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It’s not always easy to save for retirement. After all, 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck per LendingClub, which means little extra is available for building a nest egg. But any extra you can set aside will pay off in retirement — and could possibly change your life before you retire.
Even more surprising, an extra $1,000 a month in savings may be right in front of you. Here are five ways you can save more money:
1. It all starts with a budget
The first step in saving an extra $1,000 a month is to examine your spending and then make a budget. By itemizing all your expenses, you can get a better idea of where you can comfortably cut back. Setting up a sustainable budget can keep you on track and help reduce unnecessary or impulse purchases.
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Monarch Money also lets you set up custom financial goals — such as buying a house or saving for retirement — and then tracks your progress towards them.
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2. Take a bite out of your food expenses
Food is the third-largest expense for U.S. households, after housing and transportation, according to the latest consumer expenditure data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It’s also an area where you may be able to find some big savings.
The average amount American households spend on “food away from home" is more than $3,500 a year. Most of us know the cost of that morning coffee we grab on the way to work adds up, but it’s also likely a small luxury we’d like to keep. One way to save is to grab the coffee, but skip the pastry you’re grabbing with it ― and try to pack a lunch for work.
Plan and prep your meals for the week if you can. Make it a habit to go grocery shopping ahead of time so you’re less tempted to grab takeout on the way home. Don’t neglect to check flyers for your local grocery store to take advantage of what’s on sale, and consider adhering to the old-fashioned but effective practice of using coupons whenever you can.
You can also turn this everyday spending into an investment opportunity with Acorns.
When you make a purchase with your debit or credit card, Acorns automatically rounds it up to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change into a diversified portfolio of ETFs.
For instance, when you purchase a latte for $4.25, Acorns will round up the transaction to $5, and invest the 75-cent difference into a smart investment portfolio. Just $3 worth of daily round ups can add up to over $1,000 in a year — and that’s before it compounds and makes money in the market.
You can get a $20 bonus investment when you sign up with Acorns today.
3. Put the brakes on your transportation expenses
While food is a major cost, transportation takes second place as the largest expense for American households. Some people might be paying too much for a vehicle — or paying for a fancier vehicle than they really need.
While it may not be realistic to get rid of your car at this point, you can cut back on costs by walking more, taking public transportation when possible, or even carpooling to work more often.
This can save on gas and parking, and may help to reduce wear and tear on your vehicle. It may even reduce your insurance costs, as they’re often affected by the number of miles you drive.
It’s also a smart idea to shop around for car insurance.
OfficialCarInsurance lets you compare auto insurance rates from leading providers near you for free, including trusted brands such as GEICO, Allstate, Progressive, and more.
All you need to do is enter some basic information about yourself, the vehicle you drive, and your driving history, and OfficialCarInsurance will comb through its database and display the lowest available quotes.
Get started and find auto insurance rates starting at just $29 per month.
4. Get big gains by cutting small expenses
When you look at your expenses, look for small things that add up. If you’re spending a lot on books, consider getting a library card. If you buy a lot of bottled water, start using a refillable water bottle instead. Can you get by with fewer manicures? Cutting back on regular small expenses that won’t change your quality of life much can really add up.
You can save about $482 per year on average by comparing home insurance rates from leading insurers near you, and selecting the lowest available rate through OfficialHomeInsurance.
Using OfficialHomeInsurance is 100% free. All you have to do is enter some information yourself and about the home you’d like to insure. Within two minutes, the platform will sort through its database of over 200 insurers and display the lowest rates offered.
From there, you can compare the coverage offered by providers near you and read reviews before making a decision.
Getting pet insurance if you have a furry friend can also save you thousands down the road. According to Rover, pet owners spend approximately $34,550 on average over the lifetime of a dog with a 10-year life expectancy. The average lifetime care for a 16-year-old cat costs roughly $32,170.
Getting comprehensive pet insurance can help you significantly reduce your bill at the vet.
BestMoney — an online marketplace — lets you compare different pet insurance policies and their rates from leading providers like Embrace Pet Insurance, ASPCA, Spot Pet Insurance and Pet Best.
A side-by-side comparison of the policies as well as reviews of the various providers can help you make the best decision for both your pet and your wallet.
Get started with BestMoney and find pet insurance offers starting at just $10 per month here.
5. How saving $1,000 extra a month can change your life
If you’re able to start saving an extra $1,000 a month, you could start making big changes in your nest egg. For starters, you’re likely to have more peace of mind. Having more savings means you’re more likely to be able to pay for unexpected emergencies without incurring more debt.
You’ll also go a long way toward building your retirement fund by taking advantage of compound interest. If you start by contributing $1,000 a month to a retirement account at age 30 or younger, your savings could be worth more than $1 million by the time you retire.
If you save $1,000 at the end of every month and put it in a high-yield savings account that pays 5% interest (compounded daily), you’ll have nearly $70,000 in savings in five years. Do this for 10 years and you’ll have over $157,000.
Finding an extra $1,000 a month might also mean you can worry less about your prescriptions or medical expenses, treat yourself to a vacation every few years, or cut out that second job that’s taking you away from spending time with your family.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
