5 Steps to Save $10K Even on a Low Income

🔎 Disclosure: Heads up, babe: some links here are affiliate links, which means you might throw a tiny commission my way if you buy (zero extra cost to you). Only things you’d actually use and love get shared on this site.

1. Make a Plan for Every Paycheck

If you don’t tell your money where to go, it disappears faster than your last paycheck on Amazon.

Planning your spending keeps you in charge instead of your bank account being the boss.

You’ll want to:

• Split your paycheck into clear categories like bills, groceries, savings, and fun.
  
• Use a zero-based budget so every dollar has a purpose (even for weekend coffee runs).
  
• Review weekly to adjust for surprise expenses or small mistakes.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Write down your income, assign each dollar a job, and stick to it for two weeks.

Make It Easy: Consider using a magnetic budget board on your fridge to track where every dollar goes visually.

2. Eliminate Hidden Fees and All Subscriptions

Subscriptions are sneaky. One minute you’re watching one show, the next you’re paying for six streaming services you forgot about.

Cutting them out is one of the easiest wins for your wallet.

You’ll want to:

• Check your statements for charges you don’t even remember signing up for.
  
• Cancel duplicates or apps you barely use (you don’t need both Hulu and Paramount+).
  
• Avoid bank fees by choosing accounts with no overdraft or maintenance charges.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Go through the last two months of statements and cancel anything not essential.

Make It Easy: Try Rocket Money, which automatically identifies and cancels unwanted subscriptions for you in seconds.

3. Keep Your Savings Out of Easy Reach

If your savings sit one click away from your checking, temptation will win every time.

Moving your money out of sight keeps you from spending it out of boredom.

You’ll want to:

• Use a separate savings account that’s not linked to your debit card.
  
• Turn off instant transfers to add a layer of friction before withdrawing.
  
• Nickname it something like “Hands Off” or “Emergency Only” for motivation.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Open a new account and set up automatic transfers from every paycheck.

Make It Easy: Use a Betterment Cash Reserve Account to earn more while keeping your savings separate from daily spending.

4. Cut Back on High-Cost Habits

You don’t have to quit everything you enjoy. Just the stuff quietly draining your cash.

One look at your spending history, and you’ll probably find your “treat yourself” moments add up to rent money.

You’ll want to:

• Limit takeout and meal prep at home more often.
  
• Skip the daily lattes and make your own version that’s just as good.
  
• Replace rideshares with walking, biking, or carpooling.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Track one expensive habit for a week and replace it with a cheaper version.

Make It Easy: Get a stainless steel French press and make coffee that tastes like it came from a café.

5. Switch to Cheaper Alternatives on Everyday Items

You don’t need to sacrifice quality to save big. It’s about being smarter, not stingier.

Half the time, generic versions are the same thing with different packaging (and without the $5 logo).

You’ll want to:

• Buy store-brand groceries instead of name brands for everyday items.
  
• Find cheaper household replacements for cleaning or beauty products.
  
• Use cashback and coupons to stretch your budget further.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: On your next grocery trip, swap five branded items for generic ones and compare the results.

Make It Easy: Use Capital One Shopping to find instant discounts and cashback on everything you buy online.

📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌