Saving Made Simple

Whether you just started or just finished high school (or you’re somewhere between the two), it’s time to start working toward your financial independence. Saving money is a great place to start. Follow these simple tips and start saving today!

Create a Budget – Create a budget to guide your saving and your spending patterns. A budget will help you see how much money you have coming in (through paychecks, for example) and how much you have going out (for a car payment, for instance). Click here for tips on setting up your budget.

Learn about Investing – Investing can help you earn more money, and a good investment strategy should be part of your retirement plan. Retirement may be the furthest thing from your mind when you start working, but saving even a small amount while you’re young can grow into a sizeable nest egg. If your employer offers a 401(k) plan and matches a percentage of the money you contribute, try to contribute at least enough to take advantage of the match. If you don’t, you’ll be throwing away free money. A traditional or Roth IRA (Individual Retirement Account) is an alternative if your employer doesn’t offer a 401(k). Click here for some information about investing.

Pay Yourself First – Get in the habit of setting aside a specific amount of money each month for saving or investing. Even if you’re working part-time, you should save some of your money. Don’t fall into the trap of paying everything else first, with the intent to save what’s left over. One effective strategy is to sign up to have funds automatically deducted from your paycheck or checking account and deposited into a savings or investment plan. Click here to learn more about the convenience services offered by credit unions.

Preserve your Credit – If you have a credit card, you should always pay your bills on time. Establishing credit when you’re young is a good idea—and having a good credit report is important when it comes to borrowing money for a car or a home. You might not make those larger purchases for a few years, but actions you take now can affect your credit rating. Click here for tips on handling credit.

Save Change – If you get change when you buy something, save the change. You might be surprised at how much you can save. Some people save all of their change, and then use the money to help pay for a vacation. It sounds almost too simple, but your change can add up—if you let it.