We all have big days, monumental events and things we want in our lives, but sometimes these things all seem to come with a huge price tag. And it’s in those times that our online payday loans are here to help. But when it comes to certain things like your wedding, buying a new home, preparing for a baby or even a trip around the world then you will need to have savings put away or for these big occasions. And while something big life moments you can start saving and prepare for, there are events that you can’t always predict happening. That’s why regular savings tips will help prepare you for any occasion and save whether it is planned or not. So, how do you save up for that special something?
Financial Wants vs. Needs
Do you know the difference between a financial want and financial need? Financial wants are the items and things we desire, compared to our financial needs which our financial obligations such as bills, debts and everything else life throws at us that we need to pay for. And on top of that, we need to be saving! So how do you not go over budget and still but also have enough fun without living paycheck to paycheck? It’s a trick everyone is learning to master, and there are more and more resources out there no matter what your financial responsibilities are. We’re all always looking to save more money, but when it comes down to it, what are you willing to sacrifice to save? We’ve become accustomed to some of these things that we think we “need” them because we’ve had them for so long when really it’s more of a “want” and would be just fine without them. Our favourite trick in the book though is to always keep track, it’s the best way to stay on budget to make sure you’re living within your means and having money for both those financial wants and needs.
Stop Suffering from FOMO and Treating Yourself
It is also tricky to save money all while wanting to have fun and not suffer from “FOMO” or the “Fear Of Missing Out”? This is something very common, because who wants to be the person missing out? What you don’t realize is that these events and decisions can often lead to or have financial implications and greatly affect that something special you’ve been saving for. Especially in the age of social media when you’re seeing images and reading stories of what others are doing, this is how “FOMO” is created. Of course, you want to also be traveling the world or attending that awesome event, who doesn’t? But that’s why you’re budgeting now to save to make sure that it is financially feasible? Splurging here and there is one thing, but constantly being off budget and not worrying about your credit card statement because you’re living in the moment is another thing.
Naturally, most people are much better spenders than we are savers. These guilty pleasure purchases have become a catchphrase that when you hear of someone “treating themselves”, the conversation usually follows up with something that was purchased that was not originally budgeted for but makes you happy. But is there a limit when it comes to treating yourself? Definitely. And we don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but your credit card bill will still come at the end of the month with those treated purchases that have now added up. Everyone has their own way of treating themselves. For some people it’s coffee, for others it’s the latest gadget, and for some people, they like to splurge on something special for someone else. Staying on budget and treating yourself less often can help you save money for that something special.
Stick To A Budget
How do you keep track of your funds? Do you have a budget currently in place? If so, do you have a budget set up to save for that something special? When it comes to creating a budget, especially for something specific, there are many things you need to keep in mind to make sure you’re not missing out on any opportunities to save. Knowing your income and how much you regularly have coming in plus what your regular expenses are is the first step to creating a budget. And once you have all of your costs laid out and can see when your money is going, this is where you can take the next steps to see where you can start saving more. It is very common to feel like you don’t have enough money to save after you’ve paid all your bills and covered the other expenses for the month, but by creating a budget and adding a savings portion helps to force you to start putting money away. This could mean finding places within your budget you start to cut back, some of the most common expenses for that are eating out shopping and the other things we listed above. For some people, this is easier than others but it is by having a budget in place that will help you with the ins and outs of your money and will help you save for what you need.
When it comes to saving up for that something special, one of the key things to remember is to make sure you’re still contributing to your regular savings away as well. Just because you’re saving, for one thing, doesn’t mean that you can stop saving for things like your retirement, stop contributing to your RRSP’s or having money set aside in your emergency fund. It is all about balancing your dollars and sticking to the budget you have set up.
Do you have any tips or tricks when it comes to saving for that special something like a wedding or a trip? Let us know in the comment section below.
