Disclosure: WE DON’T SELL ANY COURSES. We make money through product suggestions located in our content as an affiliate. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The ideas presented are Money Vice editorial team’s opinions and presented for entertainment purposes only. We’re not licensed financial advisors. The information presented should not be construed as financial or legal advice. Always do your own due diligence.
1. Start Small, But Start Now
👉 In a Nutshell: Even a few dollars saved today is better than nothing.
You know that feeling when you promise to start saving… but never do?
Like waiting for the “perfect” time to hit the gym. It doesn’t exist ☝️
If you wait until you “have more money,” you’ll keep waiting forever.
Even $5 a week can add up faster than you think.
Small steps make big moves. just start.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
-
Step 1: Pick a Number: Decide on an amount, even if it’s just $1.
-
Step 2: Open a Separate Account: Keep it away from your spending money.
-
Step 3: Save It Now: Transfer that small amount today. Don’t wait.
2. Find Hidden Money in Your Budget
👉 In a Nutshell: There’s extra cash hiding in your spending. You just have to find it.
Ever check your bank statement and think, Where did my money go?
Subscriptions you forgot about. Late-night food deliveries. That “one” Amazon order 💀
Your money is doing a disappearing act, and you didn’t even notice.
Time to grab a flashlight and start hunting for those dollars.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
-
Step 1: Print Your Last Bank Statement: Highlight every non-essential expense.
-
Step 2: Cancel or Reduce: Cut what you don’t need and downgrade what you can.
-
Step 3: Move the Savings: Take the amount you cut and transfer it to your fund.
3. Use the ‘Pay Yourself First’ Trick
👉 In a Nutshell: Save first, then spend what’s left. Not the other way around.
Most people save after spending… and guess what?
There’s never anything left 😖
Flip the script: treat savings like your most important bill.
If you pay Netflix before yourself, we need to talk.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
-
Step 1: Pick a Percentage: Decide what % of your income goes to savings first.
-
Step 2: Automate It: Set up a direct transfer right after payday.
-
Step 3: Forget About It: Pretend that money never existed in the first place.
4. Make It Automatic (So You Don’t Even Think About It)
👉 In a Nutshell: Set it and forget it. Saving should happen without effort.
If you have to remember to save, you probably won’t.
Life gets busy, and your brain is already overloaded 🫠
The trick? Let technology do the heavy lifting.
Automatic transfers mean your savings grow while you’re binge-watching Netflix.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
-
Step 1: Log Into Your Bank: Find the “automatic transfers” section.
-
Step 2: Set Up a Weekly or Monthly Transfer: Pick a realistic amount.
-
Step 3: Let It Run: Savings will stack up while you live your life.
5. Cut One Expense (And Move That Money to Savings)
👉 In a Nutshell: Drop one unnecessary expense and save that amount instead.
You don’t have to cut everything. Just one thing.
Maybe it’s that overpriced coffee. Maybe it’s the random Target runs 😁
Pick something you kinda don’t need and redirect that cash.
No suffering, no stress. Just sneaky savings.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
-
Step 1: Identify One Cuttable Expense: Find one thing you can live without.
-
Step 2: Calculate the Monthly Savings: Multiply by 4 to see the real impact.
-
Step 3: Transfer That Amount: Move it straight to your emergency fund.
6. Turn Spare Change into an Emergency Fund
👉 In a Nutshell: Small amounts add up. Your loose change is money too.
Ever find $5 in your jeans and feel like you won the lottery?
Now imagine doing that on purpose 🙃
Apps like Qapital round up your spare money on your account and save the extra.
It’s painless. Like tipping your future self
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
-
Step 1: Sign Up for a Round-Up App: Qapital, Chime, or your bank’s version.
-
Step 2: Link Your Debit Card: Let it round up every purchase automatically.
-
Step 3: Forget It Exists: Watch your fund grow with zero effort.
7. Sell Something You Don’t Use and Stash the Cash
👉 In a Nutshell: You have money sitting around in things you don’t use.
That old iPhone? Cash.
Clothes you never wear? Cash.
Random stuff collecting dust? Cash.
Turn clutter into savings 😉 It’s like a two-for-one deal.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
-
Step 1: Pick Three Items: Find things you haven’t used in six months.
-
Step 2: List Them Online: Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Mercari.
-
Step 3: Transfer the Profit: Move every dollar straight into your fund.
8. A Side Hustle Might Be Your Best Friend
👉 In a Nutshell: A little extra cash makes saving way easier.
Saving is hard when there’s barely enough to cover rent.
Enter: The Side Hustle 😎
You don’t need a full-blown business. Just a few extra bucks.
A couple of hours a week can change the game.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
-
Step 1: Pick Something Simple: Freelancing, flipping, dog walking. Whatever works.
-
Step 2: Set a Small Goal: Aim for $50-$100 extra per month.
-
Step 3: Save 100% of It: Pretend you never earned it. Straight to savings.
9. Use Cash Windfalls Wisely (Without Regretting It Later)
👉 In a Nutshell: Don’t waste surprise money. Make it work for you.
Tax refund? Birthday money? That random Venmo payment from your friend?
Most people blow it on stuff they don’t remember 😅
You can still treat yourself. But save a chunk first.
You will be so grateful.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
-
Step 1: Split It in Half: Spend 50%, save 50%.
-
Step 2: Move It Immediately: Transfer the savings portion right away.
-
Step 3: Enjoy the Rest Guilt-Free: No stress, no regrets.
10. Challenge Yourself to a No-Spend Weekend
👉 In a Nutshell: Take a mini break from spending and watch your savings grow.
It’s wild how much money you save when you just stop buying things.
Skip the restaurants, Target runs, and impulse Amazon buys.
Make coffee at home, binge-watch a show, and chill 👌
It’s like pressing the reset button on your spending.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
-
Step 1: Pick a Weekend: Choose two days when you won’t spend a dime.
-
Step 2: Plan Free Activities: Walks, movies at home, cooking, whatever.
-
Step 3: Transfer the Savings: Move what you would have spent into your fund.
Your first $100 in savings is the hardest.
After that, it gets easier.
Every dollar saved is one step closer to freedom and peace of mind.
“Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” – Warren Buffett
🤜🤛 Dale! (See you!)