As the times show, when an emergency can occur–it eventually will. By keeping some money aside, you can be better prepared for events like loss of income or other financial emergencies. Putting money away each month is easy if you have money leftover after you cover your vital expenses and personal spending. But if you’re spending too much, there’s no leftover money for saving! That’s why planning how much you’ll spend by creating a budget is a great idea. Here are some tips for making sure you have leftover money to save up each month.
- Make A Budget – Plain and simple, you can’t stick to a budget if you don’t have one. If you’re looking to start a budget from scratch, check out our blog Seven Steps to a Successful Budget.
- Set Up Net Pay – With Net Pay you never have to worry about missing a payment. You can have your bills paid right out of your credit union account every month! There’s no need to buy stamps or run to the mailbox at the last minute. You can pay an unlimited number of bills each month!
- Plan Your Meals – We all know how quickly eating out can add up. That’s why it’s important to be conscious of your food budget. Meal planning for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks can save you so much money! An added bonus – it’s healthier for you too!
- Stick To Your Grocery List – Meal planning is sure to save money, but don’t forget to stick to your shopping list when you’re at the grocery store so that you don’t end up buying items you don’t really need. And on that note, never go grocery shopping while hungry! It’s guaranteed you’ll end up leaving with more than you came for.
- Keep Track of Your Day-To-Day Expenses – It’s important to monitor the money coming and going from your bank account. It’ll also help you to see areas where you’re overspending. Sometimes you just don’t realize how often you’re stopping for fast food or impulse buying clothes. If pen and paper is a bit too antiquated for you, there are plenty of apps that can track your budget for you!
- Get Thrifty – If you’re a consumer at heart, you don’t have to stop making non-essential purchases. Just be frugal about it! Thrift stores and online second hand retailers are perfect ways to keep your wardrobe and home up-to-date!
- Borrow Books – If you’re an avid reader, check out your local library! Not only can you borrow the newest best seller for free, but many libraries also have digital apps that allow you to rent ebooks, audiobooks, and movies! If you can’t find what you’re looking for through your library, jump back to step 6 and try to find that bestseller at a secondhand book store.