Saving money isn’t always easy. Especially when you’re just getting started.
Excuses can come from every direction and before you know it your good intentions turn sour. Luckily, if you can identify the reasons why you think you can’t save money you can fix them.
It make take a while to fully get into the savings habit of putting money in a checking account, but if you can rid yourself of these excuses you’ll eventually reach your goal.
It’s My Money – I Deserve to Spend It!
Nobody wants to go without. But when your goal is to save money something has got to give.
Start slow. Give up something small. If you eat out three times per week cut it down two and save the money you would have spent. If you give yourself a certain amount of spending money each week cut it back by ten dollars and stash the money into your savings.
Pinpoint your weaknesses and make a slow conscious effort to correct them.
It’s Not Worth It
“I can only save $10 a week. That won’t get me anywhere.”
But actually it will.
Ten dollars a week equates to $520 a year. No that’s not a ton of money but it could be a great start to an emergency fund. And the important thing is that you’re building a savings habit – that’s what really matters.
Even if you can only save $1 per paycheck, do it. You can always add to the amount you save later but by starting now you’ll develop a lifelong habit.
Small steps in the right direction will get you to where you want to be.
I Need These Other Things
“I need a $20,000 car even though that’s my yearly salary.” “I need designer clothes.” “I need a new flat screen TV.”
No you don’t.
There are many frugal ways to satisfy your needs without flushing your money down the toilet. Buy used cars. Shop at thrift stores. Buy a secondhand TV. I promise, it’s really not that bad.
If you give it a shot you might find that bargain hunting is actually fun!
If you focus on what you really need instead of buying everything you want you’ll have plenty of extra money to save.
What Do You Think?
We all start at zero and work our way up.
When it comes to saving no amount is too small. The important thing is that you take the time to create a budget and find some money to save. Even if you can only save a small amount you’re taking a step in the right direction by creating a habit of saving your money.
And if you’re looking for extra ways to bring in money check out our posts on starting a side business.
What excuses have you made not to start saving money?