Simple Steps to Save Money

Saving money needs more than sacrifice and discipline! Saving money can be easier, especially wh

Saving money needs more than sacrifice and discipline! Saving money can be easier, especially when you have a suitable plan. But you must follow these great tricks and tips to save money and boost your saving account. Often, the difficult thing about saving money is getting started. In this segment, we're going to look at money saving tips and the 5p money saving challenge for short and long-term objectives.

Audit your expenses 

The first and foremost step to begin saving money is to calculate the amount you always spend. Ensure you track all your expenses like regular monthly bills, household items, and cash tips. Auditing your expenses is the easiest thing because you just need paper and pencil a simple spreadsheet or app or a free online spending tracker. Then, organize the numbers by categories like mortgage, gas, and groceries. Utilize your bank statements and credit cards to ensure you’ve included everything. People who often use a bank of America can access the Budgeting and Spending tool via their mobile banking app.

Consider saving in your budget 

Now, you know the amount you spend each month, so establish a budget. That budget should indicate all expenses relative to your income to organize your spending as well as downsizing overspending.  Ensure you include regular expenses but not each month like car maintenance. Plus, include a savings category and save an amount that you're willing to contribute either monthly, or weekly without much hustle. You can increase your savings rate by 15%-20% depending on your income. You can also look for money saving experts to guide you through each step.

Seek ways to downsize your spending

If you find it difficult to save the money you’d like, it’s time to downsize your expenses. Just identify unnecessary things like dining out and entertainment so that you can cut spending on them. Also, seek ways to save on your monthly expenses like a cell phone plan, or car insurance. Other ways of cutting daily expenses include:

·         Wait before you purchase

·         Examine the cost of cooking at home vs.  eating out

·         Search for free activities

·         Review recurring charges

 Set saving objective

One of the utmost steps for saving money is to set an objective.  So, think about what you might save either short term or long term. Once done, estimate the amount you'll need and the period might take to accumulate such an amount.

·         Short-term goals:  Vacation, down payment for a car, or emergency funds.

·         Long-term goals: Retirement, Kid’s education, down payment on a home or remodeling project.

The key trick is to set small and achievable short-term objectives to purchase things such as holiday gifts or a new smartphone. Achieving small goals and enjoying your returns gives you a psychological boost, saving even more.

Determine your financial priorities

Once you’ve managed your income and expenses, likely your objectives will have an incredible impact on your savings.  For instance, if you plan to buy a new car, start saving for it now.  Long-term goals like retirement benefits should always be included in your saving plan. And remember to stick with it whichever the case. Understanding your saving priorities gives you a clear idea of how to allocate your savings.

Choose suitable tools    

There are different kinds of investment and savings accounts for long- and short-term goals. Look at numerous options and consider interest rates, fees, risk, and balance minimums, so you choose one that suits your needs.

                     Short term goals

If you need a saving scheme that you'd access easily and quickly, then FDIC insured deposit is the right choice for you. Below are some FDIC insured deposits accounts:

·         A savings accounts

·         A certificate of deposit (CD). The account keeps the money for a set period at a rate higher than a savings account.

                    Long term goals

If you're saving money for a kid's college or retirement, consider:

·         Securities like mutual funds and stocks. Such investment items are found via investment accounts with a broker-dealer.

·         FDIC- insured individual retirement accounts 529 plans or ( IRAs).    

Make saving automatic 

Most banks provide automated transfers between savings and checking accounts. So, decide where, how much, and when to transfer money. You can also set a direct deposit of your paycheck to automatically goes into your savings account. Besides, use Mobile & Online Banking to set up automatic transfers between your accounts, preferably if you’re  Chase Bank, a client.

Monitor your savings grow  

Check and review your budget plan monthly. This will help you follow your savings plan, and identify and fix issues flawlessly. Learning to save money is the best way to identify ways to achieve your financial goals.