Do you find yourself living paycheck to paycheck and struggling to save up for an emergency fund? There are things that you can do to help put yourself in a better financial position. Take a look at this little list that we have put together of easy ways that you can boost your savings when you feel like you are scraping by.
Set a Budget
I know we harp on this often, but really setting a budget is the cornerstone to a happy and healthy financial life. Though it may seem stressful, setting a budget when you live paycheck to paycheck is imperative and can make the difference in your success. If you stay true to following your budget, you are far less likely to strain your checkbook or go in the red.
Start an online savings account
Yes, you really could start any kind of savings account, but I have found that online savings accounts are the easiest way to boost your savings. Why? Well because it’s harder to get your hands onto your money if it is stuck in an online account, where it takes 2 to 3 days to transfer it into your regular bank account. I know this from personal experience as my husband and I recently began depositing money straight from my husband’s paycheck into a savings account that is solely online. We chose a small amount (less than $70 per month) and we now have over $1000 built up, which is nice since we really don’t even notice that amount being pulled out each month.
Set a savings goal
If you have a goal set as far as how much you are trying to save, you will find more success. It is easier to say no to impulse buying and unnecessary spending. Going along with what we talked about earlier, when you live paycheck to paycheck, it is better to start with a small amount being saved per pay period. Whether it is $20, $50 or $100, it will help you to steadily build your savings without causing stress to your otherwise stretched budget.
What have you found helpful in your savings journey? How do you find pockets of money to save while you are barely making ends meet?
