How To Save Money Quickly
Let’s get that bag
I happen to be one of the people who believe that money can buy happiness. Being depressed while you are in a café in Paris is not like being depressed when you are living with your parents. Money can make a big difference. Like her majesty, Ariana Grande once said “Whoever said money can’t solve your problems. Must not have had enough money to solve ‘em.”
Now, you might be wondering, how can I get the money I make to make a difference? It’s not easy but it’s doable. First, you need to have a job. If you don’t have a job, it’s better if you just stop reading and go on LinkedIn instead. Update your resumé and get a job then come back. You can’t save money when you have none to save in the first place. I tried for the entirety of 2020 to “save money” when in fact, I had no income.
1. Set up a plan
Once you have a monthly or weekly income, you can set up a plan to start saving. It might be easier to have a goal that you want to reach. For example, I want to buy a new laptop. I know how much it’s going to cost and I have that as my goal for my plan.
You also need to set up a deadline. For example, I want to get that laptop by the end of the year. That’s 5 months from now. I needed to set up a monthly goal. Monthly savings = Goal/5.
I have to save that certain amount each month. If I don’t, then I have to make up for it the following month.
2. Take money off your salary
You know that moment when you have just gotten paid and you rush to spend that money? Well, don’t do that. Instead, you can either wire or take out a certain amount from your salary. It can be 10% or it can be $10. It’s up to you. Put this money directly in your saving account/jar.
When you do this every month, your brain gets used to having that amount deducted and you won’t rely on it. It’s like lowering your salary.
3. Cancel useless subscriptions
Say goodbye to Netflix and Disney Plus. Paying for streaming services is nothing but a waste of money and time. There are other ways to watch your favorite shows for free (wink wink.)
4. Buy all necessities at once
What I like to do before I get paid, is set up a list of all the necessary things I need to buy and I buy them at once. When I go to the supermarket, I find myself buying unnecessary stuff and wasting more money. By going once a month, I limit the chances of me wasting money on cute socks and extra pens. I sometimes buy two months' worth of necessities to avoid going back to the supermarket.
5. Cut down on your fun activities
This works well for me as I rarely go out, to begin with. Yet, I still like to treat myself from time to time. If you like to go out, on the other hand, try to not do that lol. Try to lower how many times you go out with your friends and how much you spend. You can go out and not spend anything. For example, I like to go on long walks with my friends. I have fun, and it doesn’t cost me a cent.
6. Stop eating outside
Go to the supermarket and get some vegetables. Learn how to cook! When you make your own meals, you will feel more responsible, like an adult. I know it sounds tiring, but it’ll get easier over time.
Also, do you really think you can survive by eating stale pizza and overpriced burgers?
7. Make access to your savings difficult
This is the hardest thing about saving money. When you find yourself broké (fancy for broke) you turn to your savings for help. You end up ruining your plan and you’ll hate yourself for it later. So, hide that money from yourself.
You can ask a sibling or a parent to save the cash for you. You can set up a piggy bank. Or, you can keep it in your bank account. I thought about getting a new bank account that I would use just for my savings. I’m still debating whether it’s a good idea or not.
8. Get a side hustle
By getting a part-time job or a freelance gig, you have another source of income. You can set the money you make from it directly to your savings and you won’t rely on it to pay rent or groceries. This would also allow you to lower the amount you set up to save from your main salary.
For example, let’s say I have two jobs. I can choose one of the salaries I make to go straight to my savings and literally forget that it’s there. I have my other job to pay for my bills, rent, and other necessities. Do you get what I’m trying to say?
It will be hard to stick to a plan depending on how much you make and how much you spend. You will get lazy sometimes and that’s ok. What’s important is that you are trying.
Until next time, save some money.
