Ways to Create Extra Money for Savings

April 30, 2019

Without an emergency fund, there is no money to cover unexpected expenses like car repairs or medical bills. However, by taking a look at your current spending habits and setting a saving goal, building a nest egg is a real possibility. Here are some ideas to help free up your money for savings.

Focus on Needs

Consider needs versus wants. Think about the items you purchase on a regular basis. These add up. Where can you save?

• Do you eat at restaurants a lot?
• Can you cut back on daily expenses (ex: coffee, candy, soda, or cigarettes)?
• Do you have services you do not really need (ex: cable television or a high cost phone plan)?

Be Timely

Pay your bills on time. This saves the added expense of:

• Late fees
• Extra finance charges
• Disconnection fees for utilities
• Fees to reestablish connection if your service is disconnected
• The cost of eviction
• Repossession

Open an Account

Consider opening a checking account at a bank instead of using check-cashing stores.

• If you use check-cashing stores, you might pay 2 percent or more of each check you cash. Two percent of a $500.00 check is $10.00. This can easily add up to several hundred dollars in fees every year.
• Opening a savings account and setting up recurring transfer from your checking account to your savings account can help you build a nest egg. Just be disciplined to not touch the money in your savings account. If you save just $10.00 a week, you’ll have $520.00 saved in twelve months, and $2,600.00 saved in 5 years.

Most financial advisors recommend building an emergency savings fund of at least 3 to 6 months of your regular expenses. Big goals can take time to accomplish, so we recommend having patience and taking it one step at a time.

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