Saving solutions 101: The beginner’s guide to saving money (2024)

A strong savings strategy is a cornerstone of any financial plan. When you know how to save, you can build an emergency fund, set aside money for planned purchases and enjoy financial independence.

Whether you are looking to save your first $1,000 or are saving up for a house or a car, understanding the basics of saving is vital to achieving financial independence.

Start your savings strategy with a plan and a goal

It’s important to have a reliable place to store your hard-earned money. But before opening a savings account, you should think about what your goals are. Are you wanting to set money aside for a rainy day? Or do you want to save up for something big, like a vacation, house or education? Once you have a goal in sight and a clear direction of how you want to prioritize your money, you can set a savings strategy that works for you.

How much can you (should you) save?

Once you’ve decided to start saving, the next step is to analyze your income and expenses to understand how much you can reasonably stash away each month. A common adage is “pay yourself first,” which means to allocate your monthly savings before you start paying monthly expenses.

The 50/30/20 rule is a good starting point for many new savers:

  • Allocate 50% of your income to essential expenses
    • Rent/mortgage, groceries, debt payments, car payments, utilities, etc.
  • Allocate 30% of your income for stuff you want to purchase
    • Clothing, entertainment, travel, etc.
  • Allocate 20% of your income for saving
    • Savings account, money market, time deposit, etc.
    • Setting up automatic transfers to a savings account around the time of your payday is one tip for “paying yourself first’

Once you’ve used the 50/30/20 rule to establish savings habits, consider adjusting the percentages based on your custom financial goals. Or, research alternate savings strategies to find the right one for the long term.

Understanding savings accounts

A savings account is the foundation of creating a strong financial plan. You should plan to use this account as a place to deposit money to save for as long as you want – but not to regularly withdraw for expenses. Many banks have rules on savings accounts that limit the number of withdrawals and transfers. Plan to use your savings account as a place to deposit and hold onto funds. You can use this account as a place to house an emergency fund and to save up money for other planned purchases.

Saving solutions 101: The beginner’s guide to saving money (1)

What to know about money markets

Once you have built up reserves in your savings account, or if you are using your account for short-term savings goals, you should consider elevating your savings strategy with money market accounts. This account type offers a lower-risk way to earn interest on your money, which can help you save more money in a shorter amount of time.

Money market accounts are like savings accounts with some key differences. Money markets can offer the potential for higher interest rates (which can help you grow funds over time) as well as higher required balance minimums. Money markets also allow you to more quickly and easily access your funds because they often come with debit cards and checks, similar to a checking account. Take note, however, that money markets also often have monthly withdrawal limits.

Tapping into time deposit accounts

Time deposit accounts (also known as certificates of deposit/CDs) are a type of savings account that allows you to deposit a specific amount of money for a specific amount of time. While time deposit accounts usually pay a higher rate of interest, your money is locked in for longer and it’s therefore less accessible in the event you need it. In fact, some time deposit accounts charge penalties for early withdrawal, so carefully weigh the pros and cons in your savings strategy.

Saving solutions 101: The beginner’s guide to saving money (2024)

FAQs

Saving solutions 101: The beginner’s guide to saving money? ›

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.

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 to learn to save money for beginners? ›

7 steps to start saving money: A comprehensive guide to saving, budgeting, and investing for a better financial future
  1. Understand your income and expenses. ...
  2. Reduce your expenses. ...
  3. Increase your income. ...
  4. Automate your savings. ...
  5. Manage your debt. ...
  6. Build an emergency fund. ...
  7. Invest in your future.

How to save 20k in a year? ›

Best Ways to Save $20k in One Year
  1. Create a Budget. ...
  2. Start an Emergency Fund. ...
  3. Share a Car. ...
  4. Find Better Insurance Rates. ...
  5. Open a High Yield Savings Account. ...
  6. Automate Your Savings. ...
  7. Avoid Lifestyle Creep. ...
  8. Eliminate (Unused) Recurring Expenses.
Jun 2, 2024

What are the 5 steps in savings? ›

5 simple steps to start saving
  • Set one specific goal. ...
  • Budget for savings. ...
  • Make saving automatic. ...
  • Keep separate accounts. ...
  • Monitor & watch it grow. ...
  • 5 Common Budget Busters (and how to combat them)
  • 3 easy steps to organize your finances.

What is the 50/30/20 rule? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

What is the 9o day rule? ›

According to the 90-day rule, a foreign national who engages in conduct inconsistent with their nonimmigrant status within a 90 day period of entering the U.S. may become inadmissible for the green card or even permanently barred from entering the US.

What is the trick to saving money? ›

Set Savings Goals

One of the best ways to save money is by visualizing what you are saving for. If you need motivation, set saving targets along with a timeline to make it easier to save.

How to save $1,000 in 6 months? ›

How to save $1,000 in six months
  1. Open a savings account. What's the value in putting your emergency fund in a savings account? ...
  2. Automate. ...
  3. Cut back. ...
  4. Cut out. ...
  5. Don't give up. ...
  6. Work both ends of your budget.
Dec 11, 2015

How to save 10k in 3 months? ›

03. Seven steps to save $10,000 in 3 months
  1. Evaluate your current financial situation. ...
  2. Get your debt under control. ...
  3. Set a realistic goal. ...
  4. Try fasting from unnecessary spending for 30 days. ...
  5. Get creative with your living situation. ...
  6. Make extra money with a side hustle or freelance gig. ...
  7. Invest in yourself.
Jun 20, 2023

How much will I have if I save $20 a day for a year? ›

Saving just 10 dollars a day would mean $3,650 more each year to invest in your future. Saving 20 dollars a day adds up to about $600 a month or $7,300 each year!

Is $20,000 a lot of money? ›

Meanwhile, you might have a fairly large savings balance to the tune of $20,000. That's definitely a lot of money. And in some cases, that might constitute a really robust emergency fund. But in some situations, a $20,000 emergency fund might also leave you short.

Can you live off $20,000 dollars a year? ›

You will need to learn how to budget, however. Living on less than $20,000 a year is not easy, but it is not incredibly difficult either if you take proactive steps to save. You won't have all the toys and clothes of people in a higher tax bracket, but you can live on an income under $20,000 a year.

What is the golden rule of saving money? ›

Golden Rule #1: Don't spend more than you earn

If you always spend less than you earn, your finances will always be in good shape. Understand the difference between needs and wants, live within your income, and don't take on any unnecessary debt.

What is the first thing you should do with your savings? ›

Put extra cash into your emergency fund.

An emergency fund is important for anyone who wants a financially stable future, because you never know when you might need to cover an unexpected household or medical expense. The general guideline is to accumulate three to six months' worth of household expenses.

What is the 7 rule for savings? ›

The seven percent savings rule provides a simple yet powerful guideline—save seven percent of your gross income before any taxes or other deductions come out of your paycheck. Saving at this level can help you make continuous progress towards your financial goals through the inevitable ups and downs of life.

How does the 30 day rule work? ›

For those uninitiated, the 30-day no contact rule is generally peddled as a technique involving ignoring your ex for about 30 days to get them to miss you more, and then reaching out with some canned line or message. It's a common hoax dumpees fall for.

What is the 30 day rule money? ›

The 30 day rule is simple. When you feel the urge to spend money on a 'want' you have to put the amount you'd spend on it into a savings account. Then you wait 30 days. At the end of this period, if you still want to buy the item, you can.

What is the 30 day wash rule? ›

Q: How does the wash sale rule work? If you sell a security at a loss and buy the same or a substantially identical security within 30 calendar days before or after the sale, you won't be able to take a loss for that security on your current-year tax return.

How soon can you rebuy a stock after selling it? ›

Designed to prevent abuse, it disallows tax deductions if you repurchase similar securities within 30 days. To maintain tax benefits, refrain from purchasing identical securities 30 days before or after a sale or adjust by selling again later.

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