It is very important in this day and age to start your savings plan right away. Do not let the news media and all the news about our lousy economy get you down. With the high cost of things today I know that it can be hard to save but it can be done. You can get control of your money.
Ever wonder how you will get that 3 to 6 months of living expenses socked away in case of emergencies? So had I so I set out looking for ways to add to my savings. Here are a few of those simple ways to kick start your savings.
The most important step to start your savings is to actually start! Don’t think that too little is too little and not worth the effort. Even $10 each month is $120 a year. Hey, $120 is better than a sharp stick in the eye. And let’s face the facts if you think that $120 is not very much then you can probably afford to save a whole lot more than that. Bottom line is that you need to start.
The next way to get going is to pay yourself first. I know, I know you have heard it before. Ever wonder why you hear it? Because it works. When you go to cash your paycheck put 10% of it into a savings account that you do not touch. If you bring home $400 each week that is only $40 each week but it adds up to $2080 each year. It may hurt for a couple of weeks or even months but if you keep doing it it will become a habit and you will learn to not miss the money. Better yet if your employer offers direct deposit have them put the 10% right into your money market or savings account and you will never miss it.
Next make sure you keep a watch on what you spend throughout the day. You will most likely be amazed at how much you waste on this candy bar or that soda pop. Why not drink water from the tap instead of bottled water. Once you begin to eliminate all the fancy extras make sure that you put the savings into your savings account.
Every payday I set aside a grocery allowance for my wife to use for food and household supplies. She in turn is very careful in what she buys. She will clip coupons and buy what is on sale in order to cut the costs then she stashes the extra in a secret place until she has a couple of hundred and we put it into our emergency fund. We like the food she buys so if she tries something that is cheaper and we do not like it then she goes back to the more expensive stuff. Remember sometimes cheaper is not always cheaper.
Men, empty the change from your pockets every night into a special container. Ladies, clean out your purse of the change laying around in it every couple of days and put it into that special container. Not only will that build up your savings but ladies your bag will not be so heavy and men no boatload of pennies and nickles jangling. This can add up to $10 to $20 every month or $120 to $240 every year. I know not much but combine that with the other tips above and it adds up to a sizable amount.
Every little bit helps. The key is to start your savings today and don’t wait. No sense talking about it and not doing it get started today, don’t delay your financial freedom is worth the effort. You will be glad yo did when that financial emergency hits and it will they always do. But when you have some money socked away for it they seem to come less often.