Are you thinking of buying a new home? Are you worried about your financial future? When you start saving money, it can be hard to know which steps to take for the most impact. Thankfully, a few minor changes and some mindfulness can make a big difference in the size of your savings account. Here are some easy ways to grow your savings account.
Create a Budget
Do you know exactly how much you spend on food each month? What about clothing? The amount of money spent on anything can quickly spiral out of control when you don’t keep an eye on it. When creating your budget, be truthful and honest with yourself about your spending habits.
First, total your income for all sources, whether earned income or disability income insurance. Then, track your spending and make a plan. It’s also helpful to set a savings goal for each month. When you first start your budget, you’ll likely find that you need to adjust your spending habits. You might find that you’re spending $400 a month on groceries when you want to only spend $200. Continue to monitor your spending each month and make adjustments as necessary.Â
Be a Mindful Shopper
When you’re saving money and living on a budget, you should no longer mindlessly throw things into your cart. Doing so is a quick way to spend a lot more money than you need to be. The best way to avoid overbuying is to stay out of the store as much as possible. The more you go to the store, the more you’re going to buy.
Another way to be a mindful shopper is to only shop with a list of what you need. If you come across something not on the list that you want, put it on the top part of your cart and give yourself a few minutes to consider it. Ask yourself if you actually need it or you just want it and if you will be just fine without it. You’ll likely find that more often than not, you don’t end up buying it.
