Here are a few reasons why you save:

#1- BUDGET

The most important place to start when saving money is to get on a budget.  Most people are afraid to analyze their current position because they’re AFRAID of what they might find.  You need to pause and punch fear in the face. 

A budget is all about being intentional. It helps you create a plan so you can see where your money is going and find out how much you can actually save each month.

A budget serves as your roadmap to reach your destination.  If you were going on a trip you would want to know when you are leaving, where you are going, how long that you are going to be gone.  Your budget should provide the same guidance.

A budget is not telling yourself “no.” In reality, a budget is just a tool that helps you say “yes” and not dig a hole for yourself in the process.

#2- AUTOMATIC SAVINGS

Setting up automatic savings is the easiest and most effective way to save.  It lets your savings grow unattended. If you schedule the transfer around the time that your earnings arrive, the money for savings never really mixes with your spending funds. 

Over time, you may get used to living on that smaller amount too, making it easier to let your savings build.

Using automatic transfers can empower you to save without investing much time or energy. Think about it: You can achieve a goal simply by sitting back and letting your money grow.

#3- Use the 24-Hour Rule. 

I never make purchases over $50 on a single object without going home and sleeping on it first.  Avoid purchasing expensive or unnecessary items on impulse. For any non-essential item, wait 24 hours before purchasing. It’s perfect for online shopping where your items can simply be added to your cart to purchase later.  You may even wake up the next day and think “WHAT WAS I THINKING”.  It can also help with “buyers remorse”.

#4- Turn off the lights.

When I was a kid, I used to be scared of the dark… now that I am an adult, I’m scared of the light.  Keeping the lights on in your home may not be expensive on a per-watt basis, but it sure does add up over time. To save as much as you can, turn off lights any time you leave your house – or even when you leave the room. Turning off lights when you have plenty of natural sunlight can also help keep your electric bill down over time. The bottom line: If you aren’t using a light, turn it off.

#5- Prep for grocery shopping

One of the easiest ways to save money is to only shop when you have a list. Because when you’re without one, you typically end up making impulse buys and unplanned purchases – all things that cost money.  Check your pantry and make a grocery list, then use coupons and loyalty programs to maximize your savings as you shop.

And use coupons and cash back apps like Ibotta.  Ibotta is an easy to use, cash back rewards app. I use it every time I shop, I get around $50 back each month! The Ibotta Referral Code apucgtu (link: https://ibotta.com/r/apucgtu) will give you a $10 sign-up bonus for the top cashback app Ibotta. Ibotta is easy to use, a cashback rewards app. I use it every time I shop and thought you would like it too! You have 7 days to redeem your first rebate using the app in order to get that $10 cash bonus! So go use the Ibotta app this week!