Save Money – Saving money—it’s one of those things that sounds so easy when you say it out loud but is actually a whole lot harder in practice. I used to be terrible at it. Like, I’d get paid, all excited about my paycheck, and then a week later, I’d wonder where it all went. I’d blame bills, or the new shirt I bought on a whim, or maybe just bad luck. But the truth is, I was really bad at managing my spending, and I didn’t have a system in place. After a few too many stressful weeks of being broke, I decided I needed to do something about it.
So, let’s talk about how to save money fast. I’ve learned a few simple but super effective tricks over the years that actually work—no fancy budgeting apps required. If you’re looking to stash away some cash quickly (and with minimal effort), these tips should be a game-changer.
How to Save Money Fast: 6 Simple Tips for Big Results
1. Track Every Penny (No, Seriously)
Okay, this one might sound like the most annoying advice ever, but hear me out. Tracking my spending was the absolute first step to saving money fast. I’m not talking about obsessively calculating every single cent all day long, but you’d be amazed at how much you spend mindlessly—on things like those $5 coffees or random snacks while running errands.
One month, I decided to really pay attention to where my money was going. I used a simple notebook (old school, I know) to jot down anything I spent. By the end of the month, I was shocked. There were a lot of small purchases that added up to big amounts—like delivery food (don’t judge me, it was convenient), extra little shopping trips, and those impulse buys online. Just being aware of where my money was disappearing helped me cut back in areas I didn’t even realize were a problem.
Tip: Download a free app or keep a small diary to write down everything you buy for a week or two. It’s eye-opening and helps you spot the areas where you can make adjustments.
2. Cut Out the Small, Regular Subscriptions
Subscriptions are sneaky. They don’t seem like a big deal, right? It’s just $10 here or $15 there for things you think you need—Netflix, Spotify, some meal planning app, maybe that workout app that promises you’ll be “summer body ready.” And yeah, it’s not much individually, but when you add them up, it can be hundreds of dollars a month.
I realized that I was paying for subscriptions I barely used. I hadn’t watched Netflix in a month but was still shelling out $12.99. My gym subscription? I could probably count the number of times I’d gone in the past few months on one hand (yikes). The best thing I did was cancel the subscriptions I didn’t need and kept the ones I used regularly. Within a couple of weeks, I saved $50 a month, and I didn’t miss any of those services.
Tip: Go through your bank statements and cancel anything you don’t use frequently. You’ll be amazed at how much those small monthly charges add up!
3. Set Up Automatic Transfers to Your Savings
I’ll admit it—I used to be awful at saving because I always thought, “I’ll save if there’s money left at the end of the month.” Spoiler alert: there’s never money left at the end of the month. I realized that if I really wanted to save money fast, I had to pay myself first. So, I set up an automatic transfer from my checking account to my savings account every payday. It wasn’t a huge amount, maybe just $50 or $100, but the fact that I didn’t have to think about it made a massive difference.
Because the transfer was automatic, I never “missed” the money. After a few months, I looked at my savings account and realized I had saved hundreds without any effort at all. The best part? It didn’t feel like I was sacrificing anything. It just happened.
Tip: If you can, set up an automatic transfer the day after you get paid, even if it’s a small amount. Over time, that money adds up.
4. Stop Impulse Buying—Set a 24-Hour Rule
If you’re like me, you’ve probably fallen victim to impulse buying. You know the drill—scrolling through social media, see a cute pair of shoes, and next thing you know, you’re clicking “purchase” before you’ve even thought it through. Or maybe you’re in a store, and that fancy kitchen gadget looks way too useful to pass up.
Here’s the trick I use: the 24-hour rule. Before I make any non-essential purchase, I force myself to wait 24 hours. If I still want the item after a day, then I’ll buy it. But 9 times out of 10, I completely forget about it by the next day, and that helps me avoid impulse purchases. It’s kind of like a little trick to talk myself out of buying things I don’t really need.
Tip: Practice the 24-hour rule before making any purchases that aren’t an absolute necessity. Trust me, it works.
5. Find Cheaper Alternatives for Everyday Expenses
Once I started looking at my spending, I noticed how many things I was paying for that I didn’t have to. Take my grocery shopping, for example. I realized I was always grabbing the most expensive items without even thinking. Now, I stick to store brands for most things—cereal, pasta, frozen veggies—and I swear they taste just as good as the name-brand stuff.
I also started looking for more affordable alternatives for other regular expenses. Take my phone plan, for instance—I switched to a less expensive plan that still gave me all the data I needed. Same goes for my gym membership, which I swapped for cheaper workout apps I could use at home.
Tip: Look for cheaper alternatives for things you buy regularly. You’d be surprised how much you can save just by switching brands or looking for deals.
6. Build an Emergency Fund—Start Small but Start Now
One of the best ways to save money fast is to have an emergency fund ready for those unexpected costs that pop up. I know, it sounds daunting. Where do you even start? The trick is to just start. Even if it’s only $20 a week, put that money aside. Before you know it, you’ll have a buffer for things like car repairs or medical bills, and you won’t have to scramble to come up with the cash.
For me, having that emergency fund gave me a huge sense of relief. No more worrying when my car broke down or when the plumbing in the kitchen went out. And over time, it grew into a nice little safety net that I could rely on.
Tip: Start small, but start today. It doesn’t take a lot to begin building your emergency fund, and it’ll pay off big time when life throws a curveball your way.
Wrapping Up
Saving money fast isn’t about making huge sacrifices or giving up everything you enjoy. It’s about being smarter with your spending and setting yourself up for success. By tracking your expenses, cutting back on subscriptions, automating your savings, and avoiding impulse buys, you’ll see your savings grow faster than you might think. The key is to start now and make it a habit. It won’t happen overnight, but with a little effort, you’ll be on your way to having a much more comfortable financial future.
