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10 Tips on How to Save Money

Saving money is more important than ever. Whether saving for a rainy day, planning a big purchase or building a nest egg for the future, every penny counts. If you’re here looking for the best ways to save money, you’ve come to the right place.

From budgeting techniques to savvy shopping strategies, let these tips empower you to make the most of your income and save more. Keep reading for our ten tips on how to save money:

Tips on how to save money include setting goals, creating a budget, automating transfers, and more.

1. Assess Your Financial Situation

Take a comprehensive look at all sources of income, including salaries, bonuses, side hustles and any other sources of revenue. Next, track your spending habits meticulously. You can use budgeting apps, spreadsheets or even pen and paper to monitor incoming and outgoing money. 

Identify where your money goes each month and categorize expenses into essentials like rent, groceries, utilities, etc. Then, make a list of non-essentials like entertainment or subscriptions. 

2. Set Financial Goals

Make your money goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART). Start with short-term goals, like paying off a small debt. Then, focus on medium-term goals, like saving for a down payment on a house. Finally, you can think about longer-term goals, such as retirement savings.

3. Create a Budget

A budget is a plan for your money. It helps you know how much you have coming in and how much you spend. Creating a better budget ensures you use your money wisely. 

To make a budget, take the income and expenses you calculated in tip one (above) to give you a clear picture of what’s coming in and going out. With this information, you can look for ways to cut back, like eating out less or canceling subscriptions you don’t need.

4. Automate Transfers

One of the most important tips for saving money is automating transfers from your checking account to your savings account or other accounts. This method helps you save consistently, and you can set up transfers to happen on payday or at regular intervals, like weekly or monthly. 

5. Identify Areas to Cut Spending

With your budget in hand, you should know how many of your expenses are necessities and how many are non-essential. Cutting spending means identifying ways to spend less money on the items you don’t really need, allowing you to save more. Some areas where you might be able to save include groceries, subscriptions, eating out, entertainment and more.

6. Reduce Debt

Debt can significantly affect how much you can afford to put toward savings while also impacting your credit score and ability to secure financing when needed. When you have less debt, you save money because you won’t be paying as much interest, which is the fee for borrowing money from a bank, credit card company or lender. 

Common types of debt include student loans, auto loans, mortgage and credit card debt. Building good credit and paying off debt helps to frees up money you can put into your savings.

7. Consider Refinancing

Refinancing replaces your current loan – home, auto, personal or student loan — with a new one that often has better terms like a lower interest rate or longer repayment period. This loan can help you save money in the long run because it can lower your monthly payments or reduce the total amount you’ll pay over time in interest.

8. Follow the 50/30/20 Rule

The 50/30/20 rule is a budgeting principle to help you manage your money better. Here’s how it works:

Pie chart breaking down the 50/30/20 budgeting rule, where 50% of income goes toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings.
  • 50% for needs: Allocate 50% of your income to cover essentials like rent or mortgage, groceries, utilities, transportation and minimum debt payments. 
  • 30% for wants: Use 30% of your income for discretionary spending — the things you won’t but don’t necessarily need. This can include dining out, entertainment, hobbies and other non-essential items. 
  • 20% for savings and debt repayment: Save or use 20% of your income for financial goals like building an emergency fund, planning for retirement or paying off debt faster.

9. Leverage Technology and Resources

Using tools and tech can make managing your money easier and help you become more financially savvy while learning how to budget and save money. A few tools you can use include:

  • Budgeting apps: Budget apps can track your spending, categorize expenses and set savings goals. 
  • Money trackers: Use these tools to monitor your expenses and income, identify trends and adjust your budget as needed. 
  • Online resources: Read blogs, articles, podcasts and videos that offer tips, advice and strategies for better money management. 
  • Financial education: Try free financial counseling services to improve your financial literacy. Talk to an advisor at your bank or credit union about budgeting, saving and investing, debt management and retirement planning.

10. Consider a Money Market Account

A money market account is essentially a credit union or bank’s version of a high-yield savings account. These accounts pay higher interest rates than most typical savings accounts. This means you can grow your money faster over time.

Money market accounts also give you easy access to your money. You can typically withdraw through checks, debit cards or electronic transfers. 

Key Takeaways: How to Save Money

Learning how to save money is a process that involves assessing and reassessing your financial situation, setting goals and creating a budget that aligns with those goals. At California Credit Union, we understand the importance of saving money and can help you achieve your financial goals. From money market accounts to personalized financial guidance, we’re here to help you make the most of your money. Become a member to start saving today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Refinancing your car with the same lender is a viable option for many borrowers. Most lenders, including the one you currently have, offer refinancing services to their existing customers. The process involves negotiating new loan terms, such as a lower interest rate or extended repayment period, to better suit your financial circumstances.

To begin the process, you can contact your current lender. However, keep in mind that many individuals choose to refinance with a different lender for lender-specific perks, which may include additional benefits such as lower interest rates, improved customer service or more flexible repayment options. 

While refinancing with the same lender can be convenient, exploring offers from other financial institutions allows you to make an informed decision based on your unique needs.

Refinancing your auto loan can provide several benefits, including the potential for better interest rates and more favorable loan terms. However, determining whether you should refinance requires careful consideration of your current loan compared to the terms of the new loan. 

You should compare the interest rate on your current loan with the rates offered by potential refinancing lenders. If you can secure a lower interest rate, it may lead to lower monthly payments and long-term savings. Additionally, consider the terms of the new loan, including the repayment period.

Keep in mind that there are some scenarios when refinancing your auto loan may not make sense. For instance, if interest rates have increased or you’re facing financial challenges, refinancing your loan may not be feasible. 

While refinancing can be a smart way to save, you should always weigh the potential benefits against any costs or fees associated with the process. 

How quickly you can refinance an auto loan can vary among lenders. However, many typically allow borrowers to consider refinancing after the first six months of taking out the initial loan. Keep in mind that this timeframe is a guideline, and specific lenders may have different policies. 

Have more questions?

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