March 9, 2017 was when I posted part one. I have posted many other blog posts and podcast episodes since then on how to save but part one has been the most popular. Since then, I have tweaked a few things. While writing this post I went back and read that post, I see that I will have to revisit a thing or two. I hope that part two will be as short and to the point as the first.

A lot has changed in 4 years. Mostly everything is digital now. This could make it easier or harder for some people to save. No worries, I hope my suggestions will help you out. First things first,

• Open a savings account if you don’t have one already. Try to find an account that is high interest yielding (An account that will pay you a higher interest rate than a normal savings account for your money sitting in the bank).
• Do an evaluation of your finances so that you’ll know realistically how much you can potentially save. (Calculate your income minus your bills, to determine how much is left over)
• Set a goal. (Try to save $100 for the week, pay period or month)
• Try doing a money challenge to get your savings ball rolling. (i.e. 52 week money challenge or $5 challenge)
• Cut out unnecessary spending. (Take a break from coffee shops, fast food restaurants, shopping for a while)
• Search online for class action lawsuits that may have affected you or unclaimed funds from the Treasury dept. (Once you get the check, put it into your savings account)
• Fill out surveys or utilize cash back websites when shopping online. (They pay you for referrals also like Rakuten)
• Redeem your cash back points for cash from your credit cards. (7,000 points could equate $50-$70cash depending on the company)
• Transfer small amounts into your savings account randomly. (If your account has $443.76, transfer $3.76 or 43.76 into savings. Do that weekly or as often as you check your account.)
• Use coupons when shopping for necessities (Put the amount you saved into your savings account. If using coupons caused you to save $15.88, put that amount into savings).
• Put any change that’s laying around the house or in piggy banks/coke bottles (large amounts i.e. $50 worth) into the bank. (Cash them out at the coin machine and deposit the money into your savings account.)
• Sell old clothes and/or shoes to a consignment shop or online and use the money you made to add to your savings account.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for monetary gifts for special events instead of gifts. (This unexpected money goes into savings)
• Use the interest that you’ve earned on your savings account to achieve any additional money goals or to pay down debt.

Saving small is still saving. Don’t despise meager beginnings. These small gestures will create bigger gestures until saving is no longer foreign but a lifestyle for you. Check out my podcast, YouTube channel and other blog posts for even more savings tips.

Listen to the most recent podcast episode here!

Watch Dear Finances part 3 here. Featuring Eric Lewis from the IKG podcast.

Visit sincerelyangiem.com under the budget tab for all things money.