A Little Goes a Long Way: Saving on a Small Income
In this economy, everyone is trying to save money. You might feel like you don’t make enough money to save anything. But with discipline and a few tips, saving money doesn’t have to be a nightmare.
DIY
Do it yourself! If you can fix it, make it, or clean it yourself, why pay someone to do it for you? Being proactive and learning new skills can save you hundreds of dollars over time, and it gives you a feeling of accomplishment. Instead of spending money on that fancy work desk, watch a how-to video and visit your local hardware store. Turn that expensive bill into a fun family project for you and the kids — you’ll learn to build something useful and save lots of money doing it.
Pay Your Bills First
Late fees are huge money suckers. They compound over time, drawing interest the longer you ignore them. Paying your bills may be difficult when you know you can put it off, but the extra money you spend on interest could just as easily be sitting in your bank account.
You can make this a habit by organizing your bills. Have envelopes ready and labeled for each bill and set reminders in your cell phone to pay them before the late fees hit. Get into this routine, and you’ll never worry about those hidden fees again.
Every Little Bit Counts
Saving money doesn’t mean putting everything away at once. Something as simple as saving $20 out of every paycheck adds up to more than $500 per year. Saving the $6 you spend on Starbucks every day adds up to more than $2,000 per year. Every bit counts, so why not let it count in a savings account?
Saving money is possible on any income level. It just requires being conscious of what you spend and a willingness to sacrifice a little bit until you get to where you want to be.
