If You’re Serious About Saving Money…Start Here
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Everyone says they want to save more money – but saying it and doing it are two different things. It’s easy to set a goal like “I want to save $5,000 this year,” but if you don’t change how you manage your money day to day, that goal stays a wish.
Saving doesn’t just happen because you want it to. It happens when you get intentional, put systems in place, and shift the way you think about spending. If you’re really ready to stop talking about saving and actually start doing it, here’s where you begin.
1. Get Clear on ‘Why’ You Want to Save
You need more than just a dollar amount – you need a reason. Are you saving for peace of mind? To take a break from living paycheck to paycheck? To travel without guilt or build a cushion so you’re not stressed every time life throws something unexpected at you?
When you know why you’re saving, it’s easier to stay focused. Your motivation becomes your anchor. It’s what helps you say no when spending feels tempting and stay committed when progress feels slow. Vague goals don’t create discipline – clear intentions do. (Related: Download your mindful spending Money Mindset Bullet Journal — it’s your personal spending coach).
2. Track Every Dollar (Yes, Every Dollar)
Before you can start saving more, you need to know where your money’s going. And I’m not talking about just your rent and your car payment. I mean everything – coffee runs, random Amazon orders, streaming subscriptions, snacks at the gas station.
Track every dollar for at least a month. You don’t have to do it forever, but do it long enough to get a real picture. Most people are shocked at what they find. You might think you’re spending reasonably, but until you see the numbers, it’s just a guess. Awareness is the first step to change.
3. Automate Your Savings
The easiest way to save money? Don’t give yourself the chance to forget. Automate it.
Set up an automatic transfer from your checking to your savings each time you get paid, even if it’s just $25 or $50. Make it part of your routine, not something you decide on last minute.
When saving is automatic, you don’t have to rely on willpower. It becomes part of how you operate, just like paying your bills. And over time, it adds up faster than you think. (Related video: 3 Money Saving Tips That Work When Nothing Else Does)
4. Review and Adjust Your Budget Monthly
Budgeting isn’t something you do once and never touch again. Life changes. Expenses shift. Goals evolve. That’s why you need to check in with your budget every month.
What worked last month might not work this month. Maybe your grocery spending went up or you had extra income you didn’t plan for. That’s okay, just don’t ignore it. A monthly review helps you stay proactive instead of reactive. Saving isn’t “set it and forget it.” It’s “set it and stay connected to it.”
5. Learn to Say No to Spending That Doesn’t Support Your Goals
Here’s the hard truth: you can’t save if you keep saying yes to things that don’t support your priorities. Not every invite, not every sale, not every “treat yourself” moment is worth it. And that doesn’t make you boring or broke, it makes you focused.
When you’re clear on your goals, it becomes easier to say, “This isn’t worth it right now.” You’re not saying no forever. You’re saying “not right now,” and “yes” to something bigger. That shift in mindset is what separates people who save from people who just hope to. (Related video: Everything Changes When You Don’t Shop for 30 Days)
6. Replace Impulse Buys with Planned Purchases
We all get tempted. The “just because” purchases, the boredom scrolling, the “I’ve had a long day” orders – they add up. One of the most powerful changes you can make is trading impulse for intention.
Start keeping a wish list. If you see something you want, write it down and wait 24 to 48 hours. If you still want it and it fits your budget and goals, go for it. If not? You just saved yourself from a decision you would’ve regretted later. Being intentional doesn’t mean never spending- it just means spending with purpose.