Young casually clothed man bringing salad to his working pregnant wife, she is sitting on the sofa and using laptop

Money Tips & Education

6 ways to budget and save more money

Dec 05, 2023

Rebecca-Lake.jpg

Written by

James-Heflin.jpg

Reviewed by

Key takeaways:

  • Focusing on needs over wants can be challenging, but it’ll help you get ahead.

  • Saving money can be fun if you get creative with it. 

  • Using a budgeting app can make it easier to track your budget and progress.

Your budget can be your best friend. A budget helps you afford the things that really matter to you. It's your ticket to a more relaxed and sustainable financial life. 

Insider secret: you might even find that saving is fun. Seeing money pile up in your bank account is just so… satisfying. 

Check out these budgeting tips that can help make saving easier.

1. Set clear savings goals

Saving money just to save is kind of boring if we're being honest. Saving with specific goals in mind, on the other hand, can really motivate you to stack up those dollars and cents. 

What should you save for? Everyone's financial goals are different, but your list might include:

  • Building an emergency fund

  • Buying new furniture 

  • Taking a vacation

  • Paying for your kids' education

Think about what you want to save for and how much you'll need to reach your goal. Set deadlines so that you can get a sense for how much you need to save each week or month. 

Leave debt behind, so you can move forward

Get rid of your debt and free up your cash flow without a loan or great credit.

2. Prioritize needs over wants

Knowing the difference between needs and wants is important so you won't get into hot water when you're budgeting and saving. One of the keys to a good budget is covering your needs first, and then looking to see how much you have left for wants. 

Needs are things you have to spend money on to maintain your basic standard of living. That includes things like housing, groceries, water, and electricity. You could also throw in transportation or childcare here if you need those things to work and bring in a paycheck. 

Wants are things that are nice to have, but not essential. Restaurants and paid housecleaners land in the wants category. The same goes for entertainment and travel. 

If you're looking for places in your budget to save, here's a simple rule: spend money on what you need first, then think about what you want. 

3. Find fun ways to save

If you're struggling to get into the savings habit, turn it into a game. 

Try a challenge to test your saving skills. There are lots of money challenges that can help you save and have some fun while you're doing it. 

In a spare change savings challenge, you round up all your debit card purchases to the next dollar, and transfer the rounded-up amount to a savings account. An app can help you do it automatically. 

Or you can try a 52-week challenge to save your goal amount in weekly chunks over one year. 

Making savings feel like a game can hold your interest and energize you to set bigger goals. 

4. Cut unnecessary expenses

Your budget is your roadmap for spending, and it's a good idea to review it regularly. You might be spending on things you don't need (and honestly aren't all that important to you) when you could be saving that money instead.

What are some things you can cut back on in your budget?

It really depends on your situation, but the list might include:

  • Streaming subscriptions you're not using

  • Recurring memberships for services you don't use (like the gym)

  • Dining out or entertainment

  • Impulse buys

Going over your budget line by line can help you find the hidden money-wasters. And you can also think about ways to reduce expenses you can't get rid of entirely. It all adds up.

For example, downgrading your cell phone or internet plan could save you a few bucks. Shopping around for car insurance could trim your budget a little if you find lower premiums with a different carrier. 

Related: What is the 50/30/20 rule?

5. Use savings tools and apps

People aren't born knowing how to budget. We all have to learn. If you have a hard time keeping up with your budget or savings goals on paper or in a spreadsheet, let an app do the heavy lifting for you. 

The Achieve MoLO app, for example, is a free money management tool that connects to your financial accounts. With MoLO, you can:

  • Sync checking accounts, savings accounts, and credit card accounts

  • Track expenses in one place

  • Categorize spending

  • Challenge yourself to save

It's a hassle-free way to get focused on budgeting and saving so you can improve your financial life. 

6. Celebrate small wins

Saving is more of a marathon than a sprint most of the time. It takes a lot longer to save than to spend. So every time you do it, pat yourself on the back. Celebrate small wins as they happen. Did you leave $20 in the bank instead of having dinner out? Notice that. Let yourself feel the satisfaction of a didn’t-spend every time it happens.

Wins don’t have to be tied to a number, either. Saving $1,000 in a new emergency fund is pretty big, but taking the first step to open a savings account (or switch to a better account) is just as important if you've been putting it off.

By putting the spotlight on what you've accomplished, no matter how small it seems, you can motivate yourself to keep working toward your goals. Remember that in the long run, consistency and perseverance can pay off.

What's next

  • Sign up for the MoLO app and connect your bank accounts and credit card accounts to track your spending. 

  • Consider setting up direct deposit (if you have that option), and automatically send a portion of every paycheck to a high-yield savings account. 

  • If you don't have financial goals yet, brainstorm one to three ideas for things you'd like to do with your money. It could be anything from a new phone to the ability to stop working one day.

Schedule a date on your calendar to review your budget and look for unnecessary expenses you might be able to cut.

Author Information

Rebecca-Lake.jpg

Written by

Rebecca is a senior contributing writer and debt expert. She's a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a banking expert for Forbes Advisor. In addition to writing for online publications, Rebecca owns a personal finance website dedicated to teaching women how to take control of their money.

James-Heflin.jpg

Reviewed by

James is a financial editor for Achieve. He has been an editor for The Ascent (The Motley Fool) and was the arts editor at The Valley Advocate newspaper in Western Massachusetts for many years. He holds an MFA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an MA from Hollins University. His book Krakatoa Picnic came out in 2017.

Related Articles

GettyImages-1383518918.jpg

Money Tips & Education

Some credit checks affect your score, but others don’t, even from the same lender. We’ll explain when and why credit checks can affect your credit.

credit-utilization.jpg

Money Tips & Education

Myth-busting: you don’t need to carry a credit card balance to have good credit! Learn how credit utilization affects credit scores.

what-is-a-personal-budget.jpg

Money Tips & Education

Ready to take control of your money? Learn what a budget can do for you and how to make one.

Achieve Logomark

Achieve is the leader in digital personal finance, built to help everyday people move forward on the path to a better financial future.

Footer Trust Pilot Marker

TrustScore 4.8/5

Footer BBB Marker

.

Personal loans are available through our affiliate Achieve Personal Loans (NMLS ID #227977), originated by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey State Chartered Commercial Bank and may not be available in all states. All loan and rate terms are subject to eligibility restrictions, application review, credit score, loan amount, loan term, lender approval, credit usage and history. Loans are not available to residents of all states. Minimum loan amounts vary due to state specific legal restrictions. Loan amounts generally range from $5,000 to $50,000, vary by state and are offered based on meeting underwriting conditions and loan purpose. APRs range from 8.99 to 35.99% and include applicable origination fees that vary from 1.99% to 6.99%. The origination fee is deducted from the loan proceeds. Repayment periods range from 24 to 60 months. Example loan: four-year $20,000 loan with an origination fee of 6.99%, a rate of 15.49% and corresponding APR of 19.54%, would have an estimated monthly payment of $561.60 and a total cost of $26,956.80. To qualify for a 8.99% APR loan, a borrower will need excellent credit, a loan amount less than $12,000.00, and a term of 24 months. Adding a co-borrower with sufficient income; using at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the loan proceeds to pay off qualifying existing debt directly; or showing proof of sufficient retirement savings, could help you also qualify for lower rates. Funding time periods are estimates and can vary for each loan request. Same day decisions assume a completed application with all required supporting documentation submitted early enough on a day that our offices are open. Achieve Personal Loans hours are Monday-Friday 6am-8pm MST, and Saturday-Sunday 7am-4pm MST.

Home Equity loans are available through our affiliate Achieve Loans (NMLS ID #1810501), Equal Housing Lender. All loan and rate terms are subject to eligibility restrictions, application review, credit score, loan amount, loan term, lender approval, and credit usage and history. Home loans are a line of credit. Loans are not available to residents of all states and available loan terms/fees may vary by state where offered. Line amounts are between 15,000 and $150,000 and are assigned based on debt to income and loan to value. Example: average HELOC is $57,150 with an APR of 12.75% and estimated monthly payment of $951 for a 15-year loan. Minimum 640 credit score applies to debt consolidation requests, minimum 670 applies to cash out requests. Other conditions apply. Fixed rate APRs range from 8.75% - 15.00% and are assigned based on credit worthiness, combined loan to value, lien position and automatic payment enrollment (autopay enrollment is not a condition of loan approval). 10 and 15 year terms available. Both terms have a 5 year draw period. Payments are fully amortized during each period and determined on the outstanding principal balance each month. Closing fees range from $750 to $6,685, depending on line amount and state law requirements and generally include origination (2.5% of line amount minus fees) and underwriting ($725) fees if allowed by law. Property must be owner-occupied and combined loan to value may not exceed 80%, including the new loan request. Property insurance is required as a condition of the loan and flood insurance may be required if the subject property is located in a flood zone. You must pledge your home as collateral and could lose your home if you fail to repay. Contact Achieve Loans for further details.

Affiliated Business Arrangement Disclosure: Achieve.com (NMLS #138464) and Achieve Loans are both wholly owned subsidiaries of Achieve Company. Because of this relationship, your referral to Achieve Loans may provide Achieve.com a financial or other benefit. Where permitted by applicable state law, Achieve Loans charges: 1) an origination fee of 2.50%, and 2) an underwriting fee of $725. You are NOT required to use Achieve Loans for a home equity line of credit. Please click here for the full Affiliated Business Arrangement disclosure form.

Resolution is available through our affiliate Achieve Resolution (NMLS ID # 1248929). All estimates for Achieve Resolution’s services are based on prior results, which will vary depending on your specific enrolled creditors and your individual program terms. Not all Achieve Resolution clients are able to complete their program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Achieve Resolution does not guarantee that your debts will be resolved for a specific amount or percentage or within a specific period of time. Achieve Resolution does not assume your debts, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Achieve Resolution’s services are not available in all states, including New Jersey, and their fees may vary from state to state. Please contact a tax professional to discuss potential tax consequences of less than full balance debt resolution. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment. The use of Achieve Resolution services will likely adversely affect your creditworthiness, may result in you being subject to collections or being sued by creditors or collectors and may increase the outstanding balances of your enrolled accounts due to the accrual of fees and interest. However, negotiated settlements Achieve Resolution obtained on your behalf resolve the entire account, including all accrued fees and interest. C.P.D. Reg. No. T.S.12-03825.

© 2024 Achieve.com. All rights reserved. NMLS #138464