10 Savings Strategies | Virginia Credit Union (2024)

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10 Savings Strategies | Virginia Credit Union (1)

Building a savings account can be tough. In a world of instant gratification, it’s easy to lose sight of our long-term goals. You might be just getting started and looking to build an emergency fund. Or, perhaps you’re looking to adjust your habits to save for a down payment, vacation, or retirement. Whatever your goals, here are 10 strategies to help you grow your savings and keep at it.

  1. Pay yourself first.Treat your savings like a bill. By setting a fixed amount aside, either monthly or each pay period, you’ll be surprised at how fast your savings can grow over time.
  2. Make savings automatic.Using direct deposit automations or payroll deductions can help put the concept of paying yourself into action. By automating your savings, you’ll minimize the chances of other expenses cutting into your savings goal.
  3. Pay installments to yourself.After you pay off a loan, like a car loan, continue to make “payments” by putting that amount in your savings account.
  4. Collect loose change.Collect your spare change at the end of every week. Deposit it in a savings account every month. Don’t carry much cash or change? Consider enrolling in an automatic savings program, like Change Jar. Through this free program, we’ll automatically round up each debit card purchase to the nearest dollar, putting the change in your savings. Learn more here.
  5. Manage credit wisely.If you can, charge only what you know you can pay off the next month. Pay credit card bills in full each month whenever possible so you don’t add interest charges to the cost of an item. Have a balance? Try to pay more than your minimum payment to retire that debt more quickly and save on high interest down the road.
  6. Track your spending.Have you ever looked at your account balance and wondered where your money went? If you’re having trouble making space for savings in your budget, tracking can be the key to spending awareness. Use an app, or try handwriting your spending in a notebook for a week. By tuning into our day-to-day spending, you can find room to align our habits with your goals.
  7. Consider ways to cut costs.Making a few cost-saving adjustments can save you big bucks down the road. Reducing money spent on eating out, creating shopping lists, or breaking costly habits are just a few ways to cut everyday costs.
  8. Make a plan for lump sums.Get a bonus? Tax refund? Consider earmarking these for an instant boost to your savings. If that’s hard to swallow, try the 80/20 rule – 80 percent goes to savings and 20 percent is for fun. Deciding your plan for the cash before it hits your account will help you stick to it.
  9. Don't leave money on the table.Once you’ve invested into your savings be sure to not leave your dividends behind. Take advantage of higher-yield savings accounts such as money markets or savings certificates and watch your money grow.
  10. Maintain you lifestyle.As our earnings grow over time, it’s tempting to let our lifestyle become more extravagant as our paychecks. Avoid lifestyle creep by maintaining your expenses and pocketing your next bump in salary.

Whichever strategies appeal to you, the key is to start now! Don’t know where to start? Watch Get Smart About Saving to define your short- and long-term savings goals and dive into working toward them.

Savings services from VACU can help you prepare for your long-term plans — or an unexpected expense.

Learn more about saving services

10 Savings Strategies | Virginia Credit Union (2)

Sabrina G.

To Sabrina, being financially confident starts with having the right skills and tools to make smart financial decisions. With almost seven years of financial education experience, Sabrina is passionate about enriching the lives in her community and giving people the support they need to reach their financial goals. A creative at heart, in her free time, Sabrina loves spending time with her family and fur baby, as well as volunteering and serving on the SPCS Alumni Association Board at the University of Richmond.

Other stories by Sabrina G.

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10 Savings Strategies | Virginia Credit Union (2024)

FAQs

10 Savings Strategies | Virginia Credit Union? ›

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 long should the money in your emergency fund cover? ›

While the size of your emergency fund will vary depending on your lifestyle, monthly costs, income, and dependents, the rule of thumb is to put away at least three to six months' worth of expenses.

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's the best account to save money? ›

If you are looking for a low-risk way to save money over a long period of time, high yield savings accounts may be a good option for you. Banks that offer online savings accounts tend to have higher rates for a better return on your deposited funds, as long as you can follow any minimum balance and monthly fee rules.

What is the 9o day rule? ›

In other words, staying more than 90 days on one stay, then leaving the country and returning, resets the “90-day clock.” To avoid breaking the 90-day rule, an applicant must wait 90 days since their most recent entry to the United States before marrying or seeking to adjust their status..

What is the 3 month rule? ›

The 3-month rule can be thought of as a rule, test, or even "probationary period" for dating that suggests waiting three months before deciding whether to commit to a person. And given all we know about the initial stages of dating, it's pretty solid advice.

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 savings should I have at 50? ›

By age 50, you'll want to have around six times your salary saved. If you're behind on saving in your 40s and 50s, aim to pay down your debt to free up funds each month. Also, be sure to take advantage of retirement plans and high-interest savings accounts.

Is $5,000 enough for emergency fund? ›

Saving $5,000 in an emergency fund can be enough for some people, but it is unlikely sufficient for a family. The amount you need in your emergency fund depends on your unique financial situation.

Can you live on $1000 a month after bills? ›

But it is possible to live well even on a small amount of money. Surviving on $1,000 a month requires careful budgeting, prioritizing essential expenses, and finding ways to save money. Cutting down on housing costs by sharing living spaces or finding affordable options is crucial.

Is $4000 a good savings? ›

Ready to talk to an expert? Are you approaching 30? How much money do you have saved? According to CNN Money, someone between the ages of 25 and 30, who makes around $40,000 a year, should have at least $4,000 saved.

What strategy will help you save the most money? ›

The 5 Most Effective Strategies To Save Money For The Future
  • Set Your Goals Early On. Setting a financial goal early on will boost you to stick to your savings plan. ...
  • Understand Your Cash Flows. ...
  • Open a Savings Account. ...
  • Rethink Debit Cards. ...
  • Monitoring Your Spending. ...
  • Revise Your Emergency Fund.

What is better than putting money in a savings account? ›

Money market accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs) may provide higher yields. Peer-to-peer lending is another alternative to savings accounts. Credit union bank accounts may provide higher rates than bank accounts, but you must be a member to open one.

Where is the safest place to keep cash at home? ›

Where to safely keep cash at home. Just like any other piece of paper, cash can get lost, wet or burned. Consider buying a fireproof and waterproof safe for your home. It's also useful for storing other valuables in your home such as jewelry and important personal documents.

Where can I get 7% interest on my money? ›

Why Trust Us? As of June 2024, no banks are offering 7% interest rates on savings accounts. Two credit unions have high-interest checking accounts: Landmark Credit Union Premium Checking with 7.50% APY and OnPath Credit Union High Yield Checking with 7.00% APY.

How does the 30 day rule work? ›

The so-called 30-day no contact rule is a different category because people tend to think that there's this magic number of days to where your ex is ready for you to contact them and that's sort of what it's suggesting, that if you just wait 30 days then you can contact your ex.

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.

What is the 30 day rule for capital gains tax? ›

1) Use or lose the annual CGT allowance

If you do this within 30 days, then you would be deemed to have bought it back at the original cost and not realised any gains. This tax avoidance rule is sometimes known as the 'bed and breakfast' rule.

What is 30days rule? ›

Here's how it works: When you have the urge to make an impulse purchase, wait for 30 days and give yourself time to think about it. While considering the purchase, deposit the money you need for it into a savings account. If you still want to buy that item after the 30-day period is up, go for it.

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