Multiple Blue Rings

8 simple ways to save money

Record your expenses

The first step to start saving money is figuring out how much you spend. Keep track of all your expenses—that means every coffee, household item and cash tip as well as regular monthly bills.  Record your expenses however is easiest for you—a pencil and paper, a simple spreadsheet or a free online spending 

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Record your expenses

tracker or app. Once you have your data, organize the numbers by categories, such as gas, groceries and mortgage, and total each amount. Use your credit card and bank statements to make sure you’ve included everything.

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Include saving in your budget

Now that you know what you spend in a month, you can begin to create a budget. Your budget should show what your expenses are relative to your income, so that you can plan your spending and limit overspending.  Be sure to factor in expenses that occur regularly but not every month, such as car maintenance. Include a 

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Include saving in your budget

savings category in your budget and aim to save an amount that initially feels comfortable to you. Plan on eventually increasing your savings by up to 15 to 20 percent of your income.

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Find ways to cut spending

If you can’t save as much as you’d like, it might be time to cut back on expenses. Identify nonessentials, such as entertainment and dining out, that you can spend less on.  Look for ways to save on your fixed monthly expenses, such as your car insurance or cell phone plan, as well. Other ideas for trimming everyday

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Find ways to cut spending

expenses include: Search for free activities Use resources, such as community event listings, to find free or low-cost entertainment. Review recurring charges Cancel subscriptions and memberships you don’t use—especially if they renew automatically. Examine the cost of eating out vs. cooking at home

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Find ways to cut spending

Plan to eat most of your meals at home, and research local restaurant deals for nights that you want to treat yourself. Wait before you buy When tempted by a nonessential purchase, wait a few days. You may realize the item was something you wanted rather than needed—and you can develop a plan to save for it.

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Set savings goals

One of the best ways to save money is to set a goal. Start by thinking about what you might want to save for—both in the short term (one to three years) and the long term (four or more years). Then estimate how much money you’ll need and how long it might take you to save it. Common short-term goals: Emergency fund (three to nine months of 

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Set savings goals

living expenses), vacation or down payment for a car Common long-term goals: Down payment on a home or a remodeling project, your child’s education or retirement

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Determine your financial priorities

After your expenses and income, your goals are likely to have the biggest impact on how you allocate your savings.  For example, if you know you’re going to need to replace your car in the near future, you could start putting away money for one now. But be sure to remember long-term goals—it’s important that planning for retirement 

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Determine your financial priorities

doesn’t take a back seat to shorter-term needs. Learning how to prioritize your savings goals can give you a clear idea of how to allocate your savings.

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Pick the right tools

There are many savings and investment accounts suitable for short- and long-term goals. And you don’t have to pick just one. Look carefully at all the options and consider balance minimums, fees, interest rates, risk and how soon you’ll need the money so you can choose the mix that will help you best save for your goals.

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Pick the right tools

Short-term goals If you’ll need the money soon or need to be able to access it quickly, consider using these FDIC-insured deposit accounts: – A savings account – A certificate of deposit (CD), which locks in your money for a fixed period of time at a rate that is typically higher than that of a savings account

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Pick the right tools

Long-term goals If you’re saving for retirement or your child’s education, consider: – FDIC-insured individual retirement accounts (IRAs) or 529 plans, which are tax-efficient savings accounts – Securities, such as stocks or mutual funds. These investment products are available through investment accounts with a broker-dealer

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Make saving automatic

Almost all banks offer automated transfers between your checking and savings accounts.  You can choose when, how much and where to transfer money or even split your direct deposit so that a portion of every paycheck goes directly into your savings account.

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Watch your savings grow

Review your budget and check your progress every month. That will help you not only stick to your personal savings plan, but also identify and fix problems quickly.  Understanding how to save money may even inspire you to find more ways to save and hit your goals faster.

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