9 Ways to Start Saving Money Now!

By Ann Sullivan

If you’re among the many who live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to make ends meet, you probably have a hard time saving money. If the thought of saving seems impossible, there are ways to get started that will not be so overwhelming. The point is, however, to get started! After all, having a cushion tucked away will give you peace of mind and security. It will also be necessary when you approach retirement age. It’s important to start now and don’t procrastinate. Here are nine ways that can help you get thinking along the right track to start saving money now!

1) Track Your Spending

The first step to saving money is knowing how much you spend weekly and monthly. Start where you are right now and make a list of your expenses. Begin with things that recur monthly, like rent or mortgage, insurance, phone, utilities, etc. Those are generally fixed amounts that fluctuate less frequently than other expenses. From there, look at what you spend on groceries, gas, and other necessities that may not be consistently the same amount. Take the average over a month’s time and put that on your list. From there, look at what your flexible spending purchase are. That’s those purchases that don’t happen with any certain regularity. It also includes impulse or splurge items. That will also give you an idea of where you can cut down or eliminate the expense and save the money instead.