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Saving money is a common goal. Who doesn’t want more cash available to cushion their budget, pay off debt, or save for a future dream like a trip to Italy or an early retirement?

Saving money is important for many reasons. It can allow you to pay for things outright rather than running up high-interest credit card debt. It can offer peace of mind, when you know you have enough put away to navigate rough times. And having more money can give you more options.

Saving money doesn’t have to mean living so frugally that there’s never a fancy coffee or weekend getaway in your foreseeable future. In truth, saving money can be fairly painless if you’re smart about it.

Read on to learn some clever, simple strategies for how to save money each month.

1. Tracking Your Weekly Spending

Looking at your spending on a weekly basis can feel more manageable than trying to keep track of a month’s worth of spending at a time.

That’s not to say that you shouldn’t budget on a monthly basis, but breaking your timeline into smaller segments can simplify the process.

You can track spending (including every cash/debit/credit card transaction and every bill you pay) by using an app, jotting down every purchase, or collecting all of your receipts and writing it all down later.

You might then set a certain day to look over the week’s spending. This can be an enlightening exercise. Because spending can be so frictionless these days, many of us don’t have a real sense of how much we are actually shelling out on a day-to-day basis.

Just seeing it all laid out in black and white can immediately make you think twice before you buy something nonessential and inspire you to become more intentional with every dollar.

💡 Quick Tip: Tired of paying pointless bank fees? When you open a bank account online you often avoid excess charges.

2. Creating a Simple Budget

Once you’ve mastered tracking your cash flow, and have a good idea as to your spending habits, you may want to take it one step further and set up a simple budget.

A budget is nothing more than setting limits for spending in different categories. To get started, you’ll want to list all of your monthly expenses, grouping them into categories, such as groceries, rent, utilities, clothing, etc.

If your goal is to save some money every month, you’re going to want to set a budget for yourself that includes an allocation to saving.

Next, tally up all of the income you’re taking home each month (after taxes), and see how your monthly spending and monthly income compare.

If spending (including putting some money towards savings) exceeds income, the next step is to look at all your expenses, find places where you can cut back on spending, and then give yourself some spending parameters to stick to each week.

3. Automating Savings

If you do nothing else to get yourself on the savings path, consider doing this.

Automating savings is a great way to remove a huge barrier to saving — forgetting to put that money aside, then ultimately spending it.

The reality is, we all live busy lives, and while we may have every intention of stashing away cash, there are many reasons why it’s hard to save money. Saving often doesn’t happen without a plan.

Automating is an easy way to save money without ever having to think about it.

The idea is to have money moved from a checking account and into a savings account on the same day each month, perhaps soon after your paycheck is deposited.

This way, the money is whisked from the checking account before it can be spent elsewhere.

If you are new to automating or have an irregular income, it’s okay to start with smaller dollar amounts. Likely, you won’t even notice that the money is gone from your account, and you’ll be able to increase the amount of money over time.

You can set up automatic transfers to your savings, retirement, and other investing accounts.

4. Planning Your Groceries

Here’s another easy way to save money: Spend less on groceries by making a meal plan and a shopping list before you go to the store.

Without a list, you may be tempted to buy things that look good but that you don’t need or can’t use. Plus, you may end up having to go back to the store later, where you may be tempted to buy more things.

You don’t have to be a pro at meal-planning. It can be as simple as picking a few recipes that you want to make throughout the week (making large enough portions to provide for leftovers is another way to save).

You can then write a list of the ingredients that you’ll need, making sure to check your cabinets and use what you have first. Doing so is a life skill that can save you money.

You may also want to list exactly what snacks and/or desserts you plan to buy, so you’re not overly tempted once you get to the chips or cookies aisle.

Another way to save money on groceries is to cut back on pricier items, such as meat and alcohol, and to go with store or generic brands whenever possible. With tactics like these, you could be saving money daily.

5. Negotiating Your Bills

Some of those recurring bills (such as cable, car insurance, and cell phone) aren’t carved in stone.

Sometimes you can get a lower rate just by calling up and asking, particularly if the provider is in a competitive market.

Before calling, you may want to do a little research and know exactly what you are getting, how much you are paying, and what the competition is charging. You may also want to get competing quotes.

Even a small reduction in a monthly bill can save significant cash by the end of the year.

If you are experiencing hardship, you may also be able to negotiate down your electric and/or other utility bills by calling and explaining your circumstances. It never hurts to ask. The same holds true with doctor’s charges: You may be able to negotiate medical bills as well.

6. Actively Paying Down Credit Cards

This might sound more like spending than saving, but if you’re currently only paying the minimum on your credit cards, a big chunk of your payment is likely going towards interest. Chipping away at the principal can feel like a tall mountain to climb.

If possible, consider putting more than the minimum payment towards your bill each month. The faster those credit cards are paid off, the faster you can reallocate money that was going to interest into savings.

Can’t seem to make a dent in your credit card debt? You might want to look into a zero-interest balance transfer offer, using a lower-interest personal loan to pay off the debt, or finding a debt reduction plan.

7. Canceling Subscriptions

It can be all-too easy for money to leak out of your account due to sneaky subscriptions.

From unused gym memberships to shopping subscription programs, subscription bills (even small ones) can rack up quickly because they come every single month without fail.

The first step is to cancel any subscriptions that no longer serve you. Try to be honest with yourself: Are you likely to start going to the gym? Could you work out at home instead?

If you’re looking to save money faster, you might consider making a sacrifice on a subscription that you do enjoy. For example, maybe you pay for Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. Is it possible to use just one or two, instead of three? That could be a good way to save on streaming services.

8. Renewing Your Library Card

If you’re a reader and love books, one creative way to save money is to dig out your library card, or if you don’t have one, stop in to apply for a card.

The library can be a great resource for more than books. For example, you can often access magazines, newspapers, DVDs, music, as well as free passes to local museums.

These days, you can typically get many of the benefits of being a cardholder without ever actually going to a branch. You can often get audio books and e-books, as well as access to online publications and online entertainment all from your computer or phone. Cost: Zero.

9. Shopping for Quality

Buying well-made, durable items instead of cheap, trendy, or single-use items may mean spending a little more up front.

But this can be a shrewd money move that can save you a bundle over the long run because you won’t have to repeatedly make the same purchases.

Buying a few classic, well-made pieces of clothing you will wear for a few years, for example, can end up costing less than picking up eight or 10 cheaper, trendier items that you’ll end up replacing next year.

It may also pay off to spend a little more for appliances that are known for being reliable and lasting a long time and have great customer reviews, than buying the cheapest option.

Shopping for quality takes some education and practice, but it can be a worthwhile skill that your wallet will appreciate.

10. Pressing Pause on Big Purchases

Making impulse purchases can wreck a budget. That’s why if you’re tempted to buy an expensive item that is more of a “want” than a “need,” you may want to give yourself some breathing room, and allow the initial rush to wear off.

For example, you might tell yourself that you’ll wait 30 days and if, after the waiting period is over, you still want the item, you can get it then.

During that time you may lose interest in the item. If, however, you still want it in a month, that’s a good sign that this purchase will add substantial value to your life, and isn’t just a fleeting desire. If you can make room for purchase in your budget, then go for it.

This helps you make spending decisions from a slower, more thoughtful place, and can be a huge help in learning to budget and save money.

11. Round up Purchases

A painless and fun way to save money can be by rounding up purchases. You can do this in one of two ways.

•   The old-fashioned way is to pay for things with cash and keep the change in a jar. Then, at the end of a week or a month, deposit that change into your savings account.

•   Today, there are a variety of apps that allow you to round up purchases. That extra money can then be put into savings or invested. Check with your bank; they may offer a program like this making for a seamless experience.

12. Look into Refinancing Your Loans

Interest rates go up and down, and there may be an advantage to refinancing your loans if you can find a lower rate and/or a shorter term. Doing so could save you considerable money in interest over the life of the loan, whether that’s a mortgage, car payment, or student loan.

13. Bundle Your Insurance Policies

You may be able to whittle down your bills by combining your insurance policies (typically home and auto) with one company. Generally, when you do so, you can reap a solid amount of savings.

14. Gamify Savings

Many people find it helpful to give themselves monthly challenges to save money. It can make the pursuit of spending less more fun and can get your competitive spirit going.

For example, one month, you could vow not to get any takeout coffee and put the savings in the bank. The next month, you could vow to not use any rideshares and instead walk or take public transportation. Again, you’d put the cash saved in the bank.

15. Go Fee-Free

It can be wise to take a look at your financial institution and see how much you are paying in bank fees. There can be everything from overdraft charges to out-of-network fees to foreign transaction costs. In addition, your account might be hit with monthly maintenance or minimum balance fees. All of that can add up.

You might want to shop around for a new banking partner if you’re getting assessed a number of these charges.

Why Saving Money Is Important

Why go to the trouble of pinching pennies like this? Saving money is important for several reasons.

•   It can help you build wealth.

•   It can give you security.

•   It can reduce money stress.

•   It can help you achieve short- and long-term financial goals.

•   It can allow you to navigate bumpy times (such as job loss).

•   It can give you breathing room to splurge at times on the fun stuff of life.

Finding a Good Place to Grow Your Savings

Even if you’re only putting a small amount of money into savings each month, over time, that account will grow.
One way to help it grow faster is to park the money in a place where you won’t accidentally spend it and where it can earn more interest than a typical savings account.

You might consider opening up a high-yield savings account, money market account, online savings account, or a cash management account.

You may find that separating your savings, and watching it grow, keeps you motivated to save.
In some cases, you may be able to create “buckets” within your account, and even give them fun names, such as “Sushi Tour in Japan” or “My Dream House” that can help keep you motivated.

The Takeaway

Saving may not seem nearly as fun as spending, but it can give you the things you ultimately want, whether that’s a posh vacation, a down payment on a new home, or a comfortable retirement.

And, there are plenty of ways to save money that don’t require sacrifice. You can use a mix of short-term strategies (like spending less every time you go to the supermarket) and long-term moves (like paying down debt and buying higher quality goods) to achieve your goals.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

What is the 50/30/20 rule?

The 50/30/20 budget rule says that, of your take-home pay, 50% should be allocated to needs, or basic living expenses and minimum debt payment; 30% should be for wants, or discretionary spending; and 20% should go into savings.

What is the 30 day rule?

The 30-day rule is a way of avoiding impulse purchases and helping you take control of your money. If you find yourself about to make a significant impulse purchase, agree to wait 30 days. Write down the item, its cost, and where you saw it in your calendar for 30 days in the future. If that date rolls around and you still feel you must have it, you can reevaluate buying it, but there is a good chance the sense of “gotta have it” will have passed.

How much should you save a month?

Many financial professionals advise saving 20% of your take-home pay, but of course the exact amount will vary depending on such factors as your income, your debt, your household (how many dependents, for instance), and your cost of living.

SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. The SoFi® Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

Eligible Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network every 31 calendar days.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

See additional details at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Bank Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.

¹SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms. See list of participating banks at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks.

^Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

SOBNK-Q325-052

There are moments in life when you may need a bundle of cash and fast. Maybe you have been hit with a major car repair bill, you want to attend a destination wedding, or you’re motivated to pay off your student loans ASAP.

Whatever the situation, there are smart strategies that can help you accumulate that money as quickly as possible. Tactics like trimming your expenses, selling your unwanted stuff, and bundling your insurance can help you meet a savings goal at top speed.

In this guide, you’ll learn techniques to help you finance whatever is most urgent on your financial to-do list.

How to Save Money Fast 10 Ways

One person’s goal for saving money quickly might be, “I need $500 by the end of the week.” For another, it could be, “I’m going to stash away $10,000 within the next year.” Wherever you may fall in terms of your short-term financial goals, these 10 tactics will help you save money and achieve your aspiration.

1. Getting Rid of Unnecessary Expenses

In an age of automated billings and subscriptions, it is easy to lose track of what exactly you’re paying for each month. It is entirely possible that you’re paying for something you’re not even using.

In order to pinpoint any potentially unwanted expenses, review a month’s worth of auto debits from your bank account. You may find that you’re paying $5 a month for a digital magazine you no longer read or that you could save on streaming services by dropping one or two you don’t watch but are paying $15 a month for.

Once you’ve canceled, you could reroute the money you would have spent directly into a high-yield savings account. While $20 or $30 a month saved on subscriptions might not seem like much, even small amounts can quickly add up over time. In combination with other savings techniques, this might help you build your savings fast.

2. Negotiating and Automating Your Bill Payments

Did you know that some companies offer discounts when you set up automatic bill payments, or autopay? This means connecting a bill directly to your bank account and allowing the company to automatically withdraw the amount of the bill on the due date.

Some companies offer a discount in these situations because automatically debiting your account gives the company assurance that the bill will be paid on time. That’s a nice bonus along with not having to remember to manually pay the bill each month.

Autopay might also help you avoid unexpected late fees, which in turn could help you build up savings faster. There might be some downsides to autopay, however. If you don’t have enough money in your account to cover the charge, you might end up with a canceled subscription or overdraft or NSF fees from your bank.

3. Carefully Considering Big Decisions

Yes, it’s hard to save money, but learning to be mindful about your purchases can help. Instead of buying something as soon as you want it, you might want to sleep on it overnight and see if you still want it the next morning. Giving yourself more time before pulling out your credit card could help you determine if you really need the item or if you were just caught up in the excitement of shopping.

For example, if you fall in love with a sectional sofa, waiting overnight might give you a chance to read reviews and see if there are similar styles available online that might cost less.

Some people wait longer still. They use the 30-day rule, which involves writing a note in your calendar for 30 days after you see the item you want. If you still are determined to buy it when the calendar alert pops up, then you can probably feel confident that it isn’t an impulse buy and go for it.

By delaying purchases this way, you may be able to avoid impulse shopping and save funds, which can go towards your savings goal.

4. Considering a Spending “Fast”

Another way to save money quickly is to plan a spending fast, meaning a day or two every week where you eliminate all unnecessary spending.

For example, if you decide to do a two-day spending fast, you might only spend money on what it costs to commute to work. On those days, you might choose to forgo your daily pitstop at the coffee shop, a lunch from the salad place (you’d bring food from home), or ordering the brand new book you’ve been waiting to read.

Planning to not spend could help you reign in unintentional spending. Chances are that you barely think about that $4 you spend at the coffee shop, but if you give it up twice a week, that’s $8 that could be going into your savings.

If you save an average of $40 a week with a two-day fast, that could add more than $2,000 to your savings in a year.

5. Putting Your Accounts to Work

Choosing the right account for your money can be a great way to save funds fast. Some checking accounts charge monthly or annual account maintenance fees, with little to no interest.

Savings accounts might offer higher interest rates than a checking account, but the reality is that the average interest rates on a standard savings account can still be very low. Instead, you might shop around for a no-fee, high-interest savings account to make your money work harder for you. These kinds of accounts are often found at online vs. traditional banks.

If you currently have, say, $5,000 sitting in a checking account, earning no interest, if you were to put it in a savings account at 4.50% interest compounded daily, you’d have an extra $230.12 a year later, with no effort on your part.

6. Bundling Your Insurance

Insurance can be one of those “set it and forget it” expenses. You might buy a policy and then never really focus on the cost of the premium again.

Many insurers, however, will reduce your rate if you give them more of your business. Typically, this means having your auto and home insurance with the same company. You might be able to save a chunk of change and put it towards your savings goal.

It can also be wise to review your insurance annually. You might be paying for coverage you don’t really need.

7. Starting a Side Hustle

Sure, cutting back on your spending is one way to save money fast. But so is bringing in more cash. Many people find starting a side hustle is a good way to bring in more income. This could mean anything from selling your nature photography on Etsy or providing social media services to a local business or two.

While one of the key benefits of a side hustle is the money it can bring in, you also might find it personally rewarding and even an entry to a new full-time career.

8. Saving on Essentials

Looking for another idea for how to save money fast? There’s no doubt that many things you spend money on are necessities. Food, personal-care items, and gas for your car. But there are plenty of ways you can trim those costs.

•   To save on food, you could do some meal-planning so you can more efficiently manage your grocery budget. Using up what you buy vs. wasting food can help you save a bundle towards your goals.

•   You could get a gas card to save at the pump. There are also plenty of apps that point you towards the cheapest gas stations in your area.

•   Joining a warehouse or wholesale club can help you save on your typical purchases. If you find the quantities too large (say, a 12-pack of shampoo), partner up with a friend of two to share the wealth.

Recommended: 50/30/20 Budget Calculator

9. Selling Your Stuff

If you’re trying to save money fast, you might be able to “find” a pile of cash by selling your used items that you no longer need. This could mean anything from selling gently worn clothes online (say, on Poshmark or thredUP) or IRL (at Buffalo Exchange perhaps); putting functional electronics up for sale on eBay; or offering items on places like Nextdoor or Facebook Marketplace.

Just be cautious as there are scammers who try to prey on direct sellers.

10. Checking Your Tax Withholding

Here’s another idea for accumulating money quickly: Double-check your tax withholding. If you get a sizable tax refund every year, you may feel as if you are getting “free money.” Not at all! That’s actually your hard-earned money that you overpaid to the government and are now getting back. It could have been earning interest in the bank rather than being whisked out of your paycheck.

If you typically receive a refund, tweak your withholding, and then put the additional money that stays in your paycheck into your savings.

Is Saving Money Fast Realistic?

Saving money fast can be realistic, as long as you keep in mind your income and the fact that most financial experts say to save 20% of that figure. That’s one of the principals of the popular 50/30/20 budget rule. Fifty percent of your money goes towards essential spending, 30% goes to discretionary expenses, and 20% gets socked away as savings.

So, if you earn $100,000 a year and have an important goal in mind, such as the down payment for a house, you might be able to stash $20K in a single year. That might involve pausing your retirement savings for a year as you go all-in on accumulating as much cash as possible for a home purchase.

Also, if you are able to bring in more income (whether by selling your stuff, starting a side hustle, or via passive income ideas), that can accelerate your savings as well.

The Takeaway

If you need to save money fast, you have an array of options, such as cutting your spending, going on a buying fast, selling things you no longer need, and starting a side hustle. It can also be wise to find the right banking partner which offers a favorable interest rate and low or no fees.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

How can I save $1,000 fast?

To save $1,000 fast, you can try a combination of such techniques as trimming subscriptions, essential, and discretionary spending; bundling insurance to cut costs; selling your unwanted items; and/or using the 30-day rule.

How to save up $10,000 in 3 months?

To save $10,000 in three months, you need to save $3,333 after-tax dollars per month. Your income and expenses will influence how doable this is. Some ways to save this amount include going on a spending fast (meaning you eliminate all possible discretionary spending) and starting a side hustle to bring in more money.

How to save $5,000 ASAP?

To save $5,000 ASAP, you can try cutting your expenses, avoiding big purchases, making sure your money is earning a good interest rate, and bringing in more cash via a side hustle.

SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. The SoFi® Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

Eligible Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network every 31 calendar days.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

See additional details at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

SOBNK-Q325-086

When times are tight, it can feel as though putting even a few dollars away every month is next to impossible. How can you save money when you have a low salary and so many expenses?

There are ways to get that needle moving in the right direction — even for those who are new to working full time and living on their own. Here’s a look at some simple strategies that can help you save the maximum from your paycheck.

Taking Advantage of the Employer Match

Concerning but true: One in five adults ages 50-plus have no retirement savings, and more than half (61%) are worried they will not have enough money to support them in retirement, according to a 2024 survey by the AARP. Thankfully, it’s never too late — or too early — to start putting money aside for retirement. Enrolling in your company’s 401(k) plan can be a great place to start, and they may even offer matching contributions.

Maximize Retirement Contributions

Even if retirement feels a long way off, a great way to save more from your salary is to contribute as much as you can to your 401(k). That way, you let compound returns — when the money you earn on your contributions gets reinvested and also generates earnings — have an opportunity to work in your favor. The earlier you start saving for retirement, the less you’ll need to save each year to reach your goal.

If your employer offers a match, it’s a good idea to contribute at least enough to maximize this benefit, which is essentially free money. For example, let’s say your employer offers a 50% match up to 5% of your salary and you make $60,000. You would contribute $3,000 over the course of the year, and your employer would kick in another $1,500. Failing to contribute at least 5% means you’re leaving money on the table. This match significantly increases your retirement savings without additional effort on your part.

You might also consider increasing your contributions over time. Many employers allow you to automate annual increases, which helps you save more as your salary grows.

💡 Quick Tip: Your money deserves a higher rate. You earned it! Consider opening a high-yield checking account online and earn 0.50% APY.

Preparing a Budget and Following It

Creating a realistic budget ensures that you allocate your income wisely and consistently save a portion of your salary. Without a budget, it’s easy to overspend and neglect your financial goals.

If the idea of a budget seems daunting — or past attempts have been less than successful — it might be because your approach to budgeting is too complicated. It’s not necessary to create a complex set of spreadsheets. In fact, when you’re new to budgeting, a simple approach often works better.

One easy budgeting framework you might consider is the 50/30/20 rule. This approach streamlines expenses into three categories so you don’t have to monitor every single expenditure to make it work. Instead, you divide your take-home pay (what you make after taxes are taken out) into three main categories: needs, wants, and goals. Here’s how it works.

•   Put 50% of your money toward needs: This includes housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, insurance, prescription medications, minimum payments on credit cards and other debt, and any other expense you have to cover.

•   Put 30% toward wants: Here’s where everything from vacations to fancy coffees can come in. If it isn’t essential, it goes into this chunk of your budget. You might look at what you are currently spending on wants and see if you can find places to cut. Are you paying for streaming services you rarely watch? Are you a member of a gym you never go to? Could you cook one or two more nights per week and spend less on takeout? It’s all your call — but these costs all must fit into the allotted amount of money.

•   Put 20% towards goals: This category allows you to siphon off some of each paycheck to build your emergency fund, save for other short-term goals (like buying a car or going on vacation), and fund your retirement account. If you’re carrying high-interest debt, you’ll want to use some of this money to pay it down by making payments beyond the minimum.

•   Feel free to tweak: The 50/30/20 guideline is just that — a guideline. You may want to adjust the breakdown if the cost of living is particularly high in your area, and you need to spend more than 50% of your take-home pay on needs. On the other hand, if you’re in a hurry to pay down debt, you might want to cut back on your wants spending to make it work. The key to budget success, however, is to stick with it. So you don’t want to come up with a spending plan that is so austere you can’t maintain it.

💡 Quick Tip: If you’re saving for a short-term goal — whether it’s a vacation, a wedding, or the down payment on a house — consider opening a high-yield savings account. The higher APY that you’ll earn will help your money grow faster, but the funds stay liquid, so they are easy to access when you reach your goal.

Allocating Savings To Short- and Long-Term Goals

The goals category of your budget should include both short- and long-term goals. Here’s a look at how they differ:

•   Short-term goals: These are things you want to accomplish within the next several months or years, such as building an emergency fund, going on vacation, or making a major purchase. CDs, money market accounts, and high-yield savings accounts can be good choices for short-term goals.

•   Long-term goals: These goals are generally five or more years off and might include saving for retirement, a home purchase, or a child’s future college education. Consider investing the funds you set aside for these goals, since there’s time to withstand market fluctuations.

Using Budgeting Tools to Track Your Spending

Once you have a sense of how you want to divide up your salary and increase your savings, you might lean on some tools or apps to help you stay on track. Your bank may offer a free spending tracker as part of their mobile app. If not, consider downloading a separate budgeting app. Some popular options include:

•   YNAB (You Need A Budget): This app allows you to set specific savings goals, then keeps track of your spending and saving and charts your progress.

•   PocketGuard: This tool connects to all of your financial accounts and syncs transactions in real-time, helping you stick to your budget.

•   Goodbudget: Based on the envelope system of budgeting, Goodbudget divides up your salary into categories, then monitors your spending and helps you stick to the plan.

Automating Your Savings and Payments

Once you come up with a framework for how much you will spend and save each month, it’s a good idea to put as much of the plan on autopilot as possible.

Setting up autopay for your regular monthly bills, for example, eliminates the risk of missing payments and racking up late fees. In addition, you may want to consider automating your savings — this way, you won’t have to remember (and, quite possibly, forget) to transfer some money from your salary to savings each month, or be tempted to spend that money.

There are two different ways to automate savings. One is to split your direct deposit into two accounts. For example, you might have the majority of your paycheck go into your checking account and a smaller percentage into a high-yield savings account. If a payroll split isn’t an option, you can set up an automatic transfer from your checking to your savings on the day your paycheck clears. This way, the money gets whisked away before you have a chance to spend it.

The Takeaway

A savings plan doesn’t have to be complicated — or painful. In fact, you can start saving more from your salary by making just a few simple changes. These include: making sure you are putting some of your paycheck into your retirement plan at work (at least up to any employer match), coming up with a basic spending plan (such as the 50/30/20 breakdown), and putting your savings on autopilot. Before long, budgeting and saving will likely become a habit you don’t even have to think about.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

How much of my salary should I save every month?

A common recommendation is to save at least 20% of your take-home salary. This 20% includes emergency savings, retirement contributions, and other investments. However, this is just a guideline. If you have a high income and relatively low expenses, you may be able to save much more than 20%. If money is tight, on the other hand, you might need to start with a smaller percentage and gradually increase it over time.

How big of an emergency fund do I need?

A general rule of thumb is to have three to six months’ worth of living expenses set aside in an emergency fund. To come up with an exact amount, tally up all of your fixed expenses (e.g., rent/mortgage, utilities, groceries, transportation, debt, etc) and multiply that number by three or, ideally, six. Having that big of an emergency fund can help you cover your monthly bills in the event of a financial set-back without running up debt.

Should I pay debt instead of saving?

It depends. If you don’t have a solid emergency fund, you’ll want to prioritize saving over paying off debt. After that, you generally want to prioritize paying off high-interest debt (such as credit cards) over saving, since the interest rate you’re paying on your balances likely exceeds what you could earn by saving or investing. If your debt has a relatively low-interest rate, however, it’s a good idea to balance paying it off with putting money into savings.

What does an employer match mean?

An employer match is when your employer contributes to your retirement savings plan, such as a 401(k), based on how much you are contributing, up to a certain limit. For example, if your employer offers a 50% match up to 5%, it means they will contribute 50 cents for every dollar you contribute up to 5% of your salary. Any contributions you make above 5% of your salary will not be matched.

What is the max amount my employer is allowed to match?

Employer match maximums vary by company. The average 401k employer match is 50% partial match contributions up to 4% to 6% of an employee’s salary.

While companies can set their own matching policies, keep in mind that the internal revenue service (IRS) sets overall contribution limits for retirement plans, both for employees and for combined employee/employer contributions. These limits are updated every year.

SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. The SoFi® Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

Eligible Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network every 31 calendar days.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

See additional details at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
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A hospital bill in the thousands. A vet invoice for hundreds. A car repair for more than you make in a month. When faced with an emergency, it can compound the problem to try to figure out how to pay for the unexpected expenses, on top of an already stressful situation.

If you find yourself questioning, “Should I have an emergency fund?” the answer should be a resounding yes, absolutely! But where to begin? Forty percent of Americans say they are unable to afford even a $400 emergency expense.

Conventional wisdom claims you should have enough money saved in an emergency fund to cover at least three to six months of expenses, depending on your personal financial situation.

But with looming student debt, credit card payments, or other big financial burdens, it can be hard to imagine saving while keeping up with all of your bills and expenses. Emergency funds are great for major unexpected expenses, but preparing for the unexpected still takes time and planning.

Beefing up Your Budget

One of the first ways you can start saving up for an emergency fund is to evaluate your current spending habits and create a budget, if you don’t already have one. Take a look at where there is fat to trim, meaning extra expenses you can minimize or eliminate.

Start with a simple spreadsheet, which should help you break down your spending to see your total income, plus what you spend on necessities like rent, loan payments and groceries, discretionary spending like shopping or entertainment, and long-term goals, including emergency fund savings or retirement.

For a two-income household, you could aim to have three months of expenses in your basic emergency fund, with six months for a one-income household.

In a recent survey, 67% of millennials report having a savings goal and sticking with it every month, or most months. Your overall savings goal might actually include more than just saving for an emergency fund.

One common tactic for an easy budget to stick to is to put 20% of your take-home income toward financial goals, such as savings, and then make part of that just for your emergency fund.

You might want to look at your current bills and deadlines and see what you can adjust to make the most sense with your paydays. If you get paid every two weeks, but all of your bills are due at the end of the month, maybe you find you are dipping into those savings to pay everything on time.

You could try spreading out your bills throughout the month or grouped closer to your paychecks, so you can better budget your money throughout the year. Everybody’s financial situation is different, so figure out what works for you—and stick with it.

Having an emergency fund means you’ll be better prepared to cover any urgent, unplanned financial crises, like a high medical bill or costly car repair, without ruining your normal budgeted living expenses. With money set aside, you’ll be able to stress less and avoid more costly solutions like credit cards or personal loans to fund any emergencies.

However, one possible disadvantage to trying to build up your emergency fund is that you might feel like that money should be going toward paying off debt, like student loans or credit cards, before storing away funds in savings. But it’s important to know good debt from bad in this case.

A mortgage or student loan is generally considered good debt, while a high-interest credit card can be worse for your overall credit score and financial health. If you are weighing paying off debt versus building up your emergency fund, you might consider this order to figure out your top priorities:

•   Make sure you have enough money in the bank to pay any recurring bills.
•   Build a safety net equal to one month of your basic expenses
•   Match any contributions your employer makes for retirement contributions.
•   Pay off bad debt, like high-interest credit cards.
•   Build up your emergency fund.

Once you have three to six months’ worth of expenses saved up for your emergency fund, you can refocus your budget on other long-term goals.

Putting Savings on Auto Drive

If you already use direct deposit, you’ve already got a possible solution to help you fund an emergency reserve. You can set up a recurring transfer with your bank, or split your direct deposit into a checking and a savings account, in order to make savings automatic.

If you don’t notice the money sitting in your account in the first place, it might be less tempting to spend it or move it back out of savings.

So how much can you afford to automatically transfer? The Consumer Federation of America says that an emergency savings fund should consist of at least $500 . They recommend using a savings account that you do not have easy access to, perhaps at a different bank than your current home bank.

You can kick-start your emergency fund by using a cash windfall like a tax refund, work bonus, or birthday check.

You could aim first to get to $500, then $1,000, then one month of essential living expenses, and work your way up from there.

You probably aren’t going to generate three or six months worth of extra money all at once.

Automating your savings might help, whether you choose to have a certain amount from your paycheck transferred into a separate savings account, or set up recurring transfers from checking to savings with your bank.

Then, when you do reach a comfortable number in your emergency fund, you can redirect those automated savings toward other financial goals like paying off debt or funding retirement.

Saving Smarter, Not Harder

So, if you’re determined to start saving more for an emergency fund, you might want to explore exactly what kind of savings account you want to keep your money in.

Certain accounts can earn you significantly more money based on the amount of interest. This could help your emergency fund grow even faster while rewarding you for saving money rather than spending it.

In fact, a SoFi Checking and Savings® account has no account fees. Plus, as a SoFi member, you’ll also receive other benefits to help you figure out your finances, like career coaching, mobile transfers, financial advisors, and community events.

We work hard to charge zero account fees. With that in mind, our fee structure is subject to change at any time.

Before you start saving up for an emergency fund, consider what kind of account you want to keep that money in. It can be helpful to have easy access to cash, in case you are ever faced with a financial emergency.

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Eligible Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network every 31 calendar days.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

See additional details at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

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