Build financial confidence by saving automatically
America Saves Week 2023, February 27–March 3, is an annual call to action for everyday Americans to commit to saving successfully.
LSS Financial Counseling is among the participating organizations that are encouraging everyone nationwide to set a goal for savings and make a plan to maintain or improve financial wellness.
This blog was written by America Saves for the America Saves Week initiative coordinated by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA).
Do you ever find yourself wondering if there is a magic formula to saving?
Does it seem that everyone around you knows the secret to saving successfully except you? It’s not unusual to feel unconfident about saving, no matter how much money you earn. Confidence doesn’t necessarily come with having a lot of money. Rather, it comes from building healthy financial habits and using the resources you know are available to you.
A great place to start building your financial confidence is to set up automatic savings. When you are saving a dedicated amount of money every week, every month, or on some other regular interval, you can begin to feel a sense of control over your saving habits. Whether you are saving just $5 or $10 a month or more, it’s the fact that you’re doing it automatically that is important.
Saving automatically is the formula for successful saving for anyone — including you. Getting started doesn’t have to be a hurdle, either. Consider which one of the following two strategies would work best for you, and follow the steps below.
- Instructing your employer to split your directly-deposited paycheck into two or more accounts at your financial institution, with one account being a dedicated savings account.
- Directing your financial institution to automatically transfer money into your savings account.
For option #1, contact your employer’s payroll department to set up split deposit, telling them how much you want to save per paycheck, and follow their instructions.
If you want to use option #2, contact your bank or credit union, telling them when and how much money you want automatically transferred into your savings account.
By utilizing either of these automated saving methods, you can feel confident about building a healthy habit of saving. Imagine how good it will feel to see money accumulating in your savings account on a consistent basis. Instead of that voice in your head telling you that saving is hard, you’ll be able to say with confidence, “I am saving regularly!”
LSS Financial Counseling can work with you to develop a plan to increase your savings that fits your individual financial situation. Our certified, nonjudgmental financial counselors are available for free, confidential appointments. Call 888.577.2227 to schedule a phone, virtual or in-person appointment, or get your support online.