There is more to saving than just trying not to spend and keeping money. It is an art that should be studied, practiced, and mastered.
Forbes gives five concrete strategies to make sure the money you try to keep will really end up as your savings.
"The One Week Budget" author Tiffany Aliche encourages people to automate their savings. It is the new discipline that works efficiently. People should automate specific savings amount every time they get their pay.
Nasdaq suggests that by automatically transferring the money from your checking account to your savings account, you can avoid any emotional factors that will lead you to spending. This is also best if you miss to pay close attention to your money.
Start small and gradually increase your savings target. By slowly increasing the bar after hitting a savings goal, you can motivate yourself to save more. Start small and increase your savings by a $10 increment.
Make sure your savings funds are not liquid. Don't link it with your debit card. Make it inconvenient for you to withdraw your money. Distance yourself from your savings account to increase the likelihood of keeping that money as a saving.
Put your savings into segments, like "retirement savings," emergency funds," "car savings, and "vacation." This will give you more motivation and discipline to really follow a savings budget. By putting your savings in separate accounts, you can make sure that the fund you intend for a specific thing wont be used for something else. If that account is for vacation, it should only be used for your vacation. This will give you more discipline when it comes to saving money.
According to Dispatch, it is important to have a solid financial plan, which is why it is best to stay connected with your finances if you want to make sure your money stays on your savings account.
Make sure you stay on top of your finances to follow a long-term savings plan. You should check your credit card statements to determine how your money is moving or where your funds really are. Know how much you spend and how much you save. Your liabilities and assets should properly be in line.
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