How to Create a Savings Plan that REALLY Works

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How to Create a Savings Plan That Really Works - Columbia SC Moms Blog

Hello America Saves Week (February 22-27). It’s not as sexy as Mardi Gras. Not as festive as St. Patrick’s Day. Not as joyous as Easter. But, as the American family wages remain stagnant while costs go up, savings is something to be celebrated. This will be the first year that I celebrate America Saves Week and this is how I plan on putting more away.

Step 1: Decide what you are going to save for

Saving money for the sake of saving money doesn’t work because there is no goal to work toward. No matter how small, quantifying your goal will help you achieve it. The process will be different for different goals. Some people want to save for retirement. Others may want to save for education or their first home. We are committing to putting more money away in our 529 plan for our children’s education.

Tell us what you are saving for! #imsavingfor my children’t education via a 529 plan.

Step 2: Put a plan in place

The easiest way to save is through automatic deduction, whether a savings account, IRA or 529 plan. It’s true that many people have absolutely no money left over after paying bills and maybe automatic deduction isn’t possible. If this is the case, consider trying automatic deduction at home. Designate a change jar and all spare change laying around the house, exchanged in small purchases or given to the kids as a token gift, goes in the jar. It’s not the amount saved that is important, it’s the commitment to the act of saving that matters. We will be using an automatic deduction so we will never be tempted to spend the money we won’t see.

Step 3: Look for additional ways to save

Many moms are very resourceful at couponing and sticking to a strict budget on food. There may be other ways to save big. Consider cutting cable. If your cell phone contract is up, call your provider and speak to a retention specialist who can offer you cost-cutting savings. Call your homeowners, renters or car insurance company to see if you qualify for any additional discounts. Getting quotes from a few competitors may encourage your policy holders to find additional savings to keep your business. Cutting costs IS savings!

Talking
Call cell phone providers and insurance carriers to see if you qualify for additional savings.

Step 4: Maintain momentum

Like all long term goals, it’s easy to fall off the momentum band wagon. Check out this page for tools and resources to help hold you accountable and on track towards your goals. You can join Tweet ChatsFacebook events and free webinars to help you get started and stay on the right path.

Ready to commit to savings? Tell us what you are #imsavingfor and enter the America Saves Week photo contest! Found a great way to bank some savings for your family? Share your savings strategy in the comments section!

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Kristen McGuire
Kristen is a wife, mother and full-time special education teacher. Born in Connecticut, she has lived in Washington, DC, North Carolina and now happily calls Columbia home. Her children, the tortoise and the hare, were adopted from South Korea and are now 7 and 4. This “Dawson’s Creek” enthusiast was convinced if she scored a spot as an extra on the show, a famous actor would fall in love with her and whisk her away to pursue a life of parties and Prada. She scored the spot, but not the actor. With a chronic case of Wanderlust, she can be found day-tripping throughout the Carolinas and planning excursions to visit family across the US. She could be a contestant on "World's Worst Cook" as she has ruined instant pudding not once...but twice.

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