虽然长期储蓄很重要,但有时攒快钱可以激励你朝着储蓄目标坚持下去。随着时间的推移,小额储蓄积少成多,可以成为一笔应急基金,或是筑梦基金。
当然,每个人的消费习惯都不一样。看看下列这些建议中哪一个对你的钱包最有用。
1. 取消不必要的订阅和会员
想要有效存钱,要取消不必要的订阅。或许你在某个新推出的流媒体免费促销期间注册了,后来却忘记取消了。也许你有一张已经不用了的健身卡。记得查看你每个月的信用卡或银行对账单,找到那些重复出现的订阅费用。
你不需要去特定的机构开设账户就能得到有用的帮助。有许多金融科技服务,如Trim和Truebill,可以帮你找到节省订阅和其他账单费用的方法。
2. 使用APP自动存钱
如果你经常忘记把钱存进储蓄账户,或者不知道该存多少钱,可以考虑使用APP来帮你存钱。
有很多应用程序可以帮你自动存钱。Qapital和Digit是其中两种。这类APP的设计理念就是自动按照你预设好的金额把钱从工资卡中转到你的储蓄账户中。
但你放在这类应用程序里的钱收益往往不高(甚至没有),所以等存下了一笔钱后,要考虑把钱转到高收益储蓄账户中。
3. 如果你收入稳定,设置账单自动还款
我们都很忙。忘记按时支付账单是常有的事。如果你还得起款,在账单到期时按时还款就是一种简便易行的省钱方法。
如果不按时缴纳账单,会被收取滞纳金。虽然可能只是这里多付5美元或者那里多付10美元,但加起来很快就不是一笔小数目。信用卡滞纳金还要贵得多。
收入不稳定的人可能不适合设置自动支付账单,但可以考虑尝试像Steady这样的服务,可以帮你在缴费日和账单日前后找到一些兼职或其他赚钱机会。
有些银行允许你自行设置个人数字银行账户规则。在大通银行(Chase Bank),网上银行客户可以设置自动储蓄规则,例如,他们在入账1,000美元时,银行会将其中100美元自动转入储蓄账户。
4. 换家银行
银行从账户管理费中赚了很多钱。根据消费者金融保护局的数据,仅透支费用和资金不足费用这两项,银行在2021年就赚了80多亿美元。
不想付月费?很容易实现,特别是使用网上银行。根据Bankrate对2022年支票账户和ATM费用的研究,近一半(46%)的无利息支票账户是免费的。有些银行甚至会为你开户提供丰厚的优惠活动。
至于你的储蓄账户,要找一个收益较高的银行。认真对比储蓄账户的利率和费用,找到一个适合自己的。
5. 开立短期存单
一年期定期存单比储蓄账户赚的利息更多。此外,定期存单的收益率通常是固定的; 只要你在到期前不把钱取出来,就能保证获得开存单时的收益率。
重要提醒:如果你觉得自己可能需要在存单到期前用钱,就不要选择定期存单,否则你就要缴纳提前取款的罚款了。
6. 参加优惠活动和忠诚度计划
记得在本地的杂货店和药店注册打折卡。
经常使用这些福利可以帮你在结账时省钱,或者是在你下次购物时拿到优惠。只是要确保不要被诱人的优惠左右,买一些不需要的东西。
7. 用现金付款或设置卡片支付限额
每次去商店购物时都选择使用现金而不是信用卡,这样可以哄骗你的大脑继续省钱。你带了多少现金,就最多只能花多少钱。查一查最近大热的信封理财法,进一步深入探索这个理念。
用信用卡太容易花超了。
8. 不要再为了方便而花钱
为便利付费可以节省时间,但会让你花钱。
每天稍微多花一点时间自己煮咖啡、自己打扫、自己修东西可以增加你的银行存款。
做出选择,在你不太重视的事情上减少开支。例如,也许你很珍视去咖啡店的体验,但你可以选择减少点外卖的次数。
9. 买东西时赚取返现
即使在最困难的时候,也要花钱购买生活必需品,就可以因此得到返现。可以使用返现信用卡,帮你在购物时赚取现金。有些卡甚至不收年费。
你手头的信用卡在某些零售商处或许也有返现优惠,但你可能需要选择加入活动才能兑换奖励。 这些优惠也可能有截止日期或其他条款和附加条件,所以要仔细检查,确保没什么意外发生。
在拿到新信用卡之前,现金返还应用程序也是一个可以考虑的选择。
10. 重新审视你的周期性账单
审查一下你的有线电视、卫星电视或流媒体服务账单,或许有地方能省钱。一开始,你可能从有线电视或卫星电视供应商那里得到了很好的优惠,但一段时间后失效了。过几年就找一找新的优惠活动可以帮你省钱。
还有一些应用程序,如Rocket Money,可以帮你针对你的账单与供应商谈判。这些应用程序通常是免费的,但如果它们帮你省了钱,就会抽取一定比例的佣金。
11. 寻找优惠券和促销
提前做好用优惠券的计划,到处找找看有没有促销活动,可以省不少钱。商店传单和互联网能帮你买到便宜的东西,帮你省钱。一些网站扩展服务,如Honey的浏览器插件,可以帮你寻找优惠券代码。
12. 卖掉不需要的东西
卖掉你不需要的东西来实现现金快速回流。
翻翻你的衣柜、阁楼、车库或储物间,找到你不再穿戴的裙子、戒指或登山靴。然后,把商品挂到热门的在线购物网站上,如eBay或Poshmark等。
如果一次要卖掉很多东西,可以选择来一次车库大甩卖。
无论你用什么方法,都要提前做好功课,以免后悔。在你以低于实际价值的价格出售一件物品之前,要确保你知道它的价值。
13. 重新评估你的住房成本
住房成本——如租金或抵押贷款——往往是家庭预算中最大的开支之一。搬到一个租金较低的地方可以帮你立即存下钱。给你的抵押贷款重新融资,也可以帮你省下每月要付的钱,以及长期攒钱。但要确保这种做法适合你。
14. 买保险时货比三家
买保险时货比三家可以帮你省下一大笔钱。有时候,作为新客户,你能找到一笔更优惠的交易,或者你可以联系现在的保险公司,让他们降低你目前被调高了的费率。捆绑购买同一家保险公司的产品也能省钱。
15. 限制能源消耗
通过减少你的能源消耗,不仅能保护环境,还能减少每月账单。一些快速节约能源的省钱方法:电子产品不用时就拔掉电源,换成LED灯泡,在寒冷的月份将夜间的恒温器温度调降几度。
16. 降级年费信用卡
有时,年费信用卡的确可以带来好处。但是,如果该卡停止了这些福利,或者你并没有充分利用这些福利,那么支付这笔年费就没有意义了。如果可以选择的话,降级到无年费卡可能更适合你。打电话给发卡机构,看看能否把你现在的卡降级为免费卡。
17. 自己做饭
食物在你的预算中可能是一笔很大的开支。为你接下来的几餐饭做好准备,弄清楚你需要从杂货店买什么。列个清单,找找优惠券,尽量不买清单上没有的东西。
即使没有优惠券,在杂货店买食物也比点外卖或在餐馆吃饭便宜得多。
18. 试着过一下不花钱的日子
一天或一周不花一分钱可以帮你快速省钱。这会迫使你仔细考虑你要花掉的每一分钱。在一天(或几天)不花钱之后,你可能会意识到你的消费习惯已经改善了。
19. 制定预算
评估你的支出可以帮你发现你在哪些地方浪费钱了。这个过程或许会让你大吃一惊。
做预算的目的是为你每个月花多少钱、存多少钱设定一个指导方针。它可以让你知道你可以在哪里削减开支,还可以激励你朝着储蓄目标努力。
20. 从今天起,改掉一个消费习惯
可能有一种你每天或定期花钱购买但其实不买(或者少买几次)也没关系的商品或便利服务。随着时间的推移,你或许可以适应不再买它,这种消费活动将不再是一种习惯。
如果你能照着一个计划执行,多点自律,你会发现自己在周末或月底以及年底的时候,手里攒了更多的钱。(财富中文网)
本文最初发表于Bankrate.com。
译者:Agatha
虽然长期储蓄很重要,但有时攒快钱可以激励你朝着储蓄目标坚持下去。随着时间的推移,小额储蓄积少成多,可以成为一笔应急基金,或是筑梦基金。
当然,每个人的消费习惯都不一样。看看下列这些建议中哪一个对你的钱包最有用。
1. 取消不必要的订阅和会员
想要有效存钱,要取消不必要的订阅。或许你在某个新推出的流媒体免费促销期间注册了,后来却忘记取消了。也许你有一张已经不用了的健身卡。记得查看你每个月的信用卡或银行对账单,找到那些重复出现的订阅费用。
你不需要去特定的机构开设账户就能得到有用的帮助。有许多金融科技服务,如Trim和Truebill,可以帮你找到节省订阅和其他账单费用的方法。
2. 使用APP自动存钱
如果你经常忘记把钱存进储蓄账户,或者不知道该存多少钱,可以考虑使用APP来帮你存钱。
有很多应用程序可以帮你自动存钱。Qapital和Digit是其中两种。这类APP的设计理念就是自动按照你预设好的金额把钱从工资卡中转到你的储蓄账户中。
但你放在这类应用程序里的钱收益往往不高(甚至没有),所以等存下了一笔钱后,要考虑把钱转到高收益储蓄账户中。
3. 如果你收入稳定,设置账单自动还款
我们都很忙。忘记按时支付账单是常有的事。如果你还得起款,在账单到期时按时还款就是一种简便易行的省钱方法。
如果不按时缴纳账单,会被收取滞纳金。虽然可能只是这里多付5美元或者那里多付10美元,但加起来很快就不是一笔小数目。信用卡滞纳金还要贵得多。
收入不稳定的人可能不适合设置自动支付账单,但可以考虑尝试像Steady这样的服务,可以帮你在缴费日和账单日前后找到一些兼职或其他赚钱机会。
有些银行允许你自行设置个人数字银行账户规则。在大通银行(Chase Bank),网上银行客户可以设置自动储蓄规则,例如,他们在入账1,000美元时,银行会将其中100美元自动转入储蓄账户。
4. 换家银行
银行从账户管理费中赚了很多钱。根据消费者金融保护局的数据,仅透支费用和资金不足费用这两项,银行在2021年就赚了80多亿美元。
不想付月费?很容易实现,特别是使用网上银行。根据Bankrate对2022年支票账户和ATM费用的研究,近一半(46%)的无利息支票账户是免费的。有些银行甚至会为你开户提供丰厚的优惠活动。
至于你的储蓄账户,要找一个收益较高的银行。认真对比储蓄账户的利率和费用,找到一个适合自己的。
5. 开立短期存单
一年期定期存单比储蓄账户赚的利息更多。此外,定期存单的收益率通常是固定的; 只要你在到期前不把钱取出来,就能保证获得开存单时的收益率。
重要提醒:如果你觉得自己可能需要在存单到期前用钱,就不要选择定期存单,否则你就要缴纳提前取款的罚款了。
6. 参加优惠活动和忠诚度计划
记得在本地的杂货店和药店注册打折卡。
经常使用这些福利可以帮你在结账时省钱,或者是在你下次购物时拿到优惠。只是要确保不要被诱人的优惠左右,买一些不需要的东西。
7. 用现金付款或设置卡片支付限额
每次去商店购物时都选择使用现金而不是信用卡,这样可以哄骗你的大脑继续省钱。你带了多少现金,就最多只能花多少钱。查一查最近大热的信封理财法,进一步深入探索这个理念。
用信用卡太容易花超了。
8. 不要再为了方便而花钱
为便利付费可以节省时间,但会让你花钱。
每天稍微多花一点时间自己煮咖啡、自己打扫、自己修东西可以增加你的银行存款。
做出选择,在你不太重视的事情上减少开支。例如,也许你很珍视去咖啡店的体验,但你可以选择减少点外卖的次数。
9. 买东西时赚取返现
即使在最困难的时候,也要花钱购买生活必需品,就可以因此得到返现。可以使用返现信用卡,帮你在购物时赚取现金。有些卡甚至不收年费。
你手头的信用卡在某些零售商处或许也有返现优惠,但你可能需要选择加入活动才能兑换奖励。 这些优惠也可能有截止日期或其他条款和附加条件,所以要仔细检查,确保没什么意外发生。
在拿到新信用卡之前,现金返还应用程序也是一个可以考虑的选择。
10. 重新审视你的周期性账单
审查一下你的有线电视、卫星电视或流媒体服务账单,或许有地方能省钱。一开始,你可能从有线电视或卫星电视供应商那里得到了很好的优惠,但一段时间后失效了。过几年就找一找新的优惠活动可以帮你省钱。
还有一些应用程序,如Rocket Money,可以帮你针对你的账单与供应商谈判。这些应用程序通常是免费的,但如果它们帮你省了钱,就会抽取一定比例的佣金。
11. 寻找优惠券和促销
提前做好用优惠券的计划,到处找找看有没有促销活动,可以省不少钱。商店传单和互联网能帮你买到便宜的东西,帮你省钱。一些网站扩展服务,如Honey的浏览器插件,可以帮你寻找优惠券代码。
12. 卖掉不需要的东西
卖掉你不需要的东西来实现现金快速回流。
翻翻你的衣柜、阁楼、车库或储物间,找到你不再穿戴的裙子、戒指或登山靴。然后,把商品挂到热门的在线购物网站上,如eBay或Poshmark等。
如果一次要卖掉很多东西,可以选择来一次车库大甩卖。
无论你用什么方法,都要提前做好功课,以免后悔。在你以低于实际价值的价格出售一件物品之前,要确保你知道它的价值。
13. 重新评估你的住房成本
住房成本——如租金或抵押贷款——往往是家庭预算中最大的开支之一。搬到一个租金较低的地方可以帮你立即存下钱。给你的抵押贷款重新融资,也可以帮你省下每月要付的钱,以及长期攒钱。但要确保这种做法适合你。
14. 买保险时货比三家
买保险时货比三家可以帮你省下一大笔钱。有时候,作为新客户,你能找到一笔更优惠的交易,或者你可以联系现在的保险公司,让他们降低你目前被调高了的费率。捆绑购买同一家保险公司的产品也能省钱。
15. 限制能源消耗
通过减少你的能源消耗,不仅能保护环境,还能减少每月账单。一些快速节约能源的省钱方法:电子产品不用时就拔掉电源,换成LED灯泡,在寒冷的月份将夜间的恒温器温度调降几度。
16. 降级年费信用卡
有时,年费信用卡的确可以带来好处。但是,如果该卡停止了这些福利,或者你并没有充分利用这些福利,那么支付这笔年费就没有意义了。如果可以选择的话,降级到无年费卡可能更适合你。打电话给发卡机构,看看能否把你现在的卡降级为免费卡。
17. 自己做饭
食物在你的预算中可能是一笔很大的开支。为你接下来的几餐饭做好准备,弄清楚你需要从杂货店买什么。列个清单,找找优惠券,尽量不买清单上没有的东西。
即使没有优惠券,在杂货店买食物也比点外卖或在餐馆吃饭便宜得多。
18. 试着过一下不花钱的日子
一天或一周不花一分钱可以帮你快速省钱。这会迫使你仔细考虑你要花掉的每一分钱。在一天(或几天)不花钱之后,你可能会意识到你的消费习惯已经改善了。
19. 制定预算
评估你的支出可以帮你发现你在哪些地方浪费钱了。这个过程或许会让你大吃一惊。
做预算的目的是为你每个月花多少钱、存多少钱设定一个指导方针。它可以让你知道你可以在哪里削减开支,还可以激励你朝着储蓄目标努力。
20. 从今天起,改掉一个消费习惯
可能有一种你每天或定期花钱购买但其实不买(或者少买几次)也没关系的商品或便利服务。随着时间的推移,你或许可以适应不再买它,这种消费活动将不再是一种习惯。
如果你能照着一个计划执行,多点自律,你会发现自己在周末或月底以及年底的时候,手里攒了更多的钱。(财富中文网)
本文最初发表于Bankrate.com。
译者:Agatha
Though long-term savings are important, sometimes getting quick results can motivate you to stick to a savings goal. Over time, small areas of savings can add up and be used to contribute to an emergency fund or to fund a future dream.
Of course, everyone’s spending habits are different. See which of these suggestions could make the biggest difference for your bottom line.
Cancel unnecessary subscription services and memberships
To be an effective saver, get rid of unnecessary subscriptions. Perhaps you signed up for a new streaming service for the free promotional period but forgot to cancel it. Or maybe you have a gym membership you no longer use. Go through your monthly credit card or bank statements to look for recurring subscription charges.
You don’t need an account at a specific institution to get a helping hand. There are a number of fintech services—like Trim and Truebill—that are designed to help you find ways to save on subscriptions and other bills.
Automate your savings with an app
If you often forget to put money into your savings account or struggle to know how much to sock away, consider using an app that does the work for you.
There are plenty of apps that will automate your savings. Qapital and Digit are two options. These automated savings apps are designed to automatically transfer a predetermined amount from your paycheck into your savings.
You won’t earn the highest annual percentage yield (or sometimes any) on your deposits with these apps, so once you’ve saved up a bundle, consider transferring the money into a high-yield savings account.
Set up automatic payments for bills if you make a steady salary
We’re busy. It’s all too easy to forget to pay all of our bills on time. One easy way to save money is to pay your bills when they’re due, assuming you can afford to do so.
Companies charge you late fees for overdue balances. While this might amount to just $5 here or $10 there, those fees quickly add up. Credit card late fees can be a lot more expensive.
People with irregular income may want to hold off automating bill payments and instead consider trying a service like Steady, which connects you to side gigs and other earning opportunities near your payday and bill due dates.
Some banks let you set up a rule within your digital banking account. At Chase Bank, online banking customers can set up an auto-savings rule so that when, for example, they receive a $1,000 deposit, the bank automatically moves $100 of it into a savings account.
Switch banks
Banks make a lot of money from account fees. In fact, banks made over $8 billion in 2021 in overdraft and nonsufficient funds fees alone, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
It’s easy to avoid paying monthly fees, particularly at online banks. Nearly half (46 percent) of checking accounts that don’t earn interest are free, according to Bankrate’s 2022 checking account and ATM fee study. Some banks will even give you a generous bonus just for opening an account.
For your savings account, look for one that pays a competitive yield. Compare savings accounts rates and fees to find one that fits your needs.
Open a short-term certificate of deposit (CD)
A one-year CD could help you earn more interest than a savings account. Plus, a CD’s yield is usually fixed; as long as you keep the money in the CD through the duration of the term, you’re guaranteed to earn the opening APY.
One important caveat: Avoid CDs if you think you might need the cash before the CD term ends, so you won’t have to pay early withdrawal penalties.
Sign up for rewards and loyalty programs
Sign up for discount cards at grocery stores and drug stores in your area.
Using these programs regularly can help you save money at checkout or possibly help you earn rewards toward future purchases. Just make sure not to be swayed into buying unnecessary stuff by appealing deals.
Buy with cash or set a control on your card
You can trick your brain into saving money every time you go to the store by using cash instead of a credit card to make a purchase. Whatever cash you have is your spending limit. Check out the cash stuffing trend to explore this idea further.
It’s too easy to lose sight of limits with a credit card.
Stop paying for convenience
Paying for convenience can save time, but it can cost you money.
Taking a little extra time out of your day to brew your own coffee or clean and repair things around the house can grow your bank account.
Choose to reduce your expenses on things you care less about. For example, maybe you value the experience of going to a coffee shop, but you can cut back on how many times your order delivery food.
Earn cash back on your purchases
Even when times are toughest, you’ll still need to spend money on essentials, so you might as well be rewarded with cash back. There are cash-back credit cards that can help you collect cash back on your purchases. Some don’t even have an annual fee.
Your existing credit card might also have cash-back offers at certain retailers, but you might need to opt in to redeem this reward. These offers may have an expiration date or other terms and conditions, so double check to ensure you’re not caught off guard.
Cash-back apps might also be an option to consider before you start shopping for new credit cards.
Reevaluate your recurring bills
Look at your cable, satellite or streaming options to potentially save money. You might start off with a good deal from your cable or satellite provider, which lapses after an initial period. Finding a new deal after a couple of years could save you money.
There are also apps, such as Rocket Money, that can help negotiate bills for you. These apps are often free but take a percentage of the earnings if they help you save on bills.
Look for coupons and sales
Planning ahead with coupons and checking around for sales can make a major difference. Looking through store flyers and online can help you get a good deal and save money. A website extension, such as Honey’s browser add-on, looks out for coupon codes for you.
Sell unwanted items
Sell items you don’t need for an injection of cash fast.
Look at your closet, attic, garage or storage space to find the dress or ring or hiking boots you no longer wear. Then, post the item to a popular online marketplace, such as eBay or Poshmark.
A garage sale might be an option for selling many items at once.
Whatever approach you take, do your homework to avoid regrets. Make sure you know the value of an item before you sell it for less than it is worth.
Reevaluate your housing costs
Housing costs—such as rent or mortgage payments—are some of the largest expenses in most budgets. Moving to a place with a lower rent could help you start saving immediately. Refinancing your mortgage can help you save money on monthly payments and in the long run. But make sure it makes sense for your situation.
Shop around for insurance
Shopping around for insurance can help you save big. Sometimes you’ll find a better deal as a new customer or you can contact your existing insurer to ask them to lower your current rate if it has gone up. Bundling insurance products with the same insurance company can also help you save.
Limit energy consumption
By reducing how much energy you consume, you’re not only helping the environment but also lowering your monthly bills. Some ways to save money on energy consumption quickly include unplugging electronics when they’re not in use, switching to LED lightbulbs and lowering your thermostat a couple of degrees at night during colder months.
Downgrade an annual fee credit card
Sometimes an annual fee credit card can provide real benefits. But it might not make sense to pay this annual fee if the card discontinues these benefits or if you aren’t fully utilizing them. Downgrading to a no-annual-fee card might be a better fit for you, if this is an option. Call your issuer to see if you’re able to downgrade your current card to a no-fee card.
Cook your own meals
Food can be a large expense in your budget. Prep for your upcoming meals and have a clear understanding of what you need from the grocery store. Make a list, look for coupons, and try not to buy anything that didn’t make it on the list.
Even without coupons, buying food at a grocery store is significantly less expensive than ordering carryout or eating at restaurants.
Try a no-spend day
Not spending any money in a day or week can help you quickly save money. This can force you to think about every dollar you spend. After a no-spend day (or days), you may also realize your spending habits have improved.
Make a budget
Assessing your spending is a way to find areas where you may be wasting money. This can be an eye-opening process.
The goal of making a budget is to set a guideline for how much you spend and how much you save each month. It can give you insight into where you can cut down on spending, and it can incentivize you to build toward savings goals.
Eliminate one spending habit today
There’s probably one treat or convenience that you’re paying for on a daily or regular basis that you can live without (or indulge in less often). Over time, you may get used to skipping this item and it will no longer be a habit.
By following a plan and using some discipline, you can find yourself with more money at the end of the week or month, and in time, the year.
This article was originally published on Bankrate.com.