Saving money can seem impossible in your twenties. There is always something that requires you to spend. A party, birthday gifts, christmas gifts, an unexpected bill or financial transaction. With all of life’s little surprises it can seem impossible to start saving. Here are a few tips and tricks I have picked up in my money saving journey:
- Open a savings account!
It’s a self explanatory step, but it will serve you well to open a separate account dedicated to savings. Having one place to put all your savings money into, makes it easier to keep it there. I have found it helps to waiver the temptation to spend. You might be tempted to splash the cash on materialistic items and food. These little transactions add up. I know I’ve been tempted to splash out on a new outfit, a cup of coffee or an expensive meal out with friends. Opening a separate savings account was one of the best things that I have done.
2. Set aside an amount to put into savings every month.
Dedicating £50.00 a week to your savings may seem a small amount in the beginning but is an effective way of adding to your savings without feeling as though you are giving up your social life to do it. It is different for everyone, depending on your earnings you might add less or more than £50.00. It is a challenge in the beginning but it really helps to save a substantial amount of money for the future. Give up purchasing that coffee in the morning, cutting down on buying clothes and cut out takeaways. You would be surprised how much money you save when you stop ordering out. I decided to dedicate at least 25% of my wage into my savings. It was almost physically painful seeing that money go into my savings account. After 6 months I felt a sense of pride and reassurance, knowing I had something to fall back on.
3. Consider finding an extra stream of income.
Whether you’re still studying or if you’re already working, finding an extra stream of income can really help you save a lot quicker. Part time or freelance work can provide the extra income you need to put directly into your savings account. It could be something simple like babysitting twice a month on a weekend. Writing other peoples CV’s, blog posts and more, has become that extra stream of income for me. One con to this method, is that you have to constantly work at finding this type of work. If you are freelancing like I am, this can be time consuming. If you find a stable part time job then this will eradicate the stress of having an unstable flow of income.
4. Be disciplined.
It is a commitment to start saving but it is totally worth it. It is hard to say no to things you enjoy. Saving doesn’t mean you have to cut off your entire social life, it just means you have to cut back. Swap the takeaways for cooking at home, you don’t need a new outfit every time you go out and you especially don’t need to buy lunch every day. Being smart with your money and discipling yourself will keep you in check. Be your own accountability partner. set a goal you want to achieve, pin it to your wall or your board, make it a visual reminder for everyday. That way you’re less likely to fall off track.
5. Set a budget.
Pick apart your spending. Be brutally honest with yourself. What percentage of your income are you spending on groceries, bills, socialising and rent/mortgage etc? Set a budget. Outline a budget for each category and stick to it! With the effects of the pandemic, paying in cash seems to be a thing of the past. This would have been a hack I suggested in the past. Instead, check your balance every other day and check your receipts. Keep an eye on your spending habits and make sure you’re sticking to the budget you’ve outlined for yourself.
I hope these hacks help you on your savings journey.
Good luck reader.
