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The Ultimate Guide to Saving Money

Need to seriously stash some cash? Our guide to saving money will show you how to save money and safeguard your financial future

This blog aims to help you better understand how to save money and get ahead financially.

Please keep in mind that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions when it comes to money management, which is why this guide to saving money is provided for general purposes only.

If you would like to speak with a personal budgeting specialist about tailored ways to save money, please contact us to arrange a free, no-obligation discussion.

When you finish reading this blog, you will understand:

  1. Why having savings to fall back on is a vital component of how to save money
  2. How to create savings goals and a sustainable savings plan
  3. Strategies and tools to save more regularly and faster
  4. Money management habits that contribute to saving
  5. Ways to save money for an emergency fund quickly
  6. Whether to save or pay down debt

Should I have a savings account?

Most people are saving for something and nearly everybody would like to look at their bank account and see a higher cash balance. Yet nearly one-in-seven Australians, equivalent to 2.6 million people, have no cash reserves to fall back on.

It’s little wonder that so many Australians aren’t sure how to save money. Australia has one of the highest costs of living in the world and housing – an essential living expense – is especially costly. On average, rent or mortgage payments now make up around 50% of a household’s spending. Household debt is also at record levels.

Furthermore, changes to the aged pension mean that current and future generations of Australians can no longer rely on a government safety net to guarantee their comfort in retirement. Individuals are increasingly expected to save for their own retirement through superannuation and other investments.

So if you’re wondering “Should I have a savings account?” The answer is yes. Saving money in Australia is challenging but this also makes it especially important. But how do you develop a cash safety net when it feels like all your money is taken up by living expenses? This is an important question and one which we tackle in this guide to saving money. The information provided here is intended to show you how to save money regularly, as well as achieve lifelong financial fitness and relieve your money worries.

What does it mean to be financially fit?

Financial fitness can be defined in general terms as “having the money you need, when you need it” or “being able to afford the things you want”.

These definitions are a good start, but if your aim is to achieve financial fitness, it’s important to have a clear and exact picture of what financial fitness looks like.

There will always be expenses vying for your hard-earned income and trying to eat into your savings. The key is to develop ways to save money that are easy to upkeep and help you to become financially fit for life.

We define financial fitness as:

  • Saving regularly
  • Holding cash reserves equivalent to three or more months’ income
  • Having appropriate insurances to protect your assets, such as your car, health, home and contents
  • Housing costs that are affordable (as a general rule, no more than 30% of your take-home income)
  • High assets relative to debt (if you have zero assets, then zero debt)

Financial fitness can be improved over time

The good news is that financial fitness, just like physical fitness, can be improved little by little. Positive changes, no matter how small, will add up over time.

However, you won’t improve your strength very quickly by lifting weights once a month. The same is true when it comes to how to save money – it’s all about your daily money habits and choices. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are 7 habits of great savers.

White woman in her thirties smiling looking at the camera.

A budget is a workout plan for your money

A guide to saving money would be incomplete without mentioning the importance of a budget. You may know that the key to getting physically fit is to change your daily exercise and nutrition habits and to make conscious, healthy choices that are part of a deliberate fitness plan. The same is true for your money.

Creating a budget is like creating a workout plan for your money. A budget provides structure and discipline that guides healthy, financial habits and choices. It shows you the gaps in your finances and the ways to save money based on these. If you’re not sure where to start with a budget, here’s our complete guide to budgeting.

What are the risks of not knowing how to save money?

Those who live week-to-week without savings to fall back on are more financially vulnerable. When unexpected bills come up or their income is interrupted, people who don’t know how to save money are often reliant on credit cards or loans or the help of family and friends to make ends meet.

Because of this, they stand a greater risk of getting into debt and experiencing financial hardship.

The costs are not only financial. Financial stress can also impact health, relationships, work performance and life opportunities. (If you’re experiencing mortgage stress, take a look at this guide to see you out the other side.)

What are your saving goals?

One thing you’ll notice about people who know how to save money is that they avoid spending money unnecessarily. Have you got financial goals?

For instance, people who know how to save money may take their lunch to work instead of buying it or catch public transport to avoid paying for parking. This doesn’t mean that they’re miserly. On the contrary, many people are disciplined about how they spend their money so they can apply it to other priorities. They have goals and ways to save money that positively influence their daily money habits and choices.

Follow this guide to saving money by creating saving goals. This is a great way to help you stay focused, motivated and disciplined about how you use your money. In fact, having financial goals makes saving easier and fun.

Visualising your savings goals makes them easier to achieve. When you feel tempted to spend beyond your budget, your saving goals are a reminder of the fun and gratification awaiting you. You see a new outfit you like, but it feels less desirable compared to the overseas holiday you’re saving for. You’re tempted to buy new furniture but resist because you’re focused on saving for a house deposit. You skip Friday night drinks because you’d rather put that money towards a concert ticket.

When you combine goal setting with budgeting, you have the benefit of a clear target to aim for plus a detailed guide to saving money that isn’t confusing or overcomplicated!

Setting S.M.A.R.T. goals

S.M.A.R.T. goals are key to how to save money. They are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timebound. They describe the outcome of the goal and the actions needed to achieve it.

The impact of S.M.A.R.T. goals instead of vague goals is that you are committing yourself to a certain outcome and timeline, and can be sure of what you’ve achieved when that milestone comes. There’s a definitive success that can be celebrated!

S.M.A.R.T. saving goal example:

“I am saving $100 from each pay into my savings account to build up my emergency fund. By 31 December this year, my goal is to have $2,600 saved. By 31 December next year, my goal is to have $5,200.”

Practical tips and ways to save money

Are you at your wit’s end knowing how to save money because your savings keep getting eaten up by unexpected expenses? Or you run out of money before payday?

It’s not uncommon for people to find it difficult to pay their bills, let alone have spare money for saving.

The key to taking control of your financial situation is creating a budget. A budget is the cornerstone of money management and the only way to properly take control of your finances.

With a budget in place, you can see your exact financial position and future outlook at a glance. All your bills, expenses, savings and goals are mapped out in front of you.

As you make changes to your budget, you see your short and long-term projections change before your eyes.

How to save money tip #1: Create a budget

One of the best ways to save money is to create a budget. A long-range, detailed budget will take into account all of your income, bills and expenses for the next 12 months. As well as including your weekly living expenses (groceries, rent or mortgage payments, petrol etc), a detailed budget will also factor in your monthly, quarterly and annual expenses, such as school fees, car registration, council rates, birthdays and Christmas, and set aside extra funds for those unexpected expenses (vet bills, repairs etc.) that will inevitably come up.

Budgeting can provide deep insights into your finances and reveal ways to save money. Further, once you have a budget in place, there are fewer surprises, which makes it easier to save regularly.

The savings you set aside may start out small, but over time they’ll grow into a cash safety net for emergencies or go towards special projects or events, such as a holiday, home deposit or renovations.

White man in his thirties looking at an ipad

How to save money tip #2: Tried budgeting before and it didn’t work?

If this isn’t the first guide to saving money you’ve read, you might be getting your budget wrong. The budgets people create for themselves are often short-term (pay-to-pay or month-to-month) or manual, which can make the budget difficult to manage. A good budget will be long-range, detailed and automated.

For help with budgeting, contact us for a free, no-obligation budget consultation. We’ll help you create a customised budget plan that’s yours to keep for free.​

How to save money tip #3: Open a dedicated saving account

One of the best ways to save money is to never let it touch your pocket — or wallet or purse or everyday bank account!

Open a dedicated bank account for your savings so that your cash reserves are kept separate from the money you use for your living expenses and bills. The harder it is to access the account, the better. Keep the access card in a safe place that’s not your wallet or purse.

Enjoy watching your savings grow! The balance may start out small, but your savings will add up over time. When you have a few thousand dollars saved, transfer the balance into a term deposit that attracts a higher rate of interest.

White woman in her thirties in a conference room smiling at clients.

How to save money tip #4: Automate your savings

Now that you know the answer to ‘Should I have a savings account’ is a resounding YES, it’s time to set up an automatic transfer so that a portion of every pay you receive is deposited directly into your dedicated savings account. The payroll administrator at your work can set up the disbursement for you or you can schedule the transfer to occur automatically between your accounts.

The ultimate trick to knowing how to save money? Separate your savings from your spending money before you see it. This trick plays on the fact that most people adjust their lifestyles to suit their income. The term “lifestyle inflation” describes when a person spends more in response to earning more. Likewise, it’s described as “lifestyle adjustment” when a person adjusts their spending to a lower income. The good news is that lifestyle adjustments are often minor and unnoticeable, such as eating at home more often.

Fingers typing on a keyboard

How to save money tip #5: The less you spend, the more you can save

A common misconception is that you need a high income to be able to save. This is not true. A high income can certainly help with accumulating savings, but it’s no guarantee.

In fact, high earners are often high spenders. The symbols of wealth associated with high incomes (big house, luxury car, designer clothes etc.) are no assurance that the person who possesses them has any savings in the bank.

For the majority of people, their ways to save money are more affected by how much they spend than how much they earn. The less you spend, the more you can save. If you’re finding it hard to save regularly, this statement is a simple, but powerful reminder that saving challenges usually stem from spending habits.

Create a cash safety net quickly or emergency fund

An emergency fund is super important to your financial safety. Could you find an extra $100 to save this month? How about this week? Could you save an extra $2,000 towards your cash safety net this year?

How to save money and create a cash safety net quickly:

  • Declutter your home and generate spare cash by selling stuff you no longer need
  • Commit your tax return to your savings safety net
  • Base this week’s meal plan on food from your freezer and pantry
  • Earn extra “pocket money” with a hobby job (eg. lawn mowing, dog walking)
  • Take on a second job—it doesn’t have to be forever; just until you create a cash reserve

Other ways to save money

As well as exploring quick ways to save money and increase your cash reserves, it pays to review all of your spending habits.

A guide to saving money would be remiss without mentioning expenses. Reducing your household expenses is a great way to free up money for saving and to achieve your financial goals faster. And many people are surprised to discover that there’s spare cash hiding in their budget right now.

Your expenses can be divided into two categories: essential and discretionary:

Essential living expenses describe costs associated with items you can’t live without — for example, housing, transport to and from work, groceries, utilities and medicine.

Discretionary expenses describe your non-essential spending, such as buying new clothes or eating out.

How to save money by reducing your living expenses:

  • Mortgage: Now is a great time to compare rates between lenders and look for a cheaper home loan.
  • Housing: Do you have a spare room in your home? A lodger or roommate can be a great way to reduce your share of household costs while generating extra income.
  • Insurances: Review your insurance costs annually. An insurance broker can ease the legwork and help ensure you’re comparing similar coverage and policies.
  • Utilities: Use an online utility aggregator service to check you’re getting the cheapest utility power price.
  • Groceries: Meal planning is a powerful way to reduce your spend on food and household supplies. Try shopping online, plan your meals around supermarket catalogue specials, and check your local butchers and greengrocers for discount deals.
  • Transport: Could you reduce your transport costs by riding or busing to school or work? How about carpooling?

Little expenses can chew into your savings

Make sure your guide to saving money includes “little” expenses. People are often shocked to learn that a large portion of their income is spent on unnecessary, discretionary items that add up to thousands of dollars a year.

Here are some examples of cost reductions that can make a considerable difference over a year:

  • Entertainment – cut back $15/week and save $780/year
  • Store-bought coffee – cut back $20/week and save $1,040/year
  • Alcohol – cut back $30/week and save $1,560/year
  • Eating out – cut back $40/week and save $2,080/year

Save or pay off debt?

Your guide to saving money must also take into account any debt you’re paying off. Given that interest earnings on savings accounts are generally lower than interest charges on loans, it makes sound financial sense to use any spare cash to pay off debts before you start saving.

Especially in the case of credit cards, personal lines of credit and other debts with high-interest rates — pay these down as quickly as possible to minimise the amount of interest you are charged overtime.

the ultimate guide to saving money

That being said, one of the most common causes of financial stress is credit card overuse due to having no savings to fall back on. Once you pay off your credit card debt, it’s important to commit to creating a saving safety net to break your reliance on credit cards once and for all.

Mortgage debt generally comes with comparatively lower interest rates, but exposes you to interest charges over a long period of time, often up to 30 years. So, again, it’s important to pay down your mortgage as quickly as possible to reduce your interest costs. A mortgage offset account or redraw facility is a powerful way to create a savings safety net while reducing your loan balance and exposure to mortgage interest. With a mortgage offset account, your savings balance is deducted from your loan balance and your mortgage interest payment is calculated on the net amount. You have the added flexibility of being able to withdraw your savings as you need them.

Case study: how to save money and support your family

Hannah and Sam were a double-income couple with two young children. They were careful with their money, yet still found it difficult to get ahead.

Like a lot of couples, they were paying down a mortgage, trying to save for renovations and wanting to enjoy life, such as take the kids on holidays. Every time they saved up a few thousand dollars, an unexpected expense or forgotten bill would come up.

They would often disagree over money or argue about their financial priorities until a friend suggested that taking control of their finances could possibly help their marriage.

Once they started budgeting, the grumpy money discussions disappeared. Sam and Hannah had a clear plan in place that mapped out their income and expenses, revealed areas where they were spending more than they needed to and showed exactly what they could achieve with their money.

Instead of arguing about how to save money, they now enjoy talking about ways to achieve their financial goals faster. In two years, as well as saving enough to start their renovations, they’ve also bought a campervan for weekends away with the kids.

Need more ways to save money or have more questions about how to save money? Give us a call on 1300 300 922 or enquire online.

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This article has been prepared for information purposes only, and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information in this article you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.