The ability to save money is the cornerstone of building wealth. In order to save money, you need to spend less than you earn. This is often easier said than done, but there are plenty of ways to help you begin saving money on even the tightest budget.
1. The Importance of an Emergency Fund
The first, and probably most important savings goal should be building up an emergency fund. We can't always predict what life has in store for us, so it is best to be prepared for the unexpected with some emergency savings set aside.
2. Where to Keep Your Savings
Once you've decided to save some money, how do you know where you should keep it? From savings accounts to certificates of deposit, find out what's right for you.
3. Make Saving Automatic
With so many bills, expenses, and day-to-day expenses to take care of, saving money can seem nearly impossible. One of the best ways to get into the habit of saving money is to create an automatic savings plan.
4. The Difference Between APR and APY
When you're saving money, one of the things you want to consider is how much interest it is earning. Your money should be working for you. Two of the most common terms that are used to discuss interest rates are APR and APY. APR simply reflects the annual interest rate that is paid on an investment, but doesn’t take into effect how interest is applied. APY takes into account how often the interest is applied to the balance, which can range anywhere from daily to annually.
5. Cut Spending Leaks
Even if you are saving money, you can always find ways to save more. Sometimes it is simply the little things that add up. Find out what your spending leaks are and learn how to trim those expenses so you can save even more money.
