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I want to save money - but it's boring!

I want to save money - but it's boring!

Spending is fun. You get stuff, you go places, you have a good time. Saving is boring. You don’t buy stuff, you delay gratification, and you make sensible decisions. Yawn. But you need to save if you want to achieve your financial goals. How can you be more motivated?

12 August 2024

First, have a goal. Use it to drive smarter spending choices. It’s easier to get up in the morning and make lunch if you can remind yourself that you’re effectively putting money into a Fiji fund. Maybe your goal is retiring early, or a new car, or getting rid of your student loan. Keep your goal in mind with a photo on your lockscreen, office desk or fridge.

Tell everyone you’re in saving mode. Unless you have very fancy friends, you’ll find other people are also trying to spend less. At least some of your friends should be on board for low-cost activities, and they can be your allies.

Make it automatic. Most banks have automated options to help you save, like rounding up transactions and sending the difference to a savings account. You can automate some of your pay to go into savings the same day it arrives, so you don’t miss it. There are also goal-setting and savings apps that can help you track your progress.

Follow savings experts online. YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and other platforms all have excellent financial advice. Follow reputable creators for tips on saving, and to help you stay motivated.

Finally, reward yourself. Regular rewards along the way make it seem less painful to save. Set some milestones and treat yourself when you reach them.

Informed Investor's content comes from sources that Informed Investor magazine considers accurate, but we do not guarantee its accuracy. Charts in Informed Investor are visually indicative, not exact. The content of Informed Investor is intended as general information only, and you use it at your own risk.

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