How To Save
Practical ways to save money consistently even when it feels hard
TL;DR - How to Save 📋
Pay yourself first and treat saving like a non-negotiable bill
Automate it so you don’t rely on willpower
Start small and build the habit before increasing the amount
Use separate pots for different goals (emergency fund, holidays, house, etc.)
Review and adjust regularly — consistency is key
The Biggest Mistake Most People Make 🚫
Normally, people try to save whatever is left at the end of the month.
However, the reality is that there is rarely anything left at the end of the month as life expands to fill the money available.
There is a solution though and that is to reverse the order in which you save.
Pay Yourself First 🥇
What this means is that you consider saving as a priority expense instead of an afterthought. As soon as you get paid, move money into savings before you start spending.
Automate Everything ⚙️
Set up a standing order or automatic transfer for the day after payday. When saving happens automatically, you remove the daily decision and the temptation to skip it.
Start Smaller Than You Think 🌱
It is far better to save £50 every month consistently than to aim for £300 in one go and fail. Once the habit is locked in, you can increase the amount if it's within reach after you know your numbers.
Use Different Pots for Different Goals 🗂️
Keeping all your savings in one big account or pot makes it easier to raid them when you're not thinking clearly.
Therefore, it's best to have separate pots (or different accounts) for:
Holidays
House deposit / big goals
Sinking funds (car, Christmas, etc.)
This creates mental boundaries and reduces the chance of spending money earmarked for something else.
Make It Visible (But Not Too Accessible) 👀
Check your savings balances regularly (once per month) so you see progress and feel motivated.
But you should avoid keeping large emergency or goal savings in your everyday current account where they’re too easy to spend.
These should sit in another account, maybe with another bank that you don't have the app for on your phone and it's a bit more difficult to access.
Cut the Easy Wins First ✂️
Before making big lifestyle changes, look for low-effort savings that you can act on first such as:
Unused subscriptions
Expensive phone contracts
Daily coffee / takeaway habits
Insurance renewals (shop around)
Bank account fees or packaged accounts you don’t use
These may feel small and inconsequential but small leaks add up - plug the holes!
Increase Savings When Your Income Rises 📈
Whenever you get a pay rise, bonus, or side-income boost, your savings rate should also be increased by a portion of it.
For example, if you were already saving 5% of your take-home pay, keep it at 5% after a pay increase - the amount you will save in £ will naturally be bigger as it is 5% of a larger amount!
This is one of the most powerful habits you can build.
Common Obstacles (and How to Handle Them) 🧱
As you are going through your own finances (or even reading this page), you may have had thoughts that put up barriers to saving, such as the ones below. However, it's important to counter them so you can be more confident:
“I don’t earn enough” - then start tiny. Even £10–20 per month will build the habit.
“Something always comes up” - this is exactly what an emergency fund is for.
“I’ll start next month” - don't put off for tomorrow what you can start today! Start with whatever is left of this month and go from there.
“I deserve a treat” - absolutely but you should build treats into your lifestyle spending so they don’t derail savings goals.
Action Steps ✅
Now you have learnt a bit more on how to save, here's your homework:
Decide on a realistic amount you can save each month (even if it’s small) - download the free Track & Win Toolkit below
Set up an automatic transfer for the day after payday.
Open separate savings pots or accounts for your main goals.
Review your subscriptions and cancel anything you don’t fully use.
After your next pay rise or bonus, increase your savings amount.
Check your progress once a month and adjust if needed.
It's really important to take away the barriers to saving so that you can give yourself confidence and motivation to reach your savings goals - you've got this!
