Savvy Saving Strategies for Those Who Struggle with Money Management

The struggle with saving money is a common issue. The high cost of living, the temptation of instant gratification, and the lack of financial literacy are just a few reasons why people have a hard time putting money aside. But the good news is, there are many creative and simple ways to build up savings. This article will highlight some of the best strategies to help men become better savers.

One of the easiest ways to build up savings is to automate the process. This strategy involves setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account. The idea is to make saving money a seamless and effortless process, so you don’t have to think about it. Here’s how you can get started with automating your savings:

1. Open a savings account: Choose a savings account that has a high interest rate, low fees, and easy access to your money. This will help you maximize your savings and earn more interest over time.
2. Set a savings goal: Decide how much you want to save each month and create a realistic savings plan. This will help you stay motivated and on track to reach your goals.
3. Automate your transfers: Once you have a savings account and a savings plan, it’s time to automate your transfers. You can set up automatic transfers through your bank’s online banking platform or mobile app. You can also set up recurring transfers or schedule them in advance to occur at specific intervals (e.g., weekly, bi-monthly, monthly).
4. Monitor your progress: Keep track of your savings and monitor your progress. This will help you see how your savings are growing over time and make any necessary adjustments to your plan.

There are many mobile apps available that can help you save money. These apps use a variety of tools and techniques to help you save, including automatic transfers, round-ups, cashback rewards, and more. Here’s some information about a few popular money-saving apps:

• Digit: Digit is an app that helps you save money automatically. The app connects to your checking account and analyzes your spending habits. Based on your income and spending patterns, Digit calculates how much you can afford to save each day and automatically transfers the money into a separate account. You can also set up custom savings goals and track your progress through the app. (https://digit.co/)
• Qapital: Qapital is another app that helps you save money automatically. The app uses a variety of rules and triggers to help you save, such as rounding up your purchases to the nearest dollar, transferring a set amount each week, or saving a percentage of your income. Qapital also offers a unique feature called “Guilt-Free Spending,” which allows you to set aside a specific amount for discretionary spending each month. (https://www.qapital.com/)
• Chime: Chime is a mobile banking app that helps you save money through its “Round Up” feature on their high-yield savings account. The app rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and transfers the difference into a separate savings account. You can also set up direct deposit and schedule automatic transfers to your savings account. (https://www.chime.com/savings-account/)
• Acorns: Acorns is a micro-investing app that helps you save money by rounding up your purchases and investing the spare change into a portfolio of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). You can also set up recurring investments and add extra funds to your account manually. Acorns offers a range of investment portfolios to choose from, so you can invest based on your risk tolerance and financial goals. (https://www.acorns.com/)

These are just a few examples of the many money-saving apps available. By using these apps, you can save money automatically, track your progress, and reach your savings goals faster.

This may seem obvious, but cutting expenses is an effective way to build savings, especially if you have a hard time saving money. The key is to determine your expenses, identify areas where you can cut back, and then find ways to save. Here’s a step-by-step guide to cutting expenses:

1. Track your expenses: To get started, you’ll need to track your expenses for a few months. You can use a budgeting app, a spreadsheet, or even a pen and paper. Make sure to track all your spending, including bills, groceries, entertainment, and discretionary spending.
2. Identify your expenses: After tracking your expenses for a few months, take a close look at your spending habits. Divide your expenses into categories such as housing, transportation, food, entertainment, etc. This will give you a clear picture of where your money is going.
3. Look for areas to cut back: Once you have identified your expenses, look for areas where you can cut back. For example, you may be spending more on groceries than you need to, you may be overpaying for your cable TV package, or you may be paying for subscriptions that you don’t use. Do you really need to be paying for all those streaming services?
   
   Another way to save money is to cut back on using food delivery services. Although they are very convenient, relying on them can end up adding up to a lot more each month than you expect
4. Find ways to save: Once you have identified areas where you can cut back, find ways to save. For example, you can bring your lunch to work instead of eating out, or you can switch to a cheaper grocery store. You can also look for sales, discounts, and coupons to save money on essentials. When it comes to cable television and/or phone service, you may also be able to save money on bills by negotiating your rates or switching providers (for more information see the next section below).
5. Implement your savings plan: Once you have found ways to save, it’s time to implement your plan. Start by making small changes and gradually building your savings over time. As you get more comfortable with cutting expenses, you can make larger changes to your spending habits.

More Ways to Cut Expenses:

• How to Reduce Your Television and Internet Bills
• How to Reduce Your Cell Phone Bill
• Save on Car Insurance

By cutting expenses and finding ways to save, you can put more money into your savings account and build your savings faster. This can help you reach your financial goals and create a more secure financial future.

Make your money work for you Investing is a great way to make your money work for you. Consider investing in stocks, mutual funds, or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). You can start with small amounts and build up over time. Alternatively, you can consider investing in real estate or starting a small business. This will help you grow your savings while also building wealth in the long-term.

Pick up a side hustle Having a side hustle can be a great way to build up your savings. Whether it’s freelance work, starting a small business, or doing odd jobs for people, the extra income can help you reach your savings goals faster. Plus, you’ll be developing new skills and potentially creating a new stream of income for yourself.

Building up savings doesn’t have to be a struggle. With a little creativity and effort, you can develop habits that will help you put money aside each month. Whether it’s automating your savings, cutting expenses, making your money work for you, or picking up a side hustle, there are many ways to reach your savings goals. Start today and see your savings grow!