You’re not the only one who has trouble saving money, and while it isn’t easy to save money, it isn’t impossible. There are many ways to keep more money in your bank account, from big things like refinancing your mortgage to small things like using coupons.
The hardest part of saving money is sometimes just getting started. This guide can help you develop a simple and realistic plan to save for all your short-term and long-term goals. Follow the tips on saving money and seeing how your savings can improve over time.

Track Your Expenses
To start saving money, you must first figure out how much you spend. Monitor all your expenditures, from daily coffee purchases and household supplies to cash tips and monthly bills. Use a pencil and paper, a simple spreadsheet, or a free online spending tracker or app to keep track of your expenses.

Once you have your numbers, put them into groups like gas, groceries, and mortgage, and add up each one. Make sure you’ve included everything by looking at your credit card and bank statements.
Sort your spending by rent, utilities, entertainment, food, and travel at the end of the month. This will show you what you spend the most money on. It will also help you find places to cut back on spending.
Create a Budget
Now that you’re aware of your monthly spending, you can begin to create a budget. Your budget should show how much you spend compared to how much you make, so you can plan your spending and not overspend.

A budget assists you in planning your spending and saving by monitoring the monthly inflow and outflow of money. Apps for budgeting and saving money can help you set up automatic savings, get alerts when you spend too much, and invest some of your money.
When you set up a budgeting app, you might have to create categories for your monthly expenses, like mortgage or rent, transportation, groceries, and fun. Once you’ve set up the app, looking at your spending every so often can help you find ways to save money.
Find Ways to Spend Less
If you can’t save as much as you would like, it might be time to cut back on how much you spend. Find ways to save money on things that aren’t necessary, like eating out and going to the movies. Explore opportunities to reduce costs on recurring expenses such as your car insurance or cell phone plan.

Here are some ways to trim your expenses.
- Search for free activities: Use resources like listings of community events to find free or cheap ways to have fun.
- Review recurring charges: Cancel any memberships or subscriptions you don’t use, especially if they automatically renew.
- Cook at home: Plan to eat most of your meals at home, and when you want to treat yourself, look into restaurant deals in your area.
- Wait before you buy: If you want to buy something that isn’t necessary, wait a few days. You might realize that you don’t need the item, and you can make a plan to save up for it.
Set Savings Goals
One of the most effective ways to save money is to set a goal by identifying short-term and long-term goals for your savings. Next, calculate the time required to accumulate the needed savings.

Common short-term goals include an emergency fund with enough money for three to nine months of living costs, a vacation, or a down payment on a car. Meanwhile, long-term goals are usually a downpayment on a home or remodeling project, your child’s education, or your retirement.
Set goals for how much money you want and a deadline to help you save. Want to buy a house with a 20% down payment in three years? Now that you have a goal, you know how much you need to save each month from reaching it.
Identify Your Financial Priorities
Becoming financially stable requires setting short-term and long-term financial goals. Without a plan, it’s easy to go through money unnecessarily. There won’t be enough money for emergencies or retirement.

Credit card debt can keep you from getting the insurance you need, and you may feel like you’ll never be able to afford it. Consequently, you will be less ready than you should be for some of life’s greatest dangers. Perhaps even more than your income and spending, your goals will determine how you spend your money.
If you need a new automobile soon, you can start putting money away for it now. Retirement preparation should not be put on hold to meet immediate financial obligations. Prioritizing your savings goals will help you decide where to put your hard-earned cash.
Have a Savings Account
If you can save enough each month, you should consider opening more accounts to move on to better interest rates. A dedicated savings account gives you a higher interest rate, but you can’t get your money out of it as quickly. You must keep a certain amount in the account and shouldn’t take money out of the savings account.

Accounts that the FDIC backs are the best kind of savings accounts. The FDIC is a federal corporation that protects up to $250,000 of your bank investments. Most of the time, you can earn interest on this kind of savings account.
The rules for savings accounts at each bank are different. For instance, typically, you cannot retrieve your deposit through a check or an ATM withdrawal. Some banks let you take money out, but they charge a fee for each withdrawal.
Open More than One Bank Account
Spending money is harder when you can’t get to it immediately. Consider opening a savings account for big expenses you make once a year, and use your main account for automatic payments. Then, you can transfer a monthly amount to a current account with a debit card for normal, everyday spending.

Having more than one account can help you keep your spending and save money separate from your household and your own money. If you have more than one bank account, it will make it easier to keep track of each person’s savings goals.
Multiple bank accounts can help you spend and save in a way that works for you and your partner if you like to split household finances. You can teach your child good money habits, like sticking to a budget, by opening a joint bank account with one of them.
Get Rid of Credit Cards and Store Cards
Don’t live on credit, no matter what you do! Not only will you have to pay everything back with interest, but it’s also tough to track how much you’re spending. Without a budget, it’s simple to overlook how small purchases like a cup of coffee or a new book can accumulate over the month and lead to financial trouble.

A budget is a great way for many people to keep their spending in check. If you don’t already have a budget plan, it’s easier than you think to make one. Making a budget is as easy as making a list of how much you make each month and how much you spend each month.
How much you can spend will be shown by how much is still in your account. Self-control is necessary when it comes to money, not because it’s moral or spiritual, but because it’s useful. High interest rates on credit cards increase the cost of your purchases, and failing to pay them off can impact your credit score and hinder your future financial objectives.
Set up Direct Debits
Direct debits are the best way to pay monthly bills, rent, or loan payments that you know will come out every month. You’d be surprised at how much money this trick can save you.

Payments are made automatically, so you never have to worry about forgetting to pay a bill or having it get lost in the mail, or being late because of a problem with the post office. This also eliminates the concern over late payment fees.
Direct debit is a better way to pay because it costs less. Card networks usually charge between 3% and 5% for transactions, while direct debit is generally cheaper at around 1%. One of the best things about direct debit is that it saves both the merchant and the customer time by automating the process.
Also Read: American Express Credit Card: Discover the Features and How to Apply
Always Carry Cash
When you pay for things with cash from your budget, it’s easier to track where your money is going. It also makes you more aware of how much money goes out and how much comes in weekly or monthly.

Cash has one clear advantage over using a credit card: you will have to pay interest on your purchase if you use credit and carry a balance. If you don’t use your card and save enough cash for the same purchase, it’s like giving yourself a huge discount.
A credit card is a good alternative to cash only if you promise to pay it off in full every month and do. Credit cards, even secured ones, can help you build credit to buy a house or something else big in the future.
Conclusion
It can be hard to learn how to handle your money, especially if you have a family to plan for. Use these tips to help you save money in your everyday life.