Four Habits of Successful Money Savers
Let’s face it, saving up can be a hard thing to do. With all the bills to pay, house needs, and extracurricular spending, putting away a good amount of money into savings can run a little short.
So, it would make you wonder how other people can successfully manage their savings, and still have enough to spend. Well, it has little to do with how much they earn, and more on the habits they exercise when it comes to their finances.
Here are some of the habits that successful money savers utilize.
CHECK YOUR MONEY
Keeping track of money going in and out is not a hard thing to do, especially with all the free apps available. Be mindful of all your spending, no matter how little or expensive.
Allotting time at the end of every day or every week to list down what you’ve spent can help you assess how much you’ve been spending on a certain category. This is also helpful in allotting a certain budget for certain needs, especially on house bills.
Make a habit of updating your financial chart and checking your balance regularly. Saving begins with knowing how much money is coming into your account and providing a monthly cash flow. With this, you know how much you can devote to your respective saving goals.
MIND THE LITTLE THINGS
When it comes to spending money, you must know how to differentiate wants from needs. New clothing, traveling, or regularly eating out are often inessential expenses masked as needs.
It’s also good to be mindful when spending a dollar on an app or a Frappuccino every week. Remember that little things tend to accumulate into big expenses quickly. Instead of spending on these small wants, you can save it up for your monthly bills.
To make sure you spend your allotted budget on real needs, it’s best to list down even the smallest expense. It’s good to write down not only your basic needs but also your wants and big wishes. This will prioritize your spending and allow you to get more out of what you really want.
Save up on buying clothes by mixing your wardrobe pieces, cook easy packed lunches instead of eating out, and plan a discounted short trip every two years if you really need to unwind.
BE FRUGAL, NOT FLASHY
If you look at most millionaires, they don’t tend to be too flashy with their spending and they live well below their “means.” While it’s healthy to indulge once in a while on your wants, it’s also important to live a frugal life daily.
Using coupons and deals and knowing alternative options before buying can help you save more. Most successful savers are not too proud to do this.
Being frugal isn’t limited to using coupons, as well. Sit down and take the time to assess where your money goes.
Review your bills, subscriptions, and extracurricular expenses. See if the amount you spend is reasonable enough or if it is more than what should be allotted. Instead of spending too much on these things, put a larger percentage of your income into savings and investments. This will maximize the use of your money and allow you to have a more secure future and retirement.
BE YOUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY
One habit for a successful saving, and probably the most important of them all, is paying yourself first. Prioritizing yourself doesn’t mean spending your money on inessential things, but actually means putting money into your savings first.
Most people prioritize paying the bills and buying house needs first and then spend what’s little left of their income. This process tends to hinder you from putting any money into savings.
Think of your savings as a more important bill to pay. This way you won’t be too complacent in putting money into savings first.
The percentage of your income going into savings doesn’t have to be too big. Start small and work your way up from there. By doing this, you can still cover the budget for your bills and have enough leftover to spend. This can come in handy should the need arise for an emergency fund for accidents, bills, and many more.
