Most of us have good intentions when it comes to saving money, but it can be a challenge to follow through. To achieve long-term financial security, developing regular savings habits is key.
Here are some tips to increase your savings:
ROUND UP AND SAVE
Did you know that you can automatically round up your daily purchases to the nearest dollar and funnel the extra pennies into savings? TCU’s Everyday Savings option lets members turn those small amounts into financial returns over time, without even thinking about it.
ON TIME, ALL THE TIME
It goes without saying that we should pay bills on time, but every now and then we get caught up in the busyness of life and miss a payment. Enroll in TCU’s online bill pay and set up automatic payments to have peace of mind that all your bills will be paid on time and that you’ll avoid any additional interest charges and late fees.
CUT OUT CABLE
By cutting the cord, you could save over $100 per month. If you have the internet, you have many streaming-service options that most likely stream the cable and premium channels you love for a lot less.
GET CREATIVE
Hanging out with friends and family or enjoying a date night doesn’t have to break the bank. Invest some time into seeking out fun experiences to share. Take a walk, go antiquing, host a game night or a cookout. For date nights, switch off babysitting with friends who also have kids.
FILL UP AT HOME
Caffeinate and hydrate for less by brewing your own coffee to go and fill up a large reusable water bottle before hitting the road. If you’re spending $5 a day on beverages during the work week, that adds up to $1,300 a year that you could save!
SAY YES TO REWARDS
Typically, checking accounts don’t pay interest. TCU’s Ultimate Checking, on the other hand, offers 3.25 percent APY* on balances up to $10,000**, meaning you could earn as much as an additional $325 a year with this account. TCU Visa® Signature Rewards credit card also offers 1.5 points per dollar on qualifying purchases. Points are easily redeemable for cash, merchandise, travel or gift cards.
SNIFF OUT SALES
Look at your grocery store’s weekly mailer or website to see what’s on sale and make a meal plan before you go shopping. When you come prepared, your shopping trip will be more purposeful, which amounts to saved money and time. Many grocery store apps also offer digital coupons that you can attach to your shopper’s account, adding more to your wallet after checkout.
With a few tweaks to your spending priorities, you’ll be on the fast track to saving money in no time.