Hey, fellow savers!  Are you tired of feeling like saving money is a chore?  Think again!  Saving can be fun, rewarding, and even exciting!  Let’s explore ways to enjoy saving money and make it a positive habit.

Why Saving Matters 

Saving money provides financial security, freedom, and peace of mind.  It’s a way to take control of your finances and achieve your goals. By saving, you can:

– Build an emergency fund

– Pay off debt

– Invest in your future

– Achieve long-term goals

Make Saving a Game 

1. Set Goals : Define what you want to save for, whether it’s a short-term goal or a long-term dream. Write down your goals and make them specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

2. Create a Challenge : Set a savings target and challenge yourself to reach it. You can set a challenge to save a certain amount each month or week.

3. Track Your Progress : Monitor your savings growth using a spreadsheet, app, or journal. Seeing your progress can motivate you to continue saving.

Find the Fun in Saving 

1. Automate Your Savings : Set up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account. This way, you’ll ensure that you save a fixed amount regularly without having to think about it.

2. Use the 52-Week Savings Challenge : Save an amount equal to the number of the week. For example, in week one, save $1, and in week two, save $2. This challenge can help you save over $1,300 in a year.

3. Make It Visual : Use a savings jar (a plastic container  is good enough too) or visual tracker to see your progress. You can also use a savings app that displays your progress.

Tips for Enjoying Saving 

1. Use Cashback Apps: Earn rewards on everyday purchases using cashback apps like Rakuten, Ibotta, or Fetch Rewards (These are just examples, I’m not recommending any of these apps listed here, research before using them, please).

2. Implement a “Reverse Budget”: Prioritize saving and allocate funds towards goals. Start with your savings goal and work backward to determine your expenses.

3. Use the “Envelope System”: Divide expenses into categories and stick to your budget. Allocate cash for each category and place it in labeled envelopes.

4. Practice “Micro-Saving”: Set aside small amounts regularly, like $1 or $5. This habit can add up over time and help you build savings discipline.

5. Avoid “Lifestyle Inflation”: Direct excess funds toward savings and investments instead of increasing spending on luxuries.

6. Use Savings Apps with Penalties: Impose small penalties for withdrawals, helping you save by making it more difficult to access funds.

7. Create a “Savings Jar” for Specific Goals: Visualize progress and stay motivated by designating separate jars or accounts for specific goals.

Celebrate Your Wins 

1. Reward Yourself : Treat yourself to something special when you reach a savings milestone.

2. Share Your Success, OR… “Don’t” : Tell friends and family about your savings achievements if you know them “too well” and can bet your life trusting them, but if you can’t bet your life on them, “keep your mouth completely shut about your new savings habit and move only in silence”.

3. Reflect on Your Progress : Appreciate how far you’ve come and celebrate your progress.

What Not To Do With Saved Money

Some people make the mistake of piling up money forever without ever using them. Nope! You’ll never have the perfect life that way – not through savings, not through salary.

What To Do Instead?

Good question!
Once you’ve saved up your first $2000, start a business, or at least, invest in something worthwhile.
Yes, you must start a business or invest at least somewhere wise.
Don’t be afraid, that’s why as a disciple of jude.ng, there’s no way you won’t master independence and entrepreneurial spirit. I mean, there are enough courses on this platform to guide you through, you have no excuses.

Look, you must start a business, no matter how small, even if it’s just selling handcrafted items or simple baked cookies.

As a human, you need more than one source of income to stay afloat financially.

Your salary and savings are never enough. Your pension or gratuity is no where good enough either.

Why?

This is because “they’re all numbered sum”.

Just a little life encounter and every single penny you’ve saved will evaporate into thin air and you’ll even be in serious debt.

This is why I advise diversifying your income. This is even more important than only getting a good job which could be lost any moment, besides, the salary may not always be enough for some situations.

This is why I always encourage saving, but for the purpose of using it as added investment.

If you’re a disciple of Perfection.buzz, you must invest. Yes, you must invest wisely in different things which you can someday fall back on either when you lose your job, or when you’ve retired, or when for one reason or the other you need money desperately.

You Can Do It! 

Saving money can be enjoyable and rewarding.  By making it a game and celebrating your wins, you’ll be on your way to financial freedom.

What To Do When Your Earning Increases?

SAVE MORE!

If you earn more, save more.

Never ever get a credit card!

Only ever spend money out of pocket.

As a disciple of Perfection.buzz, remind yourself that credit card is a taboo at every point in your life, whether you’re rich or poor. It’s a decorated way of becoming a perpetual debtor.

Please, hate credit cards with passion.

As your investments pay off, don’t forget to lock up some cash in trusted savings that offer good turnover.

Yes, there’s a time to start living the good life, after all, we’re not on earth to starve ourselves. However, even when that time finally comes, always remember to continue to set aside some money to save.

This is one way to avoid ever going completely broke in life.

And yes, before I forget, as soon as you’re able to, get a permanent roof over your head. I mean, get a house of your own, that has only your name on it’s documents, no matter how small the house is.

This is because, if something ever goes wrong with your finances in the future, you won’t end up homeless and helpless.

As much as you can, make sure your house and car are fully paid, even if it means getting a smaller one. You don’t want to wake up one day and lose everything just because money became tight.

When you’re still not rich enough to get a fully paid house and car, rent an apart you can truly afford while still having a lot of money left, don’t go for the big deals when renting, no one is worth impressing, no one at all. As long as the neighbourhood is safe and the house is in good condition, then it’s a good choice. If a car is in good shape, then it’s a good choice. You have no business with big names and expensive lifestyle when you’re not ultra-wealthy and already own at least together one fully paid house, all your cars fully paid, several yielding investments, good amount of locked up savings, and you’re 100% debt-free (zero debt).

Okay! That’ll be all for now. 

Share Your Savings Tips! 

How do you make saving money enjoyable? Share your favourite tips and stories in the comments below! 

Happy saving!