Building a savings can be tough. I get it. Most of us are here just trying to survive. But there are ways you can start saving money, even if you are on a tight budget. Read 5 easy ways to build your savings, and start saving today.

Turn your savings into a bill

That’s right. Pay it just like you would any other bill. When you start doing this, it becomes habit. It doesn’t matter the amount you decide to start with. Just start somewhere.

Pay yourself first

When you get paid, transfer the money into your savings FIRST, before paying any of your other bills. Your mindset is probably to pay all your bills first, wait until the end of the month, and try to save money. The problem with that logic is that you’ll end up spending it on something else. You don’t realize how much the little spendings add up.

Make it automatic

Use your online banking resources to set up auto-deposits from your checking to your savings. Again, this can be as little as $50.00 a month. Just start somewhere.

List your monthly expenses in a spreadsheet

You’ll be amazed at the things that come out of your account every month. This makes it easy to see a pattern of spending and allow you to cut out any unnecessary expenses, making it easier to save. This was a huge one for me. I realized I was wasting money on so many things over and over, that I might as well have burned my money.

Use free online tools

There are many online resources that will assist you in establishing a budget and savings plan. Pigly is hands down my favorite tool. They offer a wide range of tools from savings, budgeting, retirement planning, mortgages, auto loans, personal loans, and so on, so their site will offer something relevant for just about everyone!

Some of my favorite tools they offer are their Savings Goal Calculator. This easy-to-use online calculator allows you to set your goal amount and your bank’s annual percentage rate to determine how long it will take you to reach your goal, along with how much you need to save per month. They also have interesting and useful tools, such as a Net Worth Calculator, Education Savings Calculator, and a sweet Budget Calculator. There’s many more awesome tools to help you reach your goals, so be sure to check them out, here!

No matter what your goals are, remember: start somewhere. It doesn’t matter how much you start out saving. Also remember that the saying “a penny saved is a penny earned” is real. Budgeting to save is important.

Set goals. Crush them.

#adulting