NATIONAL SAVINGS DAY
National Savings Day sets aside October 12th to recognize those who value the act of saving and to provide simple steps to show getting started isn’t as difficult as it may seem.
#NationalSavingsDay
Many of us already save every day. We’ve been doing it for a long time. We collect sentimental items because they mean something to us and they evoke emotion. These objects come in all forms. For some, it might be a baseball glove that reminds you of playing catch with your dad. Another person may save an engagement ring passed down through generation. Others save boxes full of t-shirts representing years of concerts.
We save lots of things for extended periods of time, and they accumulate quite well.
Transferring this concept to a portion of our paycheck every month isn’t that far of a stretch. Consider the savings account your junk drawer or the sock basket. Only when a savings account is overflowing, you won’t be so annoyed.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL SAVINGS DAY
Open a savings account if you don’t already have one. Save a portion of your paycheck each week. Set it up with your account to be automatically deposited. You’ll never miss it. Before you know it, you’ll have a portion saved up. Setting goals helps, too. Share your tips for saving money. Visit with a savings professional for more ways to save.
Use #NationalSavingsDay to be a part of the conversation on social media.
NATIONAL SAVINGS DAY HISTORY
Capital One founded National Savings Day to empower people to feel more confident about their relationship with money by educating them on how saving money can be a simple, straightforward experience that fits more naturally into their lives and existing behaviors.
The Registrar at National Day Calendar® proclaimed National Savings Day to be observed annually beginning in 2017.
Savings FAQ
Q. How can I begin tracking my spending?
A. Tracking your spending is a great way to see where all your money is going. By the end of one month, you’ll have a pretty good picture of what spending needs to stop to begin saving. There are several ways to track your spending that will help you to better manage your money.
1. Use an app. Some banks include a built-in app that will track each purchase made with your debit or credit card. Each purchase is placed into a category and you can see where most of your money goes.
2. Write it all down. Track every purchase in a notebook. You can include your monthly bills, groceries, and gas. Don’t forget your miscellaneous purchases.
3. Use cash. Divide your income into expense categories. Label envelopes with each expense and place the appropriate (estimated for certain expenses) amount of cash into each envelope. When the money is gone from the envelope, it’s gone. It’s a great way to learn where you’ve been overspending.
4. Create a budget on a spreadsheet. Similar to the envelopes, you track your income and spending in a debit/credit spreadsheet. Each column is assigned a spending category. Don’t forget to create a savings column.
Q. How can I start saving money?
A. Whether you save $10 or $100 a month, those savings add up over time. Try these saving tips to get started.
1. If you don’t have a savings account, open one. Many banks have auto-transfer options between checking and saving accounts. Schedule an automatic transfer from your checking to your savings account on your paydays. Then forget about it. Your savings account will grow faster than you expect.
2. Check your bank account for automatic subscriptions. You might be paying for services you don’t even use anymore. Cancel those subscriptions and each month, place the cost of those now canceled subscriptions into a savings account.
3. Reduce your energy costs.
Whether you leave the windows open longer in the spring before letting the AC kick in or keeping the thermostat set a degree or two lower during the winter, you’ll find the savings in your next energy bill. Other ways to save money on energy include:
- Make one trip. Make a list for shopping and get it all done at once. You’ll save on gas.
- Seal gaps around doors and windows. If you can afford it, replace old leaky windows, too.
- Turn off lights, fans and electronics when not in use. Some of them can even be unplugged to further reduce usage.
- Switch to LED light bulbs. They are more energy-efficient.
4. Don’t use credit cards to pay your bills, especially if you don’t pay your card off every month. The interest adds up over time and costs you multiple times what the item you purchased was worth.
5. Eat out less. Cook more. Cooking at home is a lot less expensive than dining out. Reduce the frequency by at least half. Even if you only eat out once a week, reducing it to twice a month will still save you money.
6. Switch phone plans. If you own your cellular phone and your contract is close to expiring, today’s phones can be transferred to any service. Shop around for the best deal, including pre-paid services.
