7 Little Hacks to Saving a Bucket Full

A year ago the financial industry bemoaned the fact that Americans had a -1% in savings. Today I saw on CNBC two talking heads speak about how we shouldn't be saving (we are up to 1-2%) and should be spending money. Well phooey, I think saving money is good in any economy. However, saving money can be hard if it isn't a habit you are used to, so I have gathered some simple ways to save money by "tricking yourself" into saving it. It's kind of like setting your alarm clock 5 minutes ahead.

Round-Up: I was doing this long before Bank of America had their "Keep the Change" program. When I buy something from the store and it comes to 4.34, I swipe my debit card, but write down in the check book record that I spent 5.00. By rounding up to the next dollar I end the month with easily an extra 10-30 dollars depending on how often I go out and buy for that month. Then that hidden money can be transferred to savings

Scrape off the Top: If you have direct deposit this is easier, but it can be done if you cash your paychecks as well. Have the bank or yourself, scrape off the first $25 or $50 (or whatever amount) into a savings account immediately before you spend your money on anything else.

Don't Keep "Found" Money: For every rebate check you get back, for every IRS refund or bonus that you weren't expecting; don't spend it. Bank it for your saving account and save for an emergency. You weren't figuring that money into your income anyway, so don't keep it around to be spent.

Bill Yourself: For all the time you take being the accountant in your life, it is time to start billing yourself. You do this by making your savings account a bill every month as payment for your 'services'. This bill will be the first to pay each pay period, because if you don't, next pay period you will have to pay double! And you don't want to have to send a collection agency after yourself [wink]

Cover it up: I have noticed that I dip into the glass "loose change" jar for money more often than I do with the tin container. Why? I'm sure some psychology major can explain the thinking better than I, but I think it is because I can see the money in the glass jar and can't in the tin container. I have read of people who hid money out of sight and then forgot about it until their children or the new home buyers find it. Out of sight, out of mind.

Old Hobbies, New Habits: If you collected model cars or comic books or bought books and have now lost interest or cut back drastically, then put that money towards your savings. I used to buy about 26.00 a week in comic books when I was a late teen and young twenty year old. That is over 1350.00 a year that could have gone for a decent savings, since I got bored with the hobby, I sold off all the comic books and now I have nothing from that money spent. (see also The Two Dollar Savings Plan)

Bad Habits, New Savings: The above hack can also be used for the time that comes when you drop a bad habit. If you went out and spent $30 a night on drinks at the club but don't go now or if you used to buy two cartons of smokes a week and now you are down to one, use that extra money to improve your savings. Same money spent, just better returns.