Did you know that the World Savings Day on 29. October to 96. For the first time in 27 countries? For nearly 100 years, people have been saving their money to fulfill their long-term dreams. You don’t put anything aside yet? Don’t worry: It’s hard to get started! With my simple money saving tips you will learn to save money sustainably and quickly. Promised!
There are many reasons to save money. Whether it’s your dream vacation in your favorite country, the fear of poverty in old age, or the education of your children: life costs money. If you use your money wisely and save, you get more out of it. But I know myself, all beginning is difficult. My very first salary I have hit on the head. Finally money, finally money for all my wishes. Save money, what for? But at some point I was annoyed when my account was long empty, but the month was still long.
But how only save? I dealt with the topic of saving and looked for small savings potentials – and above all goals – in everyday life. Today I save with reason, but without sacrifice. How I managed it? This is what I tell you with my tips& Tricks.
Step 1: Get an overview
My most important – and perhaps most essential – tip for saving money: Get an overview of your income and expenses. What sounds terribly boring, however, is indispensable. Because only those who know what they take in can also better understand how much they can spend. For example, I now manage all my insurance policies via the ERGO customer portal. Here’s where I keep track of my monthly or annual contributions at all times.
Tip: Get one of the many budgeting apps on your smartphone and immediately note down every little expense in it.
Step 2: Identify savings potential
I went through all my expenses and went through them step by step. "How important is this expense to me?", I asked myself with each amount. And: "What can I do without?" Similar to cleaning out my closet, I went about it very strategically. Of course, you can’t cross rent, electricity costs and grocery shopping off your list. Meal deliveries and the quick coffee-to-go, however, maybe already? I sorted through my list to get a quick overview of what things I want to save on in the future.
My Tip: Make a list and divide it into "important", "I need" and "I can do without". That way, you’ll get an idea right away which purchases are close to your heart and which ones you want to avoid in the future.
How much should you save each month?
Basically: Every cent counts. But experts advise the 50-30-20 rule. Means:
- 50 percent of income may be spent on all fixed expenses.
- 30 percent is available for all the good things in life, i.e. hobbies, going out, going to restaurants or going on vacation.
- 20 percent of your income should be set aside and saved.
Step 3: Cancel unused subscriptions and contracts
What do you really use in everyday life?? With this question in mind, you should look at all the subscriptions and contracts that accumulate over the years. Online or offline: Streaming services, the gym or the monthly magazine subscription cost. Are you really using them?
Step 4: Check insurances
After the budget book I took a look at my insurances. What insurance do I have? Do I still need an important? And what do I pay for it every month? It’s worth taking a look at your insurance portfolio or customer portal. Because rates change, a change can also be attractive from a financial perspective – especially in the fall with car insurance.
Step 5: Tax return made?
From the insurance it goes directly to the tax return. As annoying as the annual declaration at the tax office may be, those who take on the stress can save a lot of money. Because even on small incomes, it pays to do your tax return every year. Most of the time you get something back. Did you know that you can do your tax return up to five years later? So what are you waiting for?
How to save on grocery shopping?
It can also help to set a weekly shopping limit that you won’t exceed.
A time-honored tip: always look down. Supermarkets often hide the cheap products in the lower shelf. Customers don’t like to bend over as much and prefer to reach for the more expensive products at eye level.
So if you want to save money, look down. And: never go shopping hungry. You always buy more than you need when your stomach tells you so.
Step 6: Find a new way of handling money
The theory is usually easy, but the practice is the big challenge. If you’ve gotten an overview of your finances, you already have a good foundation for saving. Only: At the implementation it hapert then nevertheless. I know what I’m talking about. Knowing that the coffee-to-go isn’t mandatory is one thing. Breaking out of the routine and not buying a morning coffee at your favorite cafe on the way to work, the other. What helps? Manage your money hard. Budget your monthly expenses clearly and try not to spend more than that.
My tip: In the first month, it can help to withdraw the money from the bank and sort it into envelopes by category. This is a much better way to keep track of what you spend it on – and how quickly it’s gone.
Here’s how to budget your money in categories
It makes sense to divide your expenses into categories to get a better overview of your spending:
- Category Life
Here down fall all expenditures to rent, electricity, insurance, cell phone costs and other fixed costs. If possible, these costs should not exceed 50% of your net income. - Category Food
Your budget for your food expenses. But this means only the purchases in the supermarket or beverage market. - Food category
The third category includes all expenses for restaurant visits in the evening, lunch with colleagues or a quick coffee on the go. - Category Sport& Free time
This category includes all your expenses related to sports& Leisure. You do a hobby with monthly expenses? In with it. You love to go out in the evening? Put it in. Your hobby is reading books? Get in there. - Category clothing& Shopping
Thanks to online stores and discount codes, shopping is easier and cheaper than ever before. Yet we all own far too much clothing. To get a better overview of whether you are spending too much on fashion, set a fixed budget for shopping. - Category Vehicles
Here you collect all expenses around the car& Co. Whether it’s insurance, fuel or repairs: set yourself a fixed budget that includes money for emergencies in the long term. - Fun category& Vacation
Here comes your favorite budget: money for all the things that are fun and good for you. If you don’t spend it, save it – because the next vacation is waiting for you. - Saving category
In this category comes all the rest of the money. This budget is saved, put aside for the short term, invested for the long term. Experts advise: At least 10%, better 20% of your net income should be left over and saved.
Step 7: Build a nest egg and set aside reserves
You have an eye on your finances, you know where you can save and little by little your account is filling up. Before you invest smartly or work out savings plans, however, you should build up a nest egg. A nest egg is what you put aside for a rainy day. Be it an illness, a job loss, the broken washing machine or other necessary large purchases. Such a nest egg calms you down and makes you sleep better. Your reserves should be about two or three net monthly salaries. This money sits in your account and is only touched in case of emergency. My tip: If you take something from your savings, replenish it as soon as possible.
Step 8: Invest the money you have saved
Once you’ve built up your nest egg, it’s time to invest. Here you decide how you want to invest your money. Read up on the subject of investing and get advice from experts. Are you more of a security type? Then bet on a savings account or low-risk investments or. Investing. If you’re braver, invest in the stock market. Whether you want to let your money grow in your account, invest in ETFs or stocks, save for a fund or take out life insurance is ultimately your own personal decision.
By the way: Did you know that you can also invest your money in investment funds for old-age provision at ERGO?? The great thing is that you are not only building your wealth for the long term, but you are also investing in sustainable funds. Get informed now!
How to save for children?
Step 9: Do not forget about life
As important as saving money is, you should not forget about life. Always save within your means. This means: save a little, but don’t save for the sake of saving. If a spontaneous trip pops up, or you want to fulfill your heart’s desire: Do it – as long as your account allows it. Because life happens in the now. Your happiness is worth more than any bulging bank account.
#FinanceSimplyExplained
If you’re interested in finances, check out our #FinanzenEinfachErklart series now. We would like to introduce you to the world of finance little by little throughout the year. We explain to you how to handle your money smartly and which investment possibilities there are. So that you can make the right decision for yourself. The first post was about the basics for your personal finances.
I hope my tips and tricks will help you keep track of your finances and help you save money. You have more ideas? Then write them very happy in the comments!