Easy Ways to Save Money

If your savings account is not as bountiful as you want it to be, you’re not alone. In 2017, 57% of Americans reported having less than $1,000 in savings, with 39% of those people having nothing at all.⁷

The importance of saving is straightforward: The stress of unexpected expenses — housing issues, lost jobs, medical emergencies, etc. — can be alleviated with the right savings plan in place. Unfortunately, many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck and struggles to find the room for savings. That’s why these tips and tricks can be really helpful! Here are easy ways you can start saving money today to help you when you need it most.

Stop Using Cards, Only Use Cash

While it’s become commonplace to use cards for payment, it can be start using cash. There are a few benefits to using paper money over your debit or credit card. For starters, the ease of cards (and access to credit) makes it easy to overspend. Using cash eliminates the option of spending the money you don’t have. Also, studies have shown that we tend to value items more when we pay with cash because we can physically see our money leaving our possession, which results in more cautious spending and spending less overall.

Big Savings Tip: Spend only your paper money, save all your coins in a jar. Cash them in every few months and add the money to your savings account.

Assign “No Spend” Rules to Specific Bill Denominations

Once you’ve gotten used to the cash-only lifestyle, kick up your savings by choosing a bill (like a $1 or a $5) that you will always save when you get it. For example, let’s say your “no spend” bill is a $5 bill. You go to buy a pack of gum with a $20 bill. The cashier gives you back your change as a $10, a $5, three $1s and some change. You’ll keep the $13 for yourself and the $5 bill will go in your savings jar (the change will also be saved if you’re sticking with our big savings tip from above). If that’s too aggressive, do the same with singles.

Choose Your Savings Challenge

While there are several tried-and-true savings methods out there, not many of them are fun. Why not turn it into a game? Here are a couple challenges that will keep you motivated and excited about saving.

• 52-Week Challenge
• Penny Challenge
• Bi-Weekly Challenge (Great if you get paid every other week!)
• Flexible Weekly Challenge
• Day of the Week Challenge
• 12-Month Challenge
• $1,000 in 3 Months Challenge

REFERENCES

¹Bell, G. (January 12, 2017). Overspending in America – The sad truth. Retrieved February 5, 2018, from https://www.debtroundup.com/overspending-in-america-the-sad-truth/

²Pressman, A. (September 23, 2016). Here’s how high the average cable TV bill was this year. Retrieved February 5, 2018, from http://fortune.com/2016/09/23/average-cable-tv-bill/

³Martin, E. (September 27, 2017). 90% of Americans don’t like to cook-and it’s costing them thousands each year. Retrieved February 5, 2018, from https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/27/how-much-americans-waste-on-dining-out.html

⁴USDA. (November 2017). Official USDA food plans: Cost of food at home at four levels, U.S. Average. Retrieved February 5, 2018, from https://www.cnpp.usda.gov/sites/default/files/CostofFoodNov2017.pdf

⁵Oursler, A. (April 27, 2016). Is your gym membership a good investment? Retrieved February 5, 2018, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2016/04/27/your-gym-membership-good-investment/82758866/

⁶AAA. (February 2013). Your driving costs. Retrieved February 5, 2018, from http://www.muni.org/Departments/transit/ShareARide/Documents/YourDrivingCosts2013.pdf

⁷Elkins, K. (September 13, 2017). Here’s how much money Americans have in their savings accounts. Retrieved February 5, 2018, from https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/13/how-much-americans-at-have-in-their-savings-accounts.html

⁴USDA. (November 2017). Official USDA food plans: Cost of food