So Many Ways To Save!
If you are anything like me, you have trouble saving money! Just
like most folks I guess. After a lifetime of trying I have
finally figured out how I can save some money and not even
notice it's missing and with almost no effort at all. That's the
best part. Here are some ways that might work for you as well:
1. Limited access to your funds Open a high interest
yielding online savings account, one that is linked to your
account but not part of the same bank. Why? Some online banking
services (i.e. ING DIRECT) offer you a bonus for signing up at
times it's $25 and sometimes it' $50 just depends. That's the
start of your savings. Referral bonuses get you more money.
Always, a good thing. When your bank account holds your checking
and savings it's very easy to transfer money from one account to
the other. Sometimes too easy. If we impulse buy and think "Oh,
I'll just transfer the money from the savings over - it's an
immediate transfer" Stop right there. We've just taken a step in
the wrong direction. Easy access doesn't help you save. So, if
your savings account requires a few days to transfer over to and
back and may even keep a hold on the funds for a few days you
will be less likely to impulse shop thus eliminating your need
to transfer funds out of your savings.
2. Make the most of your coupon clipping Coupon clipping
is great and it helps you save on the products you normally buy.
But if you buy a product just because you have a coupon for it
chances are you are spending more money than you need to. Want
to make those coupon savings really count? Total your coupons
used or sometimes it's on the receipt and put that amount into a
savings account or piggy bank instead of just leaving it in your
checking account to spend later. If you need to, make a check
out to yourself for that amount and deducted it from your
checking and slip into the piggy bank. (Since I know some banks
charge fees for too many transfers in a month.)
3. Keep the change My bank has a program set up that
allows them to round up to the nearest dollar on every debit
card charge I make. Then at the end of the day all that spare
change gets transferred into the saving account. So you are
making a daily deposit into a savings without even noticing the
difference in your checking account. If your bank doesn't offer
you this type of program, set one up yourself. Round up all of
your receipts to the nearest dollar for the day and put that
money into a savings account or piggy bank (which ever works
better for you). Even $1.50 a day adds up. In a year's time you
will have saved $547.50 just from spare change.
4. Make some extra money and voice your opinions at the same
time Paid online surveys pay you for your opinions. It's not
a lot of money but even a few bucks a month here and there will
add up. Remember it's all the little extra cash (not regular
income) that helps you save.
5. Free Rewards Programs Sign up for free Rewards
Programs at local stores that you frequently shop. I think I'm
signed up for every free rewards program in my hometown. I'm
also signed up with Upromise to start saving for my children's
college when I shop.
6. Skip that last trip Skip that last trip to the vending
machine or convenience store. (Your waistline will be grateful
too if you skip these ones.)
These are just a few ideas to help you start saving money.