When your income fluctuates or you live paycheck to paycheck, saving money can be challenging. The truth is, when it comes to savings, every little bit counts, and even small amounts add up. With these five tips, you may be able to save a little at a time without sacrificing cash flow.
- Set-up automatic transfers. Set up automatic transfers from your checking account to a savings account. Even if you start out with just $5 a month, small amounts can add up over time. If you don’t have a savings account, fear not! Many banks let you open an account online with no minimum balance required. With automatic transfers in place, you’ll be saving without even thinking about it.
- Keep the change. Think of this one as the virtual change jar. Many banks offer the ability to round up purchases and put the difference into a savings account. So, if you spend $32.50 at the grocery store, it will automatically round up to $33 and put the 50 cents into your savings. Again, small transactions can add up, and by rounding up less than a dollar each time, you can start to save without feeling the pinch in your day-to-day cash flow.
- Save cash back rewards. If your bank or credit card provider offers perks such as cash back on purchases, consider taking that money and putting it into a savings account instead of spending it. Since cash back is not part of your usual income, it can feel easier to put it toward savings.
- Hold on to unexpected money. If you receive a tax refund or a large tip from a customer, that’s considered “windfall” or unexpected money. It can be tempting to spend windfall money, but putting these funds aside is a great way to boost your savings without pulling from your normal income stream.
- Set (and stick to) a monthly budget. This can be a challenging one, especially for independent workers with income that changes month to month. But it’s important to understand how much you have coming in to cover necessities like rent or a mortgage, utilities, and food (and fun stuff too) to make sure you don’t overspend. You can track your expenses using an expense tracking app, a spreadsheet, or pen and paper. Once you’ve outlined your regular expenses, you can determine exactly how much can go to savings each month. If things are tight, remember you can always save your windfall or unexpected money.
Start small and end big
Building a savings account is possible even when you don’t have a steady income. By starting small, and in ways that don’t break the bank or unfairly restrict access to your funds, you can grow a savings account that provides you peace of mind and more financial security over time.
