{"id":45,"date":"2017-02-18T19:51:32","date_gmt":"2017-02-18T19:51:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.aupairinamerica.com\/dev\/?page_id=45"},"modified":"2017-05-04T17:56:21","modified_gmt":"2017-05-04T17:56:21","slug":"8-simple-ways-to-save-money","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.aupairinamerica.com\/dev\/connections\/8-simple-ways-to-save-money\/","title":{"rendered":"February Connections ~ 7 simple ways to save money~"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

 <\/p>\n

Sometimes the hardest thing about saving money is just getting started. It can be difficult to figure out simple ways to save money and how to use your savings to pursue your financial goals. This step-by-step guide to money-saving habits can help you develop a realistic savings plan.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Record your expenses<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The first step to saving money is to figure out how much you spend. Keep track of all your expenses\u2014that means every coffee, newspaper and snack you buy. Ideally, you can account for every penny. Once you have your data, organize the numbers by categories, such as gas, groceries and mortgage, and total each amount. Consider using your credit card or bank statements to help you with this. If you bank online, you may be able to filter your statements to easily break down your spending.<\/p>\n

    Tip:\u00a0<\/strong>Considering savings a regular expense, similar to groceries, is a great way to reinforce good savings habits.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Make a budget<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Once you have an idea of what you spend in a month, you can begin to organize your recorded expenses into a workable budget. Your budget should outline how your expenses measure up to your income\u2014so you can plan your spending and limit overspending. In addition to your monthly expenses, be sure to factor in expenses that occur regularly but not every month, such as car maintenance. Find more information about\u00a0creating a budget<\/a>.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Plan on saving money<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Now that you\u2019ve made a budget, create a savings category within it. Try to put away 10\u201315 percent of your income as savings. If your expenses are so high that you can\u2019t save that much, it might be time to cut back. To do so, identify non-essentials that you can spend less on, such as entertainment and dining out. We\u2019ve put together\u00a0ideas for saving money every day<\/a>\u00a0as well as\u00a0cutting back on your fixed monthly expenses<\/a>.<\/p>\n

        Tip:\u00a0<\/strong>Considering savings a regular expense, similar to groceries, is a great way to reinforce good savings habits.<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

        4. Choose something to save for<\/h2>\n

        One of the best ways to save money is to set a goal. Start by thinking of what you might want to save for\u2014anything from a down payment for a house to a vacation\u2014then figure out how long it might take you to save for it. If you need help figuring out a time frame, try Bank of America\u2019s\u00a0savings goal calculator.<\/p>\n

        Here are some examples of short- and long-term goals:<\/p>\n

        Short-term (1\u20133 years)<\/p>\n