I need to start saving money. But how?!

Many talk about doing it, but few actually get started let alone continue stacking. Let’s face it: saving money can feel like an uphill battle, especially when life keeps throwing curveballs with the wind of inflation. 

Here’s a stat to put things in perspective: 57% of Americans can’t handle a $400 emergency without borrowing or selling something.

I’m drilling this down from the $1000 stat that you may see because it’s crazy how $50 or $100 can rattle someone’s budget let alone reality. 

But it doesn’t have to be this way. What if saving money could feel fun, rewarding, and (dare I say) empowering? I mean, I was hyped when I saved my first stack ($1000 in 90 days); listen - I needed to mooovvve. You’ve probably heard and seen people making their stacks happen with challenges, which is cute - but do they work? Yes, if you work them. 

Saving challenges aren’t just for New Year’s resolutions or quick wins. They’re about building habits, flexing your money muscles, and proving to yourself that progress is always possible—no matter your starting point. For you to make a shift with something, you have to be challenged in some way. You’re already finding your money (especially budgeting and saving) hard, so let’s shift your “hard”.  It’s only hard when you get started, but gets better when you find the formula that works with your goals and your wallet.

What Are You Saving For? Define The Goal

Before we get into the savings goals, we have to understand the basics. You’ve heard the saying, “Define your why”, well this is key to unlocking getting started (or even staying with it ) when it comes to saving. Saving without a clear purpose can feel like running a race without a finish line. Before you dive into the steps, get laser-focused on why you’re saving:

• Dream home? Start building that down payment fund.

• Reliable car? Save toward an upgrade without the stress of financing.

• Emergency buffer? Start small and work up to 3–6 months of expenses. Start with saving 1 month of expenses and developing a plan for various types of emergencies you could face.

• Big upgrade or career move? Savings can help you level up.

Understanding your “why” gives every dollar a mission and will allow you to make room in your wallet - no matter how it may seen. Many people get started saving change then it changes how they see saving. Most people come to me saying they can’t’ find the money to save, let’s get into how to find it to fund your savings. 

Step 1: Audit Your Wallet

Ah, the saying that applies to so many things when it comes to your money. Think of this as a checking your screen time. I even suggest people doing this before they start budgeting. Before saving, you need to know where your money is really going.

1. Grab your statements: Review your bank and credit card activity over the last 1–3 months. Also, check to see if your budget is aligned to what you’re swiping and tapping. If not, might be time for a new budget.. 

2. Spot the potholes or leaks: Forgotten subscriptions, impulse purchases, or daily coffee runs—find areas where you can cut back.

3. Find ‘found’ money: Cancel an unused gym membership? Switched to a cheaper streaming plan? That’s extra cash ready to go straight into savings.

Step 2: Choose A Savings Challenge

Saving challenges gamify the process and make it easier to stick with. Pick one that matches your goals and lifestyle:

• 52-Week Challenge: Start with $1 the first week, $2 the second, and so on, to save $1,378 in a year. Perfect for an emergency fund or big purchases.

• No-Spend Challenge: Go a week or month without non-essential spending and funnel the savings toward your goal. There’s even a “Low Spend” Challenge, I wrote about both here. 

• Round-Up Challenge: Use apps like Acorns or bank features to round up purchases and stash the spare change. Great for building a vacation or upgrade fund.

• "Found Money" Challenge: Save 50% of any unexpected cash—bonuses, refunds, or side hustle earnings.

• Cash Envelope Reset: Allocate cash to specific categories. Whatever’s left at the end of the month goes into savings. 

No matter if you do a challenge like these or just start saving a specific amount, when you’re half way throught said challenge, make sure that you aren’t just keeping that money in a jar or in a shoe box. The real trick is to grow your money while you’re saving it. One of the best ways to grow it is within an HYSA.

Step 3: Start Small, But Stay Consistent

I had this course a while ago for those who wanted to start investing called “The Scale Is In The Start” what I meant by that was that if you start with what you have to build towards what you want - you do it to build the muscle. Understanding and finding a way within your means will help you when you get to your “more” no matter how much that is. You don’t need to aim for $10K right away. Start with a manageable goal, like $100, $250, or $500. Use the Audit of your Wallet to set the pace for how much that looks like, so you can create a “bill” to move that money automatically by setting autotransfers. Here’s how that looks: 

1. Open a HYSA (High-Yield Savings Account): Keep your money separate and earn interest while saving. Some of my favorites are Ally, Marcus, and here’s some more and a YouTube about HYSAs. 

2. Set micro-goals: Save $10 a week. Once it feels easy, bump it to $20. Think of it like working out—progress happens over time. Move your needle, as you gamify your savings. 

Step 4: Celebrate Every Win

Saving is about momentum. Every milestone you hit, no matter how small, brings you closer to your goal.

• Track your progress: Use an app, spreadsheet, or even a physical savings chart to visualize your growth.

• Reward yourself: Hit a milestone? Treat yourself to a small, budget-friendly reward like a coffee date or a new book.

Step 5: Pivot. What Happens If…

You Don’t Hit Your Savings Goal?

Hey, life happens—and that’s okay. The key is not to see this as a failure but as an opportunity to pivot. Here’s how:

1. Reassess Your Goal: Was the amount realistic, or did unexpected expenses get in the way? Adjust your timeline or break the goal into smaller, more manageable chunks.

2. Find A Win: Even if you saved half of what you planned, that’s still progress. Focus on what you did accomplish instead of what didn’t happen.

3. Try A New Approach: Maybe the method you chose didn’t work for your lifestyle or wallet. If weekly transfers didn’t cut it, try automating biweekly deposits tied to your paycheck. Listen, you are learning your money formula - it could take some tweaking.

4. Keep The Habit Alive: Even if you can only save $5 or $10 for now, keep the habit going. Saving is like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets.

Saving money might feel overwhelming at first, but it doesn’t have to be. This post outlined  it all down into manageable steps, starting with understanding where your money is going. By auditing your wallet and spotting those money leaks, you’re setting the foundation for intentional saving. From there, it’s all about starting small, building momentum through savings challenges, and making progress one dollar at a time.

But what if you “win”? Good thinking. 

You Hit Your Savings Goal?

First off, congratulations! Hitting your goal is no small feat, so take a moment to celebrate that win. Now, let’s put that money to work:

1. Be Intentional: Decide what this money is for—whether it’s building your emergency fund, putting a down payment on something big, or paying down debt.

2. Level Up: Don’t stop now! Once you’ve hit one goal, set your sights on the next. Build on that momentum to keep growing your financial cushion.

3. Reward Yourself: It’s okay to treat yourself (responsibly) for sticking to the plan. Maybe a nice dinner, a new book, or something small that sparks joy.

Step 6: Make Your Money Work For You

Once you hit your goal, be intentional about what happens next.

• Emergency fund: Your safety net for the unexpected.

• Debt repayment: Use savings to knock out high-interest debt faster.

• Future investments: Grow your money through brokerage accounts or retirement funds. While you can start with fractional shares, as you “grow up’ withyour money, you might want to invest in bigger ways. 

Wax On. Wax Off. Saving is a habit, and the more you do it, the stronger your financial foundation becomes. It’s right up there with budgeting and one of the critical part of your financial plan

But let’s also talk about where to keep your savings so they’re working as hard as you are:

• CDs (Certificates of Deposit): If you’ve got cash you don’t need to access for a while, CDs are a great way to lock it in for the long term and earn a solid APY.

• HYSA (High-Yield Savings Account): This is the sweet spot for growth while still having access when you need it. Perfect for your bigger goals like an emergency fund or a down payment.

• Regular Savings Account: Keep a small portion here—about $100 is a good start—especially if the maintenance fee is under $5 monthly. While the APY might not be the best, these accounts give you quicker access to your funds in a pinch.

Whether your goal is saving for a down payment, upgrading your car, or simply starting an emergency fund, you now have the tools to make it happen. And let’s not forget—life will throw its share of surprises. If you don’t hit the mark, reassess, adjust, and keep moving forward. On the flip side, when you do crush that goal, make that money work for you—whether it’s adding it to a sinking fund, knocking out some debt, or investing in your future self.

Saving isn’t just about reaching a financial milestone; it’s about proving to yourself that you can take control of your money and build the life you want. So, celebrate your wins, learn from your detours, and most importantly, stay consistent. Because no matter where you’re starting from, progress is always worth the effort. You’re building more than savings—you’re building financial confidence, one step at a time.