Saving money sometimes feels like an exclusive skill that only some people are born with. You know, like the guy who tracks every cent and magically has a fat savings account while still living his best life. For the rest of us, saving often feels like an uphill battle. If you've tried but ended up blowing through your savings, leaving your account emptier than your fridge at the end of the month, I get it. I've been there too!
The good news? You can become a saver, even if it’s never come naturally. It doesn’t mean giving up everything you love. Instead, it’s about finding small, practical ways to save that actually work for you. Once you figure out a system that fits your style, savings can start building up almost without effort.
Here’s how to make saving more of a habit than a headache.
Figure Out What You’re Saving For
Your savings need a purpose. Without it, it’s way too easy to say, “I’ll start saving tomorrow” (spoiler alert: you won’t). When I first started seriously thinking about saving money, I realized I didn’t need to save just because I should. What worked for me was figuring out what I actually cared about.
For me, it was traveling. I’m talking about wanting to pack my bags at a moment’s notice for an impromptu weekend trip or finally taking that bucket-list vacation without stressing about money. Your “why” might be different. Maybe it’s wanting an emergency fund so unexpected expenses don’t derail your life. Or buying your first home. Whatever excites you, that’s your motivation.
Quick tip: Grab a sticky note, write down your top why for saving, and stick it somewhere you’ll see it daily. Your bathroom mirror or even your phone screen works great as a reminder of the bigger picture.
Know Your “Why” Goals
- Dream trips or special experiences
- Building financial security (hello, emergency fund!)
- Quitting a job you hate
- Big purchases (home, new car, you name it)
Automate Your Savings Like a Financial Cheat Code
When I tell you automating my savings changed everything, I mean it. I used to tell myself I’d save whatever was left over at the end of the month, but guess what? There was never anything left over. Life just kept eating my money.
Here’s the trick no one told me until later: set it and forget it. With automatic transfers, savings don’t rely on willpower. Your bank literally does it for you. Have a portion of your paycheck go straight into a savings account before you even see it hit your checking account. It’s like paying yourself first.
If you’re worried about committing too much at first, start small. Even automatically transferring $20 from each paycheck adds up faster than you’d think.
Steps to Automate:
- Set up an auto-transfer for every payday.
- Start with a manageable amount (even $10–$20 works).
- Watch your savings grow without lifting a finger.
Get an Accountability Buddy (Because Saving Solo is Hard)
Sometimes the hardest thing about saving is staying on track. That’s where having a money-savvy friend or partner can totally change the game. Think about someone in your circle who’s already good with their money and ask if they want to be your accountability buddy.
The idea? Check in with each other on your financial goals. Whether it’s a quick text or a monthly coffee meet-up (budget-friendly, of course), reporting progress to another person keeps you motivated. Plus, it’s nice to bounce around ideas or get someone to call you out when an impulse buy is on the horizon.
Ways to Make It Work
- Have monthly money “check-ins” with your buddy.
- Share your successes and challenges.
- Set mini competitions (who can save the most in a month?).
Create Distance Between Your Spending and Saving
I learned this the hard way. Having my savings sitting in the same account as my spending money was way too tempting. I’d tell myself, “Oh, I’ll put it back next month.” (Spoiler alert again—not happening.)
The fix? Move your savings somewhere harder to touch. A high-yield savings account at a bank that’s not the same one as your checking is perfect for this. Personally, I can’t stress enough how this one change helped me protect my savings from my occasional I deserve this mindset.
Benefits of a Separate Account
- Makes your savings less accessible.
- Potentially earns more interest in a high-yield account.
- Takes the sting out of online impulse spending.
Invest in Spending Smarter
Okay, hear me out. Sometimes saving money isn’t about cutting back; it’s about spending better. I used to drop $12 a day on coffee and lunch at work. Once I invested in a good travel mug and started meal-prepping, I was saving nearly $200 a month.
Strategic purchases save you money over time. Whether it’s upgrading to more energy-efficient appliances or investing in higher-quality items that last longer, these changes add up.
Smart Investments to Consider
- Durable wardrobe basics.
- Energy-efficient home upgrades.
- Bulk purchases for frequently used items (hello, Costco).
Make Saving Fun (Yes, Really)
If savings feels like a chore, you’re less likely to stick with it. I’ll be honest—I learned this one later in life, but building a reward system for myself turned saving from an obligation into something almost exciting.
Set small milestones and treat yourself when you hit them. Saved your first $500? Celebrate with a fancy coffee. Hit $1,000 in savings? Maybe pick something you’ve been eyeing for months. Just keep it proportional so your reward doesn’t undo all your progress!
Fun Motivation Ideas
- Treat yourself with small, meaningful rewards.
- Make it a challenge (gamify your savings!).
- Celebrate the milestones, big or small.
Use Apps That Make Saving Automatic
I could write an ode to savings apps because they’ve made my life so much better. Apps like Acorns and Qapital turn saving into a no-brainer. For instance, Acorns rounds up my transactions and saves the spare change. You’d be shocked to see those “round-ups” stack up over time.
Apps like YNAB (You Need a Budget) are next-level if you want to get serious about budgeting and saving. They shift your mindset to treat every dollar intentionally.
App Suggestions That Work
- Acorns for spare-change investing.
- Qapital for setting rules-based savings.
- YNAB for advanced money tracking.
Start Small (But Start Now)
Feel overwhelmed about saving? No judgment—we’ve all felt that way. But the trick is to just start, even if it’s small. Back when I was barely scraping by, I started saving just $10 a week. It didn’t feel like much, but after a couple of months, I already had more saved than I thought possible.
Once I saw the progress, I upped that amount little by little. The momentum builds over time, and before you know it, saving feels natural.
Baby Steps for Big Results
- Begin with just $5 or $10 a week.
- Watch your progress snowball as you stick with it.
- Celebrate that you’ve started somewhere!
My Five Cents!
Here’s your quick recap of actionable steps to start building savings today. Small moves = big wins down the road.
- Set Your Why – Find a savings goal that personally fires you up and keep it visible.
- Start Small – Even a few bucks a week can snowball into big savings over time.
- Automate It – Out of sight, out of mind, and into your savings it goes.
- Use Tech Tools – Try an app to take the effort out of saving and track every penny.
- Celebrate (Responsibly) – Reward yourself when you hit milestones to stay motivated.
Make Saving Second Nature (And Fun!)
Saving money doesn’t have to feel like a struggle or a sacrifice. It’s all about finding simple habits that work for you and sticking with them. Trust me, once you see your savings grow—even if it’s just a little at first—it’s one of the most empowering feelings. You’ve got what it takes, so start small, stay consistent, and celebrate your progress along the way. You’re building a brighter financial future, one savvy step at a time—I’m cheering you on!
