock Your Savings

If you are going to save effectively, especially for emergencies, you will need to create barriers to accessing the money. Here, you could use Certificates of Deposit, an incredible option for a savings account, as you pay a penalty if you access them early.

4. Divide Your Money Into Envelopes

Dividing your cash into envelopes can help you to save. You can have envelopes with different categories like ‘rent,’ ‘food,’ ‘fun,’ and ‘clothing.’ If one envelope goes empty, then it is time to stop spending in that category. Additionally, seeing money dwindle in front of your eyes will help you spend wisely. Dave Ramsey talks about the envelope system in The Total Money Makeover. The envelope system can change your spending habits.

5. Avoid Temptations

Next on the list of how to save money is to avoid temptations. Removing yourself completely from situations that tempt you to spend more money is usually a great money management strategy. Over one month, limit yourself to one or two shopping trips. When shopping, plan and consider what you are going for. Avoid looking at products not on your list, as you will be tempted to spend.

6. Don’t Go Grocery Shopping Hungry

If you go grocery shopping while hungry, you will purchase too much and ruin your budget. According to the Huffington Post, you should arm yourself with a grocery list to deter you from buying things you don’t need. I’ve made the mistake of going to the grocery store while I was hungry, and every time, I purchase something that is not on my list. A grocery list will have you spending less in the store.

7. Stop, Drop, and Wait

In money management, you need to give your next purchase some good thought before you decide to go for it. When swept up in bargain hunting and the heat of the moment, each deal seems too hot to pass up. You should have a waiting period to think about when it comes to many new purchases. Experts advise a timeline of 30 days, while others tell you to wait a day for every $100 in price.

8. Make Bulk Purchases

Many common items, such as trash bags, toothpaste, and toilet paper, add up fast. This is why purchasing them in bulk is always a great idea. Therefore, the next time toilet paper is on sale, stock up. You may be spending more upfront, but you will save in the long run.

9. Save Your Rewards

Implement a cashback rewards credit card for your expenses, pay the balance entirely each month, and occasionally transfer the rewards offered to your savings account. That’s something I will do a lot once I get out of my debt. 

10. Just Start Small

Habits are easy to make but pretty tough to break. Use this concept to your advantage by creating a savings habit now. To make it easy for you, start small. For example, you could start by putting your change in a jar daily. This tiny habit will eventually become part of your routine. In the long run, you can raise your savings goal and start saving money every month.

11. Divert It

When you cancel a subscription or disconnect service for any reason, divert that monthly payment into your savings account. That money can be saved and used for other things.

12. Think of Prices in Working Hours

Say, a new set of golf clubs costs around $300. That’s not bad. After all, there are numerous expensive things you could purchase. But, before spending $300, frame this differently: How many working hours would it take you to make $300? If you earn $10/hour, it will take you 30 hours of work – not to mention taxes and other deductions that reduce the size of your paycheck. Now, are you ready to pay for 30 hours of work for those clubs? Sometimes, giving purchases a new thought is what your brain needs to help you manage your money.

13. Bank Your Unexpected Good Fortunes

The following way in this post on how to save money every month is one that I love. If extra cash lands in your lap, such as refunds, bonuses, rebates, or any windfall, spend a small percentage and save the rest in an emergency fund. If you have credit card debt, you can pay some of that off.

14. Turn “No” Into a “Yes”

Another trick you can use in money management is to view every “no” you say as a “yes.” For example, if your friends ask for lunch you cannot afford, don’t view turning her down as saying “no.” Instead, think of it as saying “yes” to new opportunities, such as going on a dream vacation, investing in your retirement, or even paying off your student loans.

15. Make it a Norm

Some individuals save every $5 or $10 bill that wanders into their wallets. Others will stuff each $1 they get into a change jar after every day. Every month, add this extra cash to your savings account.

16. Find a Partner

When you want to work out more, it is suggested that you find someone who will ensure you do it daily. The same kind of reasoning applies to finances. Accountability partners work. Find someone that wants to save money every month as you do. This can be your friend or family member. Agree that you will only make necessary purchases and text each other if you make that poor decision. The fact that you have to ‘report’ your bad actions is a great trick to help you manage money.

17. Picture Your Goals

If you are saving for a house, a dream car, or a vacation, cut out inspiring images from magazines and hang them on your wall. Make that dream car your computer’s wallpaper, or create a Vision Board. This is a great technique to help with saving. Huge goals can be challenging, and visualizing them motivates you.

18. Reward Yourself

The final way to save money every month isn’t hard at all. Every time you make a reasonable effort to save, offer yourself a small non-financial reward. This will provide you with more incentive to save more. You could relax with a bubble bath, watch a movie, or enjoy a lovely lie-in on Saturday morning.

Bonus

Have you thought about growing your food? If not, I want to let you know it can be done. This article in the Greenery Guide shows you how to grow vegetables at home to save money.

If you are a homeowner, you should check out this article that has tons of tips for home budgeting.

As the tips above show, saving money does not have to be a difficult thing to do. With money management techniques, you can set more money aside and reach your savings goals faster than you imagined.