How to save money every month (2024)

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Here’s how you could boost your financial future by taking small steps to save more each month.

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Peter Stephens

Having held various senior management positions in the manufacturing sector, Peter founded his own manufacturing company in 1996. This was subsequently sold in 2007. Meanwhile, his passion for investing (which began during the privatisations of the 1980s) remains strong and he couples this with writing for The Motley Fool as a Contractor. His investment style is value-oriented; focusing on company fundamentals, as well as assessing the strength and presence of a competitive advantage. While above-average growth prospects remain very attractive, a greater focus on dividends has crept in since Peter became a part-time retiree in 2007.

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Finding it hard to save money every month? Fortunately, saving money is becoming easier. There are now a number of cashback and comparison sites (including MyWalletHero) that can help consumers to find the best deals on a range of goods and services.

Improving technology is also making it easier to save money each month — without consumers necessarily realising it. Direct debits and mobile apps, for example, automate the saving process, and may reduce the temptation to spend.

Of course, individuals will need to live within their means in order to save money each month, while having a goal such as a deposit for a house may make the process easier.

With that in mind, here are my top tips on how to save money on a regular basis.

Have an end goal

Having a goal, such as saving for a new car or the deposit on a new home, can help to increase the motivation to save money each month. Knowing that you will be rewarded when you’ve reached your target may help you gradually find new and innovative ways to reduce your monthly spending.

Alongside living within your means and utilising technology, having a strong desire to save can make the process easier. Although spending money may continue to be exciting, saving can become increasingly fun over time – especially if the amounts saved are eventually used to fund important items such as a car or house in the long run.

Live within your means

Anyone looking to save money each money must first live within their means. Thanks to cashback sites and comparison sites, doing so is becoming easier.

For example, TopCashback offers the potential to earn a payout for simply purchasing the goods or services that you might normally buy, from phone contracts to energy deals, and from clothing to holidays. Although it can take a significant period of time to receive the cashback, and it is not guaranteed, over time it can cut your costs.

Likewise, comparison sites make it easier to find the best deals on a range of products. Comparing prices could save significant sums of money in interest payments on existing debt, while you may also be able to find the cheapest insurance and energy deals. Since such costs can be relatively high on an annual basis, even small percentage savings could add up over the long run.

Use technology to save

Improving technology is making it easier to savemoney. For example, anyone who finds it difficult to resist the temptation to spend all of their salary each month may benefit from setting up a standing order to transfer a set amount of money from their current account to a savings account on payday. Even if that current account is emptyat the end of the month, there will still be a growing savings account balance.

Similarly, using mobile apps such as Moneybox could be worthwhile. This app rounds up spending on a debit card to the nearest £1, with the ‘loose change’ automatically being invested in a specific stock market fund.

Another mobile app, Chip, calculates what an individual can afford to save each month using artificial intelligence. Chip could be useful if your monthly income or expenditure fluctuate and you therefore find it difficult to save the same amount each month.

Verdict

Saving money can become simpler and easier if you have a definite goal. Doing so may make it easier to live within your means, while the use of technology could make the process less time-consuming and more fun. Saving may even become more appealing than spending, and could improve your long-term financial future.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.Tax treatment depends on your individual circ*mstances and may be subject to future change. The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice.

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How to save money every month (2024)

FAQs

How to save money every month? ›

For many people, the 50/30/20 rule is a great way to split up monthly income. This budgeting rule states that you should allocate 50 percent of your monthly income for essentials (such as housing, groceries and gas), 30 percent for wants and 20 percent for savings.

How much money should you save every month? ›

For many people, the 50/30/20 rule is a great way to split up monthly income. This budgeting rule states that you should allocate 50 percent of your monthly income for essentials (such as housing, groceries and gas), 30 percent for wants and 20 percent for savings.

How to save $1,000 in 30 days? ›

11 Easy Ways to Save $1,000 in 30 Days
  1. Create a Budget. ...
  2. Automate Your Savings. ...
  3. Create a Savings Bingo Sheet. ...
  4. Negotiate Your Bills. ...
  5. Separate Wants From Needs. ...
  6. Plan Your Meals. ...
  7. Buy Generic Brands. ...
  8. Cancel Unnecessary Subscriptions.
Sep 26, 2023

What is the 30 day rule? ›

The premise of the 30-day savings rule is straightforward: When faced with the temptation of an impulse purchase, wait 30 days before committing to the buy. During this time, take the opportunity to evaluate the necessity and impact of the purchase on your overall financial goals.

How can I save the most money monthly? ›

How to Save Money: 23 Tips
  1. Make a budget.
  2. Say goodbye to debt.
  3. Set a savings goal.
  4. Save money automatically.
  5. Buy generic.
  6. Meal plan.
  7. Cancel some subscriptions and memberships.
  8. Adjust your tax withholdings.
Apr 5, 2024

Is saving $500 a month a lot? ›

Saving $500 a month is an excellent starting point. Yes, it's ambitious, but it's achievable and will set you up financially over time.

Is 500 a month a lot to save? ›

Saving £500 each month is a great goal if you can manage it. Over the course of a year, you would save £6,000, which could be used for things like emergency funds, retirement savings, or big purchases like a house or car.

What if I save $20 dollars a day? ›

Setting aside $20 a day could help you save $1 million for retirement—if you start early. Saving $1 million or more for retirement may seem like an intimidating goal, but the process doesn't have to feel overwhelming.

How can I save $100000 fast? ›

7 tips for getting your first $100,000
  1. Figure out how much money you can safely save each month. ...
  2. Automate your savings. ...
  3. Maximize your employer-sponsored savings and investment accounts. ...
  4. Save your tax refunds and work bonuses. ...
  5. Pay off existing debt. ...
  6. Seek a raise or some other way to increase your income.

How can I save $5000 with the 52 week money challenge? ›

Here are a few more ways to save $5,000 by the end of 2023:
  1. Save $96.16 every week.
  2. Save $192.31 every two weeks.
  3. Save $416.67 every month.
  4. Save $1,250 every quarter.
  5. Save $2,500 every six months.
Jan 5, 2023

How to save with little income? ›

SHARE:
  1. Focus on small changes in various budget categories.
  2. Automate your savings into a high-yield savings account.
  3. Earn interest on your checking account.
  4. Use those three-payday months to save more.
  5. Keep a budget.
  6. Shop around for insurance rates.
  7. Refinance your mortgage.
  8. Find a way to save on rent.
Oct 19, 2023

How do you start saving money? ›

5 simple steps to start saving
  1. Set one specific goal. Rather than socking away money into a savings account, set specific goals for your savings. ...
  2. Budget for savings. Just because you decide to save doesn't mean it's going to happen. ...
  3. Make saving automatic. ...
  4. Keep separate accounts. ...
  5. Monitor & watch it grow.

What is the 3 month rule? ›

The three month dating rule is a trial period that allows couples to shift from the honeymoon phase of dating to an integrated love phase. "What I mean by that is usually a few months into dating, we start to see some of the quirks, or maybe we start to notice things that we find annoying or irritating," Pharaon says.

How to aggressively save money? ›

Tips for Building an Aggressive Savings Plan
  1. Paying Yourself First. ...
  2. Getting Out of Debt. ...
  3. Tracking All of Your Spending. ...
  4. Utilizing a Budgeting Method. ...
  5. Cutting Down Expenses. ...
  6. Opening a High-Yield Savings Account. ...
  7. Starting a Side Hustle. ...
  8. Avoiding Eating Out at Restaurants.
Sep 21, 2022

How much is $1 dollar a day for a year? ›

The answer to that question depends on interest rates or rates of return. With no interest involved, putting one dollar a day into a bank account (or a jar at home) will see you end up with $365 in a year. Multiply that amount by 30 years and you'll end up with $10,950.

How to get out of living paycheck? ›

7 Steps to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck
  1. Start by Creating a Budget. If you don't already have a budget, now is the perfect time to create one! ...
  2. Cut Expenses and Increase Income. ...
  3. Build an Emergency Fund. ...
  4. Stop Accruing Debt. ...
  5. Open a High-Yield Savings Account. ...
  6. Join a Credit Union. ...
  7. Use Free Financial Wellness Resources.

How much should 1 person save per month? ›

Source: NerdWallet survey conducted online March 30-April 3, 2023, by The Harris Poll among 2,035 U.S. adults. Savers say they typically set aside $985, on average, in a normal month, according to the survey. The median amount reported is $250.

Is $1,000 a month a good amount to save? ›

Absolutely. Saving £1,000 a month in the UK is a wise financial decision that can have a positive impact on your financial well-being.

How much does the average person save in a month? ›

The data shows the average person shelled out about $6,080 a month, meaning, for three months' worth of expenses, they should save at least $18,240, according to McBride's recommendation.

Is saving $1000 a month good? ›

Saving $1,000 per month can be a good sign, as it means you're setting aside money for emergencies and long-term goals. However, if you're ignoring high-interest debt to meet your savings goals, you might want to switch gears and focus on paying off debt first.

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