Do you set saving goals, life gets busy and then forget about them? Do you want to start saving money but not sure where to start?
Sometimes, you just need someone to tell you exactly what to do in order to save money.
I can help with that.
I saved more than $100,000 in six years. Starting from when I was 23 to 29 years old.
I actually didn’t start with a big goal of saving $100,000. I was just committed to paying off my student loans ASAP. Along the way, I saved more than I ever thought possible.
With that said, it’s important to recognize the one thing that’s driving you to save money.
Why do YOU want to save money?
What’s the first thing that came to mind? Say it out loud.
Whatever that reason is, it’s important because it’s the first one that came to mind.
Whatever it maybe, it’s important to YOU.
I’m here to help you set weekly reminders that will help you save money. These reminders will tell you when to spend money and when not to spend money. Have you ever tried that before?
May you have maybe you haven’t. But this time it’s serious, you are saving because it’s important to you and you have a why.
What’s the fastest and easiest way to save money? Spending less money.
Spending less money is a lot easier said then done so it’s important to set daily and weekly reminders that will help you spend less and save money.
Start Somewhere
Start somewhere, anywhere! But start.
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
Chinese proverb
Don’t dread about how much money you’ve spent in the past. The past is the past and all we can do it learn from it.
When it comes to saving money, the key is to simply start. It’s easy to get overwhelmed so setting a schedule is the easiest way to move forward.
Think of it as your work schedule, you just follow it right? You start at 9 and end at 5. Maybe your times are different but you get the idea, it’s set for you and you just follow it.
We are going to set a schedule that will help you spend less and save money.
Understand Where Your Money Goes
Before we set a schedule, it’s important to understand where your money is going.
We are going to get organized first.
make a list
Make a list of everything you spend money on every week and/or month. You don’t have to add the expenses that you have once a year or even quarterly (every 3 months). Just expenses that you have on a weekly and/or monthly basis.
Also, this list does not include your fixed expenses. Fixed expenses are payments that you have to make every month and are the same. Fixed expenses are things like your; mortgage/rent, HOA fees, utilities, car insurance, health insurance, student loans, car payment, gas, transportation etc.
Note on utilities – although your utilities expense can change, you probably pay about the same amount every month. For example, my electricity bill is usually $24-$27 so I say this is a $30 fixed expense.
Back to your list. Here’s an example of what your list might look like. These are expenses that I have every week and/or month.
categorize your list
Next, I want you to categorize your list. These are the categories that are going to be added to your schedule.
I encourage you to have as little categories as possible. Keep your spending simple and easy to follow.
I only have six categories in my budget. They are:
| Category #1 | Groceries |
| Category #2 | Personal Care |
| Category #3 | Home/Laundry |
| Category #4 | Makeup/Clothes |
| Category #5 | Going Out |
| Category #6 | Misc. |
Feel free to use my categories in order to keep you schedule simple and easy to follow.
This what my list looks like after I’ve categorized it.
set Where Your Money Goes
Now, let’s move on to the fun part. You are going to add your categories to certain days of the week and only going to spend money on those specific days.
You are also going to set, no spending days.
If on your “no spend day” a health or home maintenance emergency comes up. It’s okay to spend the money, it’s completely out of your control.
Remember when I said, sometimes you just need someone to tell you exactly what to do in order to save money.
Let me help with what!
As far spending, this is how many times I suggest spending on each category every week and/or month.
| Category | Spending |
| Groceries | 2x or 4x Week |
| Personal Care | 1x Month |
| Home/Laundry | 1x Month |
| Makeup/Clothes | 1x Month |
| Going Out | 4x Month |
| Misc. | 1x Month |
If you’re asking how much money you should spend on each category, that comes down to how much money you make and how much money you have leftover after setting your saving goal.
If you haven’t already, start by creating a budget given your specific income and saving goals. Go to 5 Easy Steps To Budgeting Success.
Below is what my monthly spending calendar looks like. It includes when I spend money, don’t spend money, and some reminders to keep me on track.
On Sundays, I try to do all my grocery shopping for the week. This helps make sure I have enough food for the week and keeps me from getting takeout.
As far as my Going Out category. I schedule this for once a week. It’s important to take time to enjoy yourself and have fun. I have a Going Out budget so I know exactly how much I have to spend.
write down your why
Lastly, you will write at the top of your monthly spending calendar your why.
Why are you saving money? It’s a lot easier to stay committed to your saving goal, and pretty much any other goal, when you’re clear on why.
Are you saving for a vacation, finish paying your student loans, down payment on house, a new purse?
Whatever your goal is, write it down.
Also, print your schedule and put it somewhere you can easily see it. Maybe your refrigerator? You will use it as a reference to know when you can spend money.
Remember to follow your spending schedule as you would a work schedule.
conclusion
The fastest way to save money is to spend less money.
How do you spend less money? You create a spending schedule that tells you when to spend money. A schedule with set weekly reminders that will help you save money along the way.
It’s easy to buy whenever you want to but that’s when you get into trouble. Your purchases may not be that big but they add up quickly.
I saved more than $100,000 in six years. The secret? I spent less on almost everything. Let me help you create a schedule that tells you when to spend money.
Don’t wait another year, month, or day. Get started ASAP.
Bookmark this page and start today!
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