10 Ways to Kickstart Your Savings Plan This Year

The holidays are over, the New Years resolutions have been made (and maybe already broken), and now reality is setting in- it’s time to get serious about your finances.

If saving money was one of your goals for the year, you’re not alone. But let’s be honest: saving can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re already stretched thin. Where do you start? How do you make real progress without feeling deprived?

Good news: you don’t need a six-figure salary or extreme frugality to start saving- you just need a simple, actionable plan.

So, let’s get real. Here are 10 ways to kickstart your savings plan this year (without making it feel like a punishment).

1. Set a Clear Goal (Because Vague Goals Get Vague Results)

Saying, “I want to save more money this year,” is like saying, “I want to get in shape.” Cool. But what does that actually mean?

Instead, set a specific, measurable savings goal:

•  “I will save $1,000 for emergencies in the next three months.”

• “I will save $5,000 for a vacation by December.”

• “I will put $500 per month toward my future house fund.”

The clearer your goal, the easier it is to make a plan (and actually follow through).

2. Pay Yourself First (Because Future You Deserves It)

If you wait until the end of the month to save whatever’s left, you’ll never save anything.

Solution? Pay yourself first.

Set up an automatic transfer to your savings account as soon as you get paid- before you even have a chance to spend it. Treat savings like a bill that must be paid, no excuses.

3. Start with a $1,000 Emergency Fund

If you don’t have a safety net, every small emergency turns into a crisis. Car trouble? Credit card. Unexpected bill? Credit card. See the problem?

Before you do anything else, save $1,000 as fast as possible. Sell stuff, pick up extra hours, cut unnecessary expenses—just get that first cushion in place. Once you’re debt-free, you can build it up to 3- 6 months of expenses.

4. Cut One Unnecessary Expense (Just One!)

A lot of people think saving money means giving up everything fun in life. Not true. You don’t have to live on rice and beans- you just have to be intentional.

Pick one expense to cut this month. Maybe it’s:

• A subscription you don’t use

• Eating out twice a week

• That expensive coffee habit

Then, redirect that money into your savings account. Even if it’s just $50 a month, that’s $600 a year-without making a drastic lifestyle change.

5. Use the 24-Hour Rule for Spending

Ever bought something, then regretted it later? That’s impulse spending, and it’s the enemy of your savings plan.

Here’s a trick: Before making any non-essential purchase, wait 24 hours.

Chances are, the initial excitement will fade, and you’ll realize you didn’t actually need that $100 gadget after all. Instead, put that money toward your savings goal.

6. Use Cash for Certain Categories

Want to control your spending without feeling like you’re on a strict budget? Try using cash for problem areas like:

• Groceries

• Dining out

• Fun money

Withdraw a set amount at the beginning of the month. When the cash is gone, you’re done spending. No overspending, no regrets, just a simple way to stay on track.

7. Start a Side Hustle (Because More Money = More Savings)

If saving money feels impossible because your income is already stretched thin, the solution isn’t just cutting back- it’s earning more.

Consider starting a side hustle:

• Sell items you no longer use

• Offer freelance services (writing, graphic design, tutoring, etc.)

• Drive for Uber, deliver food, or do gig work

Even an extra $200 a month can fast-track your savings goals without requiring major lifestyle changes.

8. Challenge Yourself with a No-Spend Month

Think of this as a financial detox.

For one month, cut out all non-essential spending- no takeout, no extra shopping, no random Amazon purchases. Only spend on essentials (rent, groceries, gas, bills).

At the end of the month, put all the money you saved into your savings account. You’ll be surprised how much you were mindlessly spending before!

9. Use a Separate High-Yield Savings Account

If your savings account is too easy to access, you’ll be tempted to dip into it for things that aren’t emergencies.

Here’s the fix: Open a separate savings account- preferably a high-yield account.

• It keeps your savings out of sight, so you’re less likely to spend it.

• It earns more interest than a regular savings account (free money!).

• It makes your savings feel like something special- not just “extra money” sitting in your checking account.

10. Track Your Progress and Celebrate Wins

Saving money doesn’t have to be boring- it should feel rewarding!

• Track your progress in a notebook or savings app.

• Set milestones (e.g., every $500 saved = a mini reward).

• Celebrate small wins- just not by spending money!

Seeing progress keeps you motivated, and motivated people save more money.

Final Thoughts: Small Steps = Big Results

Saving money isn’t about perfection- it’s about progress.

You don’t have to do all 10 of these things at once. Just pick one or two and start today. Because small, consistent changes add up to massive results over time.

What’s one step you’re taking this month to jumpstart your savings? Let me know in the comments!