Do you spend money faster than you can make it? If you feel this way, you’re not alone. That said, ideas on money saving challenges could be just what you need, as we could all use some extra money, especially in these trying times.

According to Forbes Advisor, over 75% of Americans are concerned about their family’s financial security. And when you compare the increase in the cost of living versus the real wage index, you can see why people might be interested in saving.

By setting financial goals and partaking in challenges, you can set yourself up for financial success.

For example, a monthly savings challenge can help you build an emergency fund, save for a vacation, or save a down payment on a new home. All it takes is a little motivation for saving money and some great challenges to get started.

What is a money saving challenge?

As the name implies, a money saving challenge can remind you and keep you focused on doing what’s necessary to achieve your goal.

In addition, they are very easy to do. You simply save a set amount of money, depending on the rules of the particular challenge.

For example, in the $5 challenge, you save every $5 bill you get. There are many fun money challenges to choose from to help you achieve your savings goals and become better with money. Soon, saving part of your paycheck will become second nature.

Why money saving challenges are a great idea

Money saving challenges are an effective way to motivate you to save your money. Most importantly, it makes saving money fun and makes your goal easier to attain.

In addition, a money challenge is an excellent way to build your emergency fund when you have no savings.

You can use a monthly challenge to save for your dream vacation, put a down payment on a new home, or start that beautiful designer handbag collection you’ve been longing for.

18 money saving challenges to try today

Having extra money can relieve stress and help you achieve your financial goals. By participating in these ideas, you can start building a new successful habit and get that savings account built up fast.

Further, you could even open up a dedicated savings club account just for your challenges.

When picking a challenge, be sure to pick one that lines up with your goals and that you will be able to stick with. It needs to be a realistic goal to set you up for success and prevent you from getting discouraged and quitting.

There are challenges for eating out, saving $5 bills, saving pennies, and more. So, no matter your financial goals, these 18 money saving challenges are sure to get you the results you desire.

1. The 6 month savings challenge

The 6 month savings challenge is easy to follow because the amount you save is already planned out for you. Each week, you save the allotted amount scheduled.

The first week is only $3, week 2 is $7, and it gradually goes up in increments each week. By the end of the 26 week challenge, you will save $1378!

2. 30 days to master your spending challenge

The no spend challenge can save you some serious cash and help you stop over spending.

So with this challenge, you commit to a specific time frame, in this case a month, and only spend money on necessities. The rules are simple:

Only buy essentials

You can only spend money on essentials such as rent, gas, and groceries. It’s important to still buy the things you need to have a healthy lifestyle when doing the money saving challenges.

Don’t buy non-essentials

You cannot spend money on eating out, shopping sprees, coffee, or anything considered non-essential. Anything that isn’t a bill or basic expense must wait until later.

Once you get started, you’ll be surprised at how many non-essential items can sneak into your daily spending habits.

Lastly, track this monthly money challenge with a spending journal for maximum results.

3. 30-day meal planning challenge

Eating out is expensive. The average amount spent eating out every day is $9.22. That’s $3,365 per year when you do the math!

With this challenge, you pack your lunch 5x per week for 30 days by leveraging meal planning.

In addition, this also helps prevent wasted groceries and adds a significant amount to your savings. Plus, you can use ingredients you like and avoid unhealthy foods if you want to.

4. $5 savings challenge

The $5 challenge is a fun challenge that stacks up the cash fast. Over 90 days, every time you get a $5 bill, you save it.

So, if you don’t use cash, for every extra $5 you have in your checking account, transfer it to your savings.

To prevent you from spending that extra cash, get a cute piggy bank, container, or money envelope that makes putting the money in easy but taking it out hard. It’s a bit random, but that’s what makes this money saving challenge fun!

If you opt for envelopes, consider the 100 day envelope challenge or the 200 envelope challenge!

5. Create a Clever Girl Fund challenge

A Clever Girl Fund is an essential money challenge. The fund can be used for unplanned life emergencies such as job loss, your car breaking down, or urgent home repair. It can also be used to establish sinking funds for upcoming expenses.

The challenge will help you determine how much you need to save, help you with setting up the right savings account, and keep you on top of making consistent deposits.

To do this challenge, designate an account for saving, and then try to save $1000 to start. You can save $333 per month and save your money quickly, or take more or less time if you want.

Take as long as you need to build your Clever Girl Fund. Just make sure you have a plan in place. And after you get to $1000, consider adding more for extra security.

6. Find extra money challenge

You can find the money you didn’t know you had with some tips and tricks. Simply look for extra money in various places.

In addition, this money challenge will inspire you to get creative. For instance, cashing in all those spare coins in your wallet, car, purse, or lying around the house.

Or spending less than your grocery budget and putting the extra money in your savings account. You can also declutter your home and sell items you don’t use anymore for extra cash. The whole idea is to challenge yourself with ways to save that you ordinarily won’t do.

7. Penny saving challenge

If you don’t think that saving pennies will help build your savings, you’re wrong! The penny challenge is like the 26-week challenge and is super easy to follow.

Firstly, you start with one penny, and each day, your amount increases over 365 days. So you save a total of $667.95 in one year! Remember, every penny leads to a dollar!

8. Christmas club challenge

These classic savings accounts are making a comeback, and they are the perfect way to save money to prepare for Christmas!

A Christmas Club Savings account is offered by certain banks to help you save money for Christmas.

However, you can also set it up on your own with a dedicated savings account.

Most importantly, you can use this account to help you save for whatever you want to purchase.

Typically, these accounts are available via credit unions. So when you open this account type, you’ll get a payment coupon book to make deposits with.

On November 1st, your funds will be transferred into your dedicated account. You cannot withdraw your funds from this account without a penalty, so it prevents you from being tempted to spend it during the challenge.

9. Coffee break challenge

A latte a day makes the cash go away! So say goodbye to Starbucks for this challenge.

The average cup of coffee costs $4.90. This adds up to over $1700 per year if you buy a cup every day, a pretty big chunk from most people’s salary!

With this monthly money challenge, you set up a piggy bank or money savings jar next to your coffee pot. You’ll then motivate yourself to make your own coffee. So each time you do, add that $4.90 (or the cost of your coffee) to your piggy bank!

After that, you can use those extra funds and buy a fancy coffee maker as a reward and use the rest to pay off debt or save.

10. Weather Wednesday saving challenge

The Weather Wednesday money challenge can bulk your bank account fast. Every Wednesday, you find out the highest temperature in your state, and you save that amount in dollars.

So, if it’s 80 degrees, you save $80 that week! The hotter it is, the more money you add to your weekly savings!

So for best results, do this during the summer months.

(Love Wednesdays? Check out our Wellness Wednesday ideas!)

11. The 30-day minimalism challenge

With a 30 day minimalism challenge, you basically get rid of something every day for 30 days. So, by focusing on getting rid of items, you are less focused on spending money.

In turn, this can save you a lot of money since you can sell the items you get rid of to earn some extra cash!

12. A 3 month savings challenge

There are different amounts of money you can save for the 3 month savings challenge based on your goals. You might choose to save $1000, $2000, or more or less than this.

The idea is to save a set amount per week or month and then reach your goal by the end of the three-month mark.

13. A 12 month savings challenge

A 12 month savings challenge is easy and gives you plenty of time to save up cash. For this 52-weeks money challenge, you’ll save a certain amount of money per week.

The challenge starts with a dollar, and each week it increases by another dollar. You’ll save $1378 by the year’s end of this 52-week challenge!

14. $20 saving challenge

If you’re looking to save up a small emergency fund over the course of a year, then the $20 challenge could be the perfect thing. Every week, you save $20 from your paycheck, and by the end of the year, you’ve put away $1040! Easy and effective.

It’s an especially good thing to try if you have a somewhat expensive purchase coming up that isn’t time-sensitive. Treating yourself to something like a luxury purse or a small home project would be great.

15. Cancel all the things challenge

Don’t worry – it’s more fun than it sounds! The cancellation challenge helps you save money by canceling every subscription, cable alternatives or streaming service, and monthly membership that you don’t use.

You won’t even notice there’s a difference in your everyday life, but you can easily save all the cash that you aren’t paying now. Your results will vary based on how many things you cancel, so be as frugal as possible to succeed!

16. Monthly savings challenge

The monthly savings challenge is a very flexible option for choosing your own savings goals. To start, decide how much money you want to save per month.

You can begin with the same amount every month and then change or increase it over time. Soon, you’ll reach your savings goals.

The best part about a monthly challenge is you get to choose the amount, and you can use any tactics you want to save money – from working extra hours to selling items around the house.

17. No new clothes challenge

For this money-saving challenge, you’ll save yourself money, time, and an overstuffed closet. The no new clothes challenge is simple but difficult – you don’t buy any new clothes for an entire year.

To turn this into a month-long challenge, take the average amount you spend on clothes per month and start saving or investing that amount instead. By the end of the year, you might be shocked at the progress you’ve made!

18. Monthly money challenge

If you want to keep being challenged and you like to win, determine to do a monthly money challenge every month for an entire year. The rules are simple: you must do a different challenge each month, and you must complete the one you pick.

It’s a great way to save a ton of money but in a fun way that still lets you keep your financial freedom.

Expert tip: Organize your money to maximize savings

To be able to save consistently, make sure you know how much you’re making and spending. A budget can help you keep track of your income and expenses. When you can see how every dollar of your money is being spent, you’ll know how much you can save every month. 

Then, you can set an amount to save each month and cut out expenses to make sure you reach your target. Once you’ve figured out that amount, set up automatic transfers to a savings account every week, month, or every time you get paid.

Voila! You’re saving without much effort.

The best times to do money saving challenges

It’s always a good time to start saving money, but sometimes it’s easier when you have a fresh start. Decide on your financial goals and pick a monthly savings challenge that will boost your savings for that time of year.

Here are some great times to start doing money saving challenges:

New year

January of the new year is a great time to start a monthly challenge, especially after the expenses that often come up at the end of the year in December.

You can make your money saving challenge your ultimate financial goal for the year. Decide how much you want to save by the same time next year and get started.

New season

A new season is another excellent opportunity to do money saving challenges. You can try a 3 month savings challenge for each season.

For example, you can jumpstart your summer vacation fund by beginning your challenge in the spring.

What are the potential obstacles to saving money?

Potential obstacles to saving, like impulse buying and overspending, could make it hard for you to save.

Saving can be a struggle as well if you’re not making enough money to cover all your expenses. The same is true if you don’t have a consistent income.

Additionally, having to pay off credit cards may prevent you from saving. 

But by keeping your focus and staying disciplined, you can overcome these obstacles. Plan ahead with your money so you aren’t tempted to impulse buy or overspend. Consider paying off debt and saving at the same time so you can make progress with both.

Additionally, a good budget can go a long way toward helping you afford both your expenses and savings.

Why is it challenging to save money?

Unfortunately, the cost of necessities like groceries, transportation, and housing has increased, making it challenging to save. For many, their income doesn’t free up much for saving. 

On top of that, it can be difficult to save money if you’re carrying any type of debt. On the other hand, saving can be challenging simply because you’re not used to it. 

Start small by doing a monthly money challenge to get into the habit. It gets easier over time as you see results. Reminding yourself what you want to achieve from saving money can be added motivation as well. If you don’t earn enough to save, consider picking up an extra job such as dog walking or freelance writing.

How can I save $5,000 in 3 months challenge?

Using the rules of the 3 month savings challenge, you’d need to save $416 per week for 12 weeks. Or $1,666 each month to achieve your goal of saving $5,000.

The idea of saving $5,000 in 3 months can be overwhelming. More so if you don’t have a high income or are paying off debt, but it’s doable. 

First, calculate how much you make each month. Next, look at your expenses.

Then, create a budget using a budgeting method. Plan how you’re going to spend every dollar you make in the next three months. Look where you can cut your spending and allocate all the extra money to savings.

In addition, you may need to find ways to make extra money, such as working overtime if that’s an option at your job. You can also start a side hustle. And don’t forget to look around your house, you may have household items that you can sell for quick cash.

Articles related to money saving challenges

If you love saving money or trying out new challenges and you want to find more ideas like these, check out these posts next!

• 100 Day Challenge Ideas: 11 Ideas To Reach Your Goals
• 28 Different 30 Day Challenge Ideas Everyone Should Try
• A 30-Day Minimalism Challenge To Change Your Life
• 20 Couples Challenges To Improve Your Finances And Relationship

Save your way to success!

When you save money, you are setting yourself up for financial success. You will finally have an emergency fund for unexpected events and be able to take that dream vacation you deserve.

Doing money saving challenges with friends can also give you the extra accountability you need to actually complete the challenge!

If you’re ready to take control of your finances and build your savings, get our FREE Savings Challenge Bundle and get started now! Plus, if you love these money saving challenges you’ll love our expanded list of 30-day challenges for your life and money!

The post 18 Money Saving Challenges To Save More Money! appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

Most of us have heard of various ways to save cash that can really work. And something like saving can be easier if you make it fun. That’s why so many people love finding weird ways to save money, like funny and crazy money-saving challenges.

My mom was famous for being frugal and finding odd ways to save cash. After all, having three kids makes you learn how to spend your money wisely.

Things like buying clothing secondhand, shopping for groceries at discount grocery stores, and repurposing leftovers were just a few things she did to save money for a vacation budget and such.

If she hadn’t been so frugal, we wouldn’t have had so many fun experiences. Saving money wherever you can will help you build up your savings accounts for more important things.

40 weird ways to save money

Whether you are a working mom or a career-oriented lady, saving money is a must. Check out these weird ways to save money.

1. Sell empty toilet paper rolls

You may scratch your head at this one, but people actually buy empty toilet paper rolls. They are used for crafts and other projects, and you can sell them on eBay.

So, rather than tossing those empty rolls in the trash, box them up and make some money moves now.

2. Sell your eggs

We’re not talking chicken eggs here, but your actual female reproductive eggs. It’s not an easy process, and you have to qualify to become an egg donor, but the average compensation for egg donors ranges from $5,000-$10,000, according to Egg Donor America.

It’s one of the most extreme frugal living ideas to save money—but a high-paying one at that. If you have frozen your eggs, this may also be an option.

3. Get paid for plasma

Selling plasma is a great, crazy thing to do to make money if you’re not afraid of needles. The average payout for a plasma donation is around $50, claims Business Insider. They also explain you can donate about once a month.

4. Make your own soap

If you enjoy money making crafts, then making your own soap and making your own laundry detergent is a fun way to save cash. Be even more frugal and buy your ingredients in bulk to make larger batches to save time.

5. Rent out your car

Move over Air B&B; now folks are renting out their cars for money. Some people earn several hundred dollars a month renting their vehicle on Turo. An idea like this is perfect for anyone working from home.

6. Live in a bus

Living in a bus can be one of the weird ways to save money. Skoolies are old-school buses that have been transformed into tiny homes or recreational vehicles. You can own your home and travel the country while saving money.

7. Cans for cash

Recycling is terrific for the environment, but you can also get some cash back for your good deed. Set up recycling bins at your friend’s and family’s houses too, and sell aluminum cans for cash.

8. Skip Christmas

You’ve heard of Christmas on a budget, but you could save a ton by skipping it altogether. A weekend getaway can even be cheaper than spending tons on gifts.

It doesn’t mean you’re a scrooge; you’re just preventing racking up credit card debt from guilty purchases.

9. Unplug your appliances

Did you know that some appliances still draw energy even when they aren’t in use? They are known as “energy vampires,” and they cost you money.

Simply unplugging appliances can save $100-$200 a year. These days, there are also energy-efficient appliances you can invest in. These appliances use less energy without decreasing performance.

Not that you should go out and buy one now, but it’s something to keep in mind when it’s time to replace your old appliances.

Bonus: Finding ways to save energy isn’t just good for your wallet—it’s also good for the planet, too!

10. Save money at the movies

I have to confess that I started saving money at the movies as a teenager. There is an 800% markup on those tasty treats! A drink and a box of candy will most likely cost over $10.

I always carried larger purses, so I opted to bring a can of Diet Coke and a bag of candy from the Dollar Store. Skip the popcorn and save that hard-earned cash instead!

11. Cancel cable

I saved over $1,000 in a year by canceling cable. Cable bills are a big expense, and it’s an unnecessary one. There are cable alternatives you can use to slash your entertainment bill and save cash.

12. Cut the air conditioning

You can save up to 10% a year on your electric bill by turning back your thermostat by 7-10 degrees.

Of course, it’s possible to save more by cutting off the air conditioning completely on days that aren’t unbearably hot. Open the windows, turn on the fan, and make this another one of those weird ways to save money.

13. Stop using paper towels

You can save a bit of cash by going green and ditching paper towels. Use a reusable sponge or cloth instead of throwing away money on paper towels.

If you still can’t quite cut them out, then at least opt for a cheaper brand.

14. Grab up condiments

Rather than tossing those extra condiments from your to-go order, start saving them so you don’t have to buy them as often. You can even grab a few extras when you eat in to take with you. Stocking up on condiments is one of the simplest funny ways to save money.

15. Save on gas

Intentional living can reduce frivolous spending. You can save on gas by running all of your errands on the same day if possible. The less you drive, the more money goes into your piggy bank instead of your gas tank.

16. Reuse plastic bags

Save cash and the planet by reusing your plastic bags. You wouldn’t believe all the fun ways you can reuse plastic bags!

Use them for crafts or storage. You can also replace expensive trash bags with old plastic bags, too.

17. Scope parking lots for loose change

My dad would pick up pennies while walking through parking lots. I thought it was hilarious, and he would say every penny leads to a dollar. Well, there is definitely truth behind this theory—even though it may sound like one of the crazy ways to save money.

Every bit of loose change is more money than you had before. Keep a piggy bank in your car, and scope parking lots for loose change whenever you’re out and about.

18. Dumpster dive

Dumpster diving is definitely one of the most interesting weird ways to save money.

However, I had a friend who would dive the dumpsters at retailers such as T.J. Max and find brand-new items in the trash! She would collect these items and sell them to pawn shops or online to make money. It’s insane the stuff people will throw away.

19. Repurpose leftovers

Americans waste 120 billion pounds of their food every year. Prevent waste and save on your grocery bill by repurposing leftovers or using a monthly meal planner. Taking last night’s dinner and recreating it with rice, beans, or other budget-friendly items can save cash and make a delicious meal.

20. Clean with vinegar

Cleaning supplies can get expensive. Buy white vinegar to clean your appliances, bathroom, and other household items.

It can be used for personal care, too! The best part is that it’s non-toxic and cleans amazingly well!

21. Potty-train your cat

As a first time cat owner, I’m not sure if this is the best idea, but some people have decided to opt out of buying expensive kitty litter by learning how to potty train their cats instead.

It’s one of the more unusual, funny ways to save money—but it may be worth the try!

22. Paint your roof

According to Horn Brothers Roofing, painting your roof white reflects heat rather than absorbing it, which results in lower energy bills. They also claim that a lighter-colored roof reflects sunlight back into the atmosphere, which may lessen global warming.

23. Freeze your credit cards

Do you struggle with impulse spending? If so, freezing your credit cards is one of those weird ways to save money that may just actually work for you. We aren’t talking about placing a freeze on them online—but literally freezing them in water.

Some people will put their credit cards in a plastic bag, fill them with water, and put them in the freezer. This keeps them from being easily accessed, which can help you with how to stop spending money.

24. Live in a tiny house

How much room do we really need anyway? Tiny homes are going mainstream—and with good reason.

Downsizing your home means you pay less in utilities, mortgage payments, and store less stuff. Some people own their homes free and clear, which is true financial security.

25. Meatless Monday

There are many yummy recipes that are meatless. Save cash by eating no meat one day a week and opting for the cheapest meals instead with beans or legumes.

These food items are not only great meat alternatives, but they also contain lots of protein and fiber. Plus, we could all use a few more veggies in our diet, right?

26. Stop wasting water

Leaky faucets and malfunctioning toilets aren’t the only ways we waste water. Think of how much water goes down the drain while you wait for it to get hot for your shower or while you wash your dishes in the sink. One of our funny ways to save money is to make use of that wasted water!

For example, keep a few pitchers and buckets in the bathroom to catch the cold water while you’re waiting for your shower to warm up. Then, re-use that water to clean your house or water your plants.

27. Repurpose jars

Glass jars can be repurposed for many uses. You can clean them out and use them as drinking glasses, storing items, or for craft projects. Like toilet paper rolls, you can sell empty jars on eBay for money.

28. Snack on food samples

My sister-in-law does this with her siblings. They head to Costco and snack on food samples instead of eating out for lunch. It’s one of her family’s favorite crazy ways to save money.

29. Get a roommate

Moving out on your own can strap you financially. Fortunately, a rent split with a roommate can free up quite a bit of money. More than likely, you will also split the bills, such as power, water, and cable.

30. Look out for free stuff

Refurnish your home for free by searching Craigslist and your neighborhood. People give away furniture all the time; all you have to do is go get it.

Sometimes you can find stuff by your neighbors’ garbage cans with free signs on them (definitely one of the weird ways to save money, but could be worth it!). You may even be able to find clothes, books, and other items too.

31. Heat half your house

My partner and I did this a lot when we were both working full-time. Since we weren’t home most of the day, we would cut the heat off in most of the rooms and shut the doors to save on our electricity bill. It might sound like one of the crazy ways to save money, but it works!

32. Eat ramen noodles for lunch

Okay, it’s not one of the healthiest things to do, but it’s a cheap lunch idea. A 24-pack of ramen noodles costs less than $10 dollars. You can eat lunch every day for almost a month with this purchase!

33. Discount days at Salvation Army

When I was little, my mom and I would go to the $1 day at Salvation Army. All clothing was only $1 per item! Check with your local Salvation Army for discount days to save on clothing and more.

34. Try a no-spend challenge

Want to become a super saver? One of the best weird ways to save money is by trying a no spend challenge. This is when you don’t spend any money on anything other than bills and necessities.

Start with a no-spend week, then work your way up to a month. Then, if you’re feeling really ambitious, you can try an entire year!

35. Walk or bike to work

Walking or biking to work is a super frugal way to start living a healthy lifestyle and save money. Even going one-way walking or biking will save gas money.

Worried about getting caught in the rain? If the weather is bad, you can walk there and hitch a ride with a co-worker home.

36. Cut out alcohol

Even if you only indulge in a few cocktails or glasses of wine a week, those charges can still add up. After all, $18 or $20 cocktails are becoming the norm—and that’s before adding tax or tip!

Imagine, if you normally treat yourself to two after-work cocktails per week, that adds up to $160 in a month! Simply ditching the alcoholic beverage is an easy (and healthy) way to save cash.

37. Hide your wallet

If you like the idea of freezing your credit cards but you’re a little wary of doing such an extra hack, try this one: Instead, hide your wallet.

When you get home at the end of the day, tuck your wallet somewhere that’s annoying to reach—like under the couch or on top of the fridge. With your wallet out of arm’s reach, you’ll be less likely to give in to impulses to do some online shopping.

38. Take a cold shower

Okay, you might not want to do this one in the dead of winter—but it should be fair game on most days of the year.

Another one of our favorite weird ways to save money is to take a cold shower. You’re consuming less hot water—and lowering your monthly bills.

Plus, many health experts even like to tout the benefits of cold showers, so it’s certainly worth a try!

39. Pay your bills on time

Hopefully, you’re already paying your bills on time. But if you tend to procrastinate when it comes time to pay your internet or phone bill, here’s some more motivation for you: paying your bills on time helps you save cash.

How? By avoiding hefty late fees.

Sure, these $20 fines here and there may not feel like a lot. But if you frequently pay your bills late, this expense can cost hundreds of dollars in the long run.

Pro tip: Make sure you’re never behind on a bill again by linking your bills to your bank accounts with auto-pay.

40. Give homemade birthday gifts

Naturally, you want to spoil your loved ones on their birthdays. But if you’re in a tight spot and trying to save cash, sometimes these events can add undue stress to your life.

Instead, consider giving your loved ones homemade gifts for their birthdays. Often, these made-with-love, straight-from-the-heart gifts are much more meaningful than what you’ll find in a store, anyway.

For example, your grandma would probably love to spend a half an hour on the phone with you or receiving a handwritten letter in the mail. And that only costs a few cents!

You could also surprise your friend with a memory journal detailing all your favorite hang-outs and funniest moments from the past year. After all, who doesn’t love a walk down memory lane?

Expert tip: Ditch the plastic and pay with cash

In today’s day and age, it can actually seem like one of the really weird ways to save money: paying with cash.
Seriously, a Forbes survey reveals that only 9% of Americans primarily pay with cash. But credit cards, debit cards, and contactless payment make it all too easy to load up your shopping cart with junk you don’t need or worse—impulsively shopping on Amazon.

If you want to challenge yourself to save cash, try only paying in cash for one month (except for bills like rent, internet, electricity, etc.). You’ll probably be surprised how much less often you make purchases!

What are the best ways to dramatically save money?

One of the best ways to dramatically save money is to do a money-saving challenge. For example, you can commit to a no spend January challenge, where you don’t buy anything but essentials for that month. This challenge can also be done during any month of the year.

If you’re a big coffee drinker, you can also dramatically save more money in a year by doing a coffee break challenge, where you save all the money you would otherwise spend on a latte or cappuccino.

How can I save $10,000 easily?

The easiest way to save $10,000 easily is to break it down month by month. In other words, to save $10k in a year, you would need to save $833 per month.

Next, look at your lifestyle and determine what you can cut from your monthly expenses, such as eating out, take-out coffees, unnecessary subscriptions, manicures, etc.

Finally, to help you reach your saving target, look for ways to increase your income by starting a side hustle, asking for a raise, or trying to find a new job.

Are weird ways to save money worth it?

Leveraging weird ways to save cash can help you take home some big bucks, but these methods aren’t for everyone. Selling your eggs, donating plasma, and living in a tiny house are some seriously weird ways to save money. It’s okay if these ideas aren’t for you. Keep in mind that weird doesn’t mean bad, it just means different!

You can also save money with more conventional methods, e.g., eating at home, making your own coffee, selling old clothes, using a coupon when you make a purchase, etc.

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• 25 Ideas For How To Save Money Each Month

Make your paychecks last longer with these funny ways to save money!

Applying some or all of these ideas can help you save cash to bulk up your emergency fund or even learn how to start investing.

Most importantly, living a frugal lifestyle can set you free from massive debt and help prevent you from busting your budget. Check out more crazy ways to save money with our extreme frugal living hacks.

The post 40 Crazy Weird Ways To Save Money! appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

It’s totally normal to want things you can’t afford, but it can damage your finances if you give into temptation too often. This is because it makes you start living above your means. Whilst it’s hard to admit that you don’t have the funds for a massive house or a brand new car, it’s essential if you want to start living below your means.

New releases of electronics, designer clothing and cars always try to tempt us to spend money on material things. Unsurprisingly, the average credit card debt in a U.S. household is over $17,000!

That said, in this article, you’ll learn how to create a financial plan to set yourself up for financial success and resist living above your means.

Why is it important to live below your means

Living below your means gives you financial freedom. Eliminating debt also enables you to save more money for unexpected costs or events such as a job loss. The job market continually changes, causing some careers to vanish and creating new opportunities.

Are you counting down the days between paychecks? This is a common sign that you are living above your means with no savings to fall back on. Financial uncertainty can be a worrying time, so it’s essential to start saving money, paying off debt and living below your means. It will prevent you from scrambling for cash or reaching for your credit card at the last minute.

How living above your means impacts your finances

Living above your means is expensive in many ways. You pay high amounts of interest on credit cards, you buy a car that straps your budget and impacts your credit score, or maybe even buy a house that is a bit out of your salary range despite what it may say on paper.

Just because it looks like you can afford it doesn’t necessarily mean you can if your situation changes. When you make a purchase, you need to consider the unexpected expenses that may accompany it.

Here are some examples of financial decisions that significantly impact your finances.

Being overextended due to a home purchase

When buying a property, you need to consider the costs of running a house.

Typical costs of homeownership include:

• Monthly expenses like your mortgage, utilities, rent, subscriptions, entertainment
• Insurance
• Maintenance and repairs
• Property taxes
• Heating/ventilation/air con systems

With all of the above considered, would you still be living above your means, below or within it? Knowing this before making a large financial commitment that you may regret later is a good idea.

Impulse purchases beyond your budget

Spending unnecessarily is one of the worst things you can do when it comes to living above your means. It’s way too easy to make unnecessary purchases on those high-interest credit cards when we see something we think we must have.

But then the credit card statement lands on your doormat. And when you don’t pay off your balance, you pay way more for that handbag than you think. Living above your means can create financial chaos.

Financing a car at a high cost

Using finance can enable you to own a better quality car than you may have been able to purchase with your own money. Perhaps you’ve wanted a new car vs. another used car.

Before you make this decision, you need to ask yourself, “can afford to make this regular payment for the contract term and still live within your means?” It’s also important to consider any fees or penalties you’d have to pay if you needed to end your agreement early if you could no longer make the repayments.

Signs you’re living above your means

When it comes to your finances, there are some key indicators to help you determine if you are living above your means. The sooner you identify them, the better.

1. You don’t have an emergency fund

An emergency fund is money that you put aside for unexpected events and life emergencies. The goal is to have at least 3-6 months of essential living expenses in a separate savings account.

Most people don’t have enough money in their emergency savings fund. This may seem hard to attain, but you can start with your first goal of $1000 and build from there.

2. You have credit card debt

Credit card debt is expensive. Especially if you have a higher-rate credit card. If you only pay the minimum, it can take years to pay off the balance, which can cost you thousands of dollars extra over time.

If you use your credit cards, it’s best to pay off the balance every month. You avoid paying interest and racking up debt by paying the balance in full.

3. You’re not saving at least 10% of your income

One of the best ways to save is by putting at least 10% of your income away every pay period.

For example, if you make $500 a week, you will save $50 every paycheck. By following this 10% approach you can quickly save up your first $1,000 for your emergency fund. 

The benefit of this method of saving is that 10% isn’t a huge amount, so it’s achievable. If you don’t have any spare cash, look at where you can cut back in other areas and save that money instead.

4. You are purchasing big-ticket items despite your finances

Are you upgrading your expensive smartphone yearly or buying expensive designer bags on your credit card?

If so, you are definitely living above your means. The infamous saying “charge it” is a fast way to go into debt. If owning the latest technology or accessories is important, buy second-hand instead and save money that way.

5. You’re paying for expensive vacations you didn’t plan for

Everybody needs a break, but you aren’t living below your means if you aren’t saving money to take it and charging it instead.

Vacations are expensive and require effective budgeting to prevent going into debt. Travel out of peak season and search the internet for discounts before you book.

How to start living below your means

You’d be surprised how quickly you can learn to live below your means with the right budgeting tactics and finance resources.

With the right money mindset and frugal lifestyle, you will surely acquire the financial success you desire. Try out the following tips to get started.

1. Assess your current financial situation

If you don’t know the status of your financial health, you can’t improve it.

Write down all of your income and outgoings so you can see the entire picture. Don’t leave anything out, even your daily frappe! Categorize spending habits so you can easily see where your money is going and work out your debt-to-income ratio. All of the information you learn from this step is vital for step 2. 

2. Make a budget

The first step to start living below your means is to make a budget. You need to determine how to create a budget that best fits your financial needs. There are a variety of ways to make a budget. Some popular budgeting methods are:

• Cash envelope system
• Percentage Breakouts
• Zero-based budgeting
• App & Spreadsheet budgeting

The important step is to use a budget method that is best for you and that you will stick to. Budgeting is a proven way to help you avoid lifestyle creep and unnecessary expenses, which happens when you increase your spending in line with an increase in income.

3. Create a financial plan

A financial plan is crucial for financial security. Creating a strong financial plan will help you attain your short term and long-term goals for your finances. Your plan will include:

• Your goals
• A debt payoff plan
• An emergency savings plan
• An investment plan
• Even an estate plan

You can either use a financial planning template or get creative and make your own. It doesn’t matter what it looks like, just that you can record and monitor your finances easily.

4. Curb your spending

The most effective way to start living below your means is to reduce your spending. You can save lots of money by not spending money on things such as coffee and clothes you don’t need, and dine out less.

Another way to save money is using cash instead of credit or debit cards. This makes you more aware of how much you are spending daily.

5. Live frugally

There are many tips and tricks to help you live a frugal lifestyle. You can purchase items preowned such as clothing, electronics, etc. Start couponing, save money at the grocery store, and buy in bulk to get cheaper items.

Downsize into a smaller home or apartment if needed and sell off items you don’t need for extra money. When you determine your needs vs. your wants, you start living below your means by being frugal with your spending.

6. Improve your money mindset

It’s all about perspective. Improving your money mindset can help you get a grip on your finances and stop anxiety caused by financial stress. Don’t focus on the negative. Use your past mistakes as a learning curve to make the adjustments to get your money right.

Rather than considering living below your means as a restriction, view it as the path to financial independence.

7. Make extra money

One of the most effective ways to live below your means is to increase your income. Having spare dollars left in the bank each month also acts as a financial cushion in case you’re faced with unexpected costs, such as needing to buy a new washing machine.

Whilst starting a side hustle is the most common way to make more money, you can also:

• Sell items you no longer need or use
• Invest in opportunities that generate passive income
• Work overtime

The more money you have to spare, the better your financial position is.

8. Utilize finance courses & resources

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you try to adjust your finances. We’re here to help you get on the road to financial success with our 100% completely free finance courses & resources!

You can use these courses and worksheets to help you through your financial journey and stay motivated every step of the way.

Expert tip: Consider downsizing your house

If you’re serious about living within your means, it’s time to start looking at your current living situation. Do you really need a three-bedroom property right now?

Just because the bank suggests that you can afford a $300,000 home doesn’t mean you should buy one. Downsizing and moving to a smaller house in a less affluent area is one of the best ways to start living below your means.

This way, you can enjoy being a homeowner without feeling like you’re being stretched financially each month. You’ll also have more money spare to pay off debt or top up your savings in the long term.

By how much should you live below your means?

The 50-30-20 rule is an easy-to-follow guide for figuring out how much you should live below your means.

50% of your monthly income should be allocated to paying for all your unavoidable expenses. This will include mortgage/rent, utility bills, groceries, transport and any debt repayments.

30% of your money can be used for funding your wants, such as eating out, holidays, entertainment and anything else that isn’t essential.

20% towards achieving your savings goals. Putting this money into a separate account is a good idea so you won’t get tempted to spend it on other things. It’s amazing how quickly your savings will add up!

If you use the proven 50-30-20 budgeting method to help you live below your means, you’ll have more control over your finances while still enjoying life and spending money on the things you want. Keep in mind, you can adjust the percentages to suit your needs accordingly e.g. 70-20-10 or 60-20-20.

What are the practical tips to live below your means?

Living below your means doesn’t mean you have to stop spending money on things you enjoy. It means knowing how to make good financial decisions.

Here are three practical tips to help you achieve financial success.

Use cash

Suppose you struggle to resist using credit to pay for things. Using cash instead is a great way to stop living beyond your means. It may not be the easiest way to pay for things, but it will stop you from spending money you don’t have.

Regularly monitor your progress

Sometimes, it can take time to change bad financial habits, and that’s okay. The important thing is that you’re making progress toward your goals and that you stick to them. Regularly checking how far you’ve come is a great way to stay motivated and on track.

Work on your self-discipline

The key to successfully living below your means is to avoid temptation and instead focus on your self-discipline. It might be difficult, but we promise it will be worth it! In two years, you’ll be so glad you said no to all those clothes you didn’t need.

What are the advantages of living below your means?

When you live below your means, or at least live within your means, you stop living paycheck to paycheck. This means that your financial health improves greatly.

Here are five reasons to stop living within your means and start living below it instead.

Become debt-free sooner

Spending less money in certain areas allows you to allocate more earnings to pay off debt. The more you pay off, the less interest you will pay, reducing your overall debt. Being debt free may even enable you to retire earlier!

Improve your credit score

The less debt you have, the better your credit score because it lowers your credit utilization rate. A healthy credit score can allow you to save money in the long term as it gives you access to better car insurance rates and lower-interest mortgage deals.

Fewer money worries

When you know you have spare money in financial emergencies, you stop having sleepless nights worrying about how you will pay for things. This is a great position to be in and one that many people strive for!

Build savings faster

Living below your means can give you the financial flexibility to save more money, allowing you to reach your savings goals and build up your retirement nest faster. Once you’ve smashed your current target, it’s time to start planning another one!

Financial confidence

To live within or below your means, you must understand your finances. Budgeting is the best way to do this. Once you know where your money is going, you will find it easier to make smart financial decisions.

You can live below your means!

With the right money mindset, budgeting methods, and financial planning, you can quickly begin to live within your means. You can even make it fun by participating in a money savings challenge and maybe get a friend to join you to help each other stay accountable.

Start living below your means and see that bank account start growing faster than you think!

The post How To Start Living Below Your Means appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

Do you enjoy making crafts? Did you know that there are crafts that you can make and sell? Yup, you can do something you love and make an income from it! Money-making crafts are all the rage and it’s easier than ever to start your own home business. All you need is your supplies, an internet connection, and some know-how to get started!

If you’re looking for a way to bring in some extra money and you enjoy being creative then selling crafts may be the answer for you.

Making money selling crafts

Selling crafts is a great money-making skill to have. Personally, I think it can be a great side hustle to bring in extra money because the start-up costs are low, and there are so many different crafts you can sell. It’s a perfect way to bulk up your savings accounts or even save for a vacation.

It makes a great business for stay-at-home moms. Some stay-at-home moms actually have a full-time business selling money-making crafts!

It’s a great way for your kids to make money, too, because it’s something they can do with you from home. Whether it’s your side hustle or full-time job, you need to ensure you have a business plan in place, so you cover your costs and turn a profit.

Pricing your crafts to sell

When calculating your costs and deciding what to price your items at, you want to use a pricing formula to ensure you make money! The following formula is known as the craft pricing formula and can be useful as a general pricing guide:

Cost of supplies + labor (the time it takes you to make the item) + 10-15% overhead = Your total costs

Total costs x 2 = Wholesale price

Wholesale price x 2 = Retail price (what you should price your item for)

For example, if your supplies cost $20 and you want to make $20 an hour for labor, you add those two together and add 15% overhead (which is $6).

The total cost is $46. So, $46 multiplied by two equals $92, which is your wholesale price. Then multiply your wholesale price of $92 by two, which totals $184, and this would be your retail price for your item.

Pricing your items may include other factors, but as mentioned above, this formula is a good guideline.

Top 50 crafts that make money

There are a ton of DIY crafts to sell and you can either have a few select items or multiple types of crafts you can make. Let’s get into some ideas!

1. Worksheets and printables

One of the most money-making crafts to sell is printables because they are inexpensive to make. There are so many worksheets and printable ideas to choose from. Some popular printables are checklists, calendars, coloring pages, quotes, etc.

Printables are one of the cheapest craft ideas to sell because you create the item, and the person downloads it and prints it!

2. On-demand shirts

Who doesn’t love a good T-shirt?! You can create your own design and sell your own shirts via Printful. They let you use a free mock-up generator to see what your products will look like before you sell them.

This platform integrates with top eCommerce platforms and websites so you can sell your on-demand shirts however you choose.

3. Planners and organizers

Planners are one of the top money-making crafts you can sell. In fact, statistics show millions of dollars is spent on planners and organizers! You can create and self-publish your planner on a publishing site like Lulu.

You can sell your planner on the Lulu bookstore and also on your own website. Planners are one of my favorite ideas, as it’s one of those treat-yourself items that everybody loves.

4. Body scrubs

Everyone wants beautiful glowing skin, which is why body scrubs are the best crafts to make and sell. Body scrubs are easy to make, and you can buy your supplies in bulk to cut costs. Check out these 7 DIY body scrubs you can make.

5. Body butter

Body butter is another one of the easier DIY crafts to make and sell. They are wildly popular, and you can find tons of different types to make. Remember when making beauty items, list the ingredients for your customers, so they know what’s in them.

6. Bath bombs

Bath bombs are a blast to make because you can make them in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors! You can order most of the ingredients you need from Amazon. Bath bombs are the best money-making crafts to sell because they are inexpensive to make and very profitable.

7. Custom mugs

One of the most popular gift ideas is a custom coffee mug. If you enjoy being creative, you can make custom Sharpie mugs to sell or use Printful to create other mug designs. You don’t have to be an artist to make great mugs. Some of the highest-selling mugs have funny quotes or inspirational sayings on them.

8. Handmade soap

There’s something lovely about a beautiful bar of soap, which is probably why it’s one of the most adored craft ideas to sell. You don’t have to make it too complicated; there are many melt-and-pour soap recipes that take less time to make but still bring in good money.

9. Jewelry

Jewelry is one of the top crafts that make money because there are so many styles and types to create, you will never run out of ideas. Some people even make quilled paper jewelry to sell! You can make resin, beaded, or leather jewelry. The possibilities are endless!

10. Decorative wreaths

Decorative wreaths are, in my opinion, one of the most fun crafts to make and sell. There are many different types of wreaths you can make, and they are the perfect gift idea. You can make burlap wreaths, floral wreaths, and ribbon wreaths.

I often buy wreaths for different holidays and seasons, and I’m sure I’m not the only one, so there is a lot of income potential with these DIY crafts.

11. Custom garden planters

Gardening is a beloved hobby, which means custom garden planters are great crafts to make and sell. You can get pots and supplies cheap at stores like Dollar General. You can even “branch” out and sell them with planted succulents or flowers.

12. Garden markers

Another fun item to make and sell is garden markers. You can make them out of lids, fused beads, rocks, and even clothespins! You’d be surprised at how popular garden markers are on Etsy.

13. Pet rocks and worry pets

Who remembers the pet rock phase? Well, apparently, these beloved low-maintenance “pets” are still around! Not only that, there is a new version called worry pets for kids with anxiety. These are fun crafts to make and sell that will bring a smile to your face.

14. Scented candles

If you’re a candle lover, then making scented candles to sell may be perfect for you. There are many types of candles you can create with different waxes, scents, and even flowers. Candles are always in demand, which makes them a fabulous DIY craft to make and sell.

15. Lip balms

Whether it’s a sizzling Summer or frigid Winter, lip balm is the go-to for soft, hydrated lips. You can make pretty tinted lip balm and also put it in cute containers, and even make stickers or labels for them. You can get an entire lip balm kit for under $45!

16. Keychains

Keychains are another one of our favorite craft ideas to make and sell. You can even make keychains from wine corks! They are inexpensive to make, and the possibilities are endless.

17. Sell your photography

Not only is photography an amazing hobby you can actually make money from it. There are a variety of ways you can do this. One is to sell your images through sites such as Shutterstock, Foap, and Etsy. Another fun way is to print your image, frame it, and sell it.

18. Turn your paintings into money-making crafts

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the same goes for art. If you enjoy painting, this is definitely one of the money-making crafts you should try to sell. No matter what you paint, there’s probably a market for it.

19. Decorative coasters

There are many types of decorative coasters you can make. Some use tiles, resin, even twine to make unique styles of coasters. The sky’s the limit with this awesome craft.

20. Mason jar soap dispensers

Create customized mason jar dispensers to sell for profit. You can buy jars in bulk on Amazon or check sites like Craigslist to get them cheap or even free! You can paint them or use vinyl to decorate them.

21. Bookmarkers

Bookmarkers are one of the easiest DIY crafts to make and sell. You can make them out of ribbon, paper, and paper clips. The great thing about them is they are light, which means lower costs in shipping.

22. Greeting cards

Greeting cards and note cards are always in demand because there is always an occasion for a card. Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and even just because are why people are always grabbing up a great greeting card. You can make simply designed cards to elaborate cards like this fabulous Tropical Friendship Card.

23. Candy Bouquets

Who needs flowers when you have candy?! Candy bouquets are one of the best craft ideas to sell because they are cheap to make, and almost everyone loves candy. Check out this adorable lollipop bouquet to make!

24. Bird feeders

You won’t believe all the different types of bird feeders you can make and sell. There are birdseed wreaths, wine bottle feeders, and of course, the classic wooden house bird feeder. Bird lovers adore setting up cute homes for their feathered friends, which is why this craft is a money maker.

25. Quilts and baby blankets

If you enjoy sewing, crocheting, or knitting, then making quilts and baby blankets will be one of your favorite crafts to make and sell. You can even make quilts out of old t-shirts!

26. Wind chimes

Create something for relaxation and decor with DIY wind chimes. You can make wind chimes with beads, seashells, bottle caps, and keys! This is one of the ultimate repurpose craft ideas to make and sell.

27. Hair accessories

Can you believe Scrunchies are making a comeback? There will always be a demand for fun and beautiful hair accessories because there are many trends and styles to choose from.

Basically, any type of hair accessory you can think of can be made and sold. Think headbands, scrunchies, blinged-out hair clips, and hair ties.

28. Wall decor and signs

You can make a ton of things with wood pallets, but one of the most loved items is farmhouse signs. You can put cute messages on them and give them a distressed look too. Sometimes you can find these pallets for free at local businesses or on Craigslist.

29. Pet accessories

Pets deserve to be spoiled, and pet accessories are some of the best crafts that make money. There has been a boom in the online pet market, which means it’s even more profitable than before. You can make customized pet dishes, leashes, collars, toys, and treats. This is the perfect side business for a pet lover.

30. Purses and tote bags

You can upcycle purses or make custom tote bags out of items such as tank tops. Shop the Goodwill for old purses to upcycle and sell. If you can sew then, you can make your own line of purses!

31. Snow globes

There’s something magical about snow globes, which is probably why they are one of the most adored crafts to make and sell. You can make customized snow globes with mason jars for any occasion.

32. Picture frames

Upcycling picture frames is one of the least expensive crafts to make and sell. You can buy old frames from Goodwill and Thrift stores super cheap, customize them by painting them and decking them out with things like seashells, gemstones, etc.

33. Gift baskets

Gift baskets are some of the most lucrative money-making crafts to sell. Like greeting cards, there is always a holiday, birthday, wedding, or some occasion that calls for a gorgeous gift basket. I know there have been plenty of times when I’ve needed to buy a gift last minute, and a gift basket was the perfect thing!

Basically, any theme you can think of is an idea for a gift basket. Check out how to start your gift basket-making business and start making money.

34. Jewelry boxes

You can pick up old jewelry boxes at yard sales or thrift shops to upcycle and sell. Like other items, you can paint them or customize them to make them unique. If you’re really ambitious, you can learn to make your own out of wood and other materials. Upcycling and making jewelry boxes can be one of the best-selling money-making crafts.

35. Pine Cone fire starters

Pinecone fire starters prove you can sell just about anything. In fact, the core of your item is free! You just go collect pinecones, then doctor them up with wax flakes and fragrance, and you have one of the cheapest DIY crafts to sell.

36. Decorative vases

If you’re looking for one of the simplest craft ideas to sell its decorative vases. You can buy cheap vases and paint them or customize them. Stores like Dollar Tree and Dollar General tend to have inexpensive vases for sale.

37. Beachy glass terrarium

You can create a beachy glass terrarium and sell it to the beachcombers at heart. You can pick up your sand and seashells on your next beach vacation or purchase your supplies on Amazon. Of course, it’s the perfect excuse for a budget-friendly vacation.

38. Upcycle shoes

One of our favorite craft ideas to sell are upcycled shoes. Customized shoes are all the rage. For instance, some hand-painted and customized shoes sell for over $100 a pair!

39. Knit scarves and hats

If you know how to knit or crochet, then scarves and hats are the perfect crafts to make and sell. You can get free patterns to help inspire you to make various styles of hats and scarves.

40. Plush toys

Plush toys aren’t just loved by kids; even adults find these adorable toys fun. You can get patterns on sites like Etsy to get started. This is one of the DIY crafts to sell that will have you feeling like a kid again.

41. Rope bowls

Rope bowls are a versatile craft you can make and sell. There are even bowls you can make that don’t require sewing. These bowls can be used for pen holders, fruit, or even hanging planters.

42. Upcycle liquor bottles

You’d be surprised that liquor bottles are one of the greatest money-making crafts to sell. You can make soap dispensers, lamps, and decorated bottles to sell on Etsy.

43. Decorative pillows

There are so many types of decorative pillows you can make and sell. You can even make no-sew pillows to keep it simple. If you just want to design it, you can use Printful to create your idea and sell the pillow through a platform such as Etsy or Shopify.

44. Welcome mats

If you own a Cricut machine, you can create customized welcome mats. You can purchase blank doormats at Target or Amazon. Doormats are a great item to sell because some people purchase doormats for every season or room in their house.

45. Face masks

Right now, face masks are a huge seller. Many people prefer to have masks they can reuse, so they buy cloth masks instead of disposable ones. Of course, there will always be a need for face masks to prevent breathing in dust, germs, etc.

46. Etched glass water bottles

Encourage others to go green and make beautifully etched glass water bottles to sell. You can make so many different designs, which is why this is one of the perfect craft ideas to sell.

47. Repurpose clocks

Upcycling clocks is another great option for crafts that make money. You can find old clocks to repurpose or buy cheap wall clocks at the Dollar Store to customize and sell.

48. Clay jewelry dishes

Jewelry and trinket dishes are super cool to make. You can order the Polyform Sculpey Clay off Amazon in a variety of colors. Create a variety of shapes and sizes for a fun selection for your customers.

49. Paper flowers

Paper flowers are one of the best crafts that make money because you can make them for various things. Decorations, bouquets, and canvas are just a few ideas to get started with.

50. Create stickers

Stickers are fabulous and used for so many reasons! You can create custom stickers using Printify. If you own a Cricut machine, you can cut and print your own to sell. This auto employee sold $100,000 selling stickers on Instagram, which proves that stickers are one of the top money-making crafts you can sell.

Expert tip

When it comes to crafts that make money, it’s all about trying out a few to see what will work for you. Once you figure out the craft you enjoy making, focus on creating the best possible products you can.

You’ll also need to learn about marketing and promoting your amazing products as well as money management for business.

Where is the best place to sell your money-making crafts?

There are a variety of platforms to choose from to sell your crafts on. However, when you sell online and locally, you will maximize your profits and bring in more income! Check out these top places to start selling your money-making crafts.

Etsy

Etsy is one of the leading platforms to sell crafts on because it’s a user-friendly site to use, and the fees are relatively low. You can integrate sites such as Printful to sell your customized items as well. Learn more about selling on Etsy.   

Shopify

Depending on how much you want to spend on a site, Shopify can be a great option to sell your items. Some people may start with a lower-cost platform and then decide to start a Shopify store. A basic store starts at around $39 a month.

Facebook

Facebook is a great place to start selling your crafts because you already have people you know viewing your profile. You can post pictures of your items to your profile for friends and family to buy, but you can also sell on Facebook Marketplace.

Another great option is the Commerce Manager platform, where you can catalog your inventory and sales on Facebook and Instagram.

Handmade at Amazon

You can find pretty much anything on Amazon, and now they offer a platform specifically for handmade items. This can be a great way to sell your crafts but be advised there is a monthly fee and selling fees.

Sell money-making crafts on your own website

You can always opt to create your own website to sell your items on. Sites like Squarespace make it easier to make a custom website without spending a ton of money. However, you will need to learn how to drive customers to your site if you go this route, so keep that in mind.

Craft shows, farmers’ markets, and boutiques

You need to sell online and locally because this will increase your sales and maximize your profits. Check out events such as craft shows and farmer’s markets where you can set up a booth and sell your items. I love a good farmer’s market, and I always walk away with a new keepsake, so it’s a great place to start selling crafts!

Sometimes local boutiques will allow you to set up a section in their shop to sell your products. They may charge a fee or take a commission in exchange for space.

How can you promote your craft business?

Now that you know what to make and where to sell, you need to promote your new craft business.

Leverage social media

It’s easier than ever to advertise for free, thanks to social media platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, and Pinterest. You can also share pictures of you making crafts to create engagement with potential customers too.

Tell your friends and family

Don’t be shy about telling your friends and family about your new business adventure. They will more than likely be super supportive and probably buy an item to help you get started!

Create a Google business profile

Also, you can create a free business profile page on Google. They also have a way to sell products online or locally for you. This is a huge opportunity to get your business noticed and increase sales.

What craft makes the most money?

Jewelry is one of the top money-making crafts. Simply because there’s a huge market for it! Pretty much everyone wears one form of jewelry or the other. To maximize your earnings potential, focus on making unique and quality designs as well as branding and marketing your jewelry products.

What crafts sell easily?

The crafts that sell most easily are associated with things people use most often that are not incredibly expensive. Examples of easy-to-sell crafts include candles, soaps, jewelry, fragrances, makeup, and skin care.

Articles related to money-making

If you enjoyed this article on money-making crafts, check out these other great articles too!

• 39 Best Money-Making Apps To Cash In Big!
• Key Money-Making Skills To Develop
• 31 Hacks For Money Making!
• 29 Ways How To Make Money Without A Job

Start a money-making crafts business today!

Creating crafts to sell is not only a great source of income, but it’s a great creative outlet. It’s wonderful being able to do something you love and make money at it. Of course, you want to set yourself up for success with your new business, and the best way to do that is to create a business plan.

Enroll in our completely free new business owner course bundle to learn how to earn more and be a successful business owner!

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In times of economic uncertainty, or due to performance or work dynamics, you might get to a point where you start to worry about losing your job. The loss of a job can be extremely stressful and can also create a lot of financial hardship.

If the thought "I'm worried about losing my job" has crossed your mind, it's time to create a plan to minimize the financial impact in the event that you do lose your job.

Constant worrying can cause physical and emotional stress and in turn, inhibit your ability to take strategic action before anything actually happens. Creating a financial plan is one way to help manage your fears and reduce stress and anxiety about a job loss.

We are going to provide key actionable steps to take if you have a fear of losing your job or what to do if you lose your job, so you can prepare yourself financially!

7 Key Steps to take if you are worried about losing your job

Here are some key money tips to help you ease the transition until you find new employment if you have a fear of being fired or do happen to lose your job.

1. Start bulking up your savings

The first thing you want to do if you have a fear of being fired is to start saving as much money as you can while you are still employed. Studies show that people who have access to financial resources cope better with the overall impact of job loss.

This is because when you are less worried about finances, you do better from an emotional and mental health perspective.

So it's essential to prioritize the importance of savings.

To bulk up your savings effectively, it's important to lay out all your expenses. You also need to determine how much it costs each month for you to survive. A good starting point for how many months you should save for is 3 to 6 months.

As you determine what this amount is, also consider what things you can cut back on to minimize your expenses during the period you may be out of work. This would include any non-essential spending and purchases.

This savings is essentially your emergency fund and you should build funding it into your budget as soon as possible. This is the most important step if you are afraid of losing your job.

2. Be more frugal

So, what's one of the best things to do if you are about to lose your job? Learn how to be more frugal! Reducing expenses is essential, but you also need to become savvier with your money so you can keep more in your wallet.

Start couponing to cut your grocery costs, shop secondhand for clothing when you need it, and use cashback apps. There are tons of crazy ways to save more money, so you can bulk up your bank account and reduce your job loss anxiety!

3. Begin the process of looking for another job

The next step of taking strategic action is to get ahead by beginning the process of finding another job. So, start your job search now if you have a fear of being fired. Carve out some time to update your LinkedIn profile and make your resume attractive to employers.

You can also start doing research on companies and positions you can apply to. If you need assistance updating your resume or preparing for interviews there are several amazing websites with career advice that you can leverage. Be sure to check out our list of the best recession-proof jobs too!

You can also find tons of job postings on sites such as Indeed, Careerbuilder, and LinkedIn.

Don't forget to dig into your professional and personal network to let people know you are looking for work. You never know who might give you a lead to help you find a new job.

4. Take advantage of current employment benefits

Be sure to take advantage of any current employment benefits before losing your job. For instance, leverage your health insurance coverage to get any medical concerns you have attended to and fill your prescriptions.

Choosing multi-month over monthly prescriptions if possible can save you a ton of money and carry you over while you are out of work. You can ask your doctor about this option.

Healthcare can be a massive out-of-pocket expense. So you want to make sure that if you have benefits to use, you actually use them if you need to before you lose your job.

Be sure to find out what the options are to extend your healthcare coverage after you are laid off.

Also, if you have vacation or sick days, ask your employer what happens in the event of a job loss. There might be a payout for the unused days and you can put this money towards your emergency fund. Knowing these details in advance can help reduce job loss anxiety.

5. Research unemployment benefits

The next step is to research the details of unemployment benefits if you are about to lose your job. Unemployment benefits are intended to replace lost wages in the event that you get laid off and qualify to receive this benefit.

Formally known as unemployment insurance benefits, this benefit covers workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and meet certain other eligibility requirements.

You can determine the qualification requirements for unemployment by visiting the website for your state's unemployment insurance benefits. Your state's website will also provide you with specific details on how to file. Filing for unemployment compensation immediately is what to do if you lose your job.

6. Explore additional sources of income

Exploring additional sources of income can help to minimize the impact of losing your job until you find a new one. Some ideas to make money without a job include:

Sell stuff for cash

The first thing I did when I was worried about losing my job was look for stuff to sell for money. You won't believe how much stuff you have that you probably don't even use that you can sell to sock some money back. So start looking through things you own that you can sell online for cash!

You can sell stuff on sites such as eBay, Etsy, and Facebook Marketplace. Not only do you make some extra income, you declutter your home too! So, it's a win-win.

Start freelancing

If you think you are about to lose your job then consider finding freelance work to supplement your income. You could start it as a side hustle beforehand so you can have money flowing in. There are plenty of ways to start freelancing.

For instance, you could become a freelance writer, virtual assistant, or even a freelance marketer. Plus, these freelancing gigs pay pretty good money so you can easily bulk up your emergency savings fast.

Find a part-time job

Another option is to find a part-time job. That way, you have additional income just in case. You could even find work-from-home jobs.

For example, data entry, transcription, and bookkeeping are just a few good-paying part-time jobs you can do from home. You could also work them as weekend jobs. Having a backup job reduces job loss anxiety.

Keep in mind that in order to stay afloat, you might need to take a job below your skillset or work multiple jobs and that's ok. There's no shame in doing what you need to do to boost your income before you find another job.

Start your own business

You may be thinking "How can I start my own business if I don't have the money?" Well, the great news is, there are plenty of businesses you can start with no money! For instance, pet sitting, flipping free items, and cleaning houses, are all things you can start with no money.

For more ideas check out our post "A Guide For How To Start A Business With No Money."

This is the perfect way to boost your income if you are about to lose your job! Plus, it may just be the motivation you need to finally pursue something you love instead.

Get a roommate or rent out a spare room

Basic living expenses are on the rise. Which can make things much more difficult financially. However, you can get crafty and reduce even your essential living expenses.

For instance, you can get a roommate to split the rent with. Or, you could even rent out a spare room on Airbnb! This can drastically reduce how much you are paying in rent or mortgage payments.

Of course, creating multiple streams of income is a fantastic financial move whether you are about to lose your job or not. In fact, millionaires have an average of seven income streams...so keep that in mind! The more income streams you create, the less financial worry you have.

7. Expand your skills

Expanding your skillset is one of the best things you can do if you are worried about losing your job. Learning new skills can make you a valuable employee or even help you continue on a new career path.

The great news is, there are plenty of ways to learn new skills without spending a ton of money. For instance, Google offers free career courses on topics such as UX Design, Data Analytics, IT Support, and Project Management. You can also take free courses on Canva Design!

Learning new skills will drastically reduce your job loss anxiety because you will feel confident in your ability to find another job fast.

Make a backup plan if you're worried about losing your job!

Now you know what to do if you lose your job or have a fear of being fired. Thinking about losing your job can be scary and stressful but with a plan in place, you'll be in a better position to weather the worst-case scenario.

Don't allow job loss anxiety to prevent you from taking action. Instead, plan ahead for the worst and hope for the best. It will give you the peace of mind that you will get through any temporary impact of a potential job loss.

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Looking for the best financial podcasts for women? Look no further! Finding top finance podcasts to listen to for the best advice on how to upgrade your finances can be quite a challenge. Today, there are literally thousands of podcasts out there – some of which are pure gold and others, not so much.

If you're trying to find the best personal finance podcasts to listen to, then you’ve come to the right place. Today we will break down each of the top financial podcasts for women and why they’re so great!

These podcasts were put together by women who’ve walked through the financial trenches in their own lives and came out victorious. As a result, these financial experts are now helping hundreds, if not thousands, to achieve the same success too! It pays dividends to hear what worked and what didn’t – especially when it comes to your money.

So, get ready as you’re in for a treat!

Top 15 best financial podcasts for and by women

It's important to listen to others people's successes and failures because it can help you learn from their experiences. Check out these personal finance podcasts to learn how to achieve financial success.

1. Clever Girls Know Podcast

Podcast host of Clever Girl Knows: Bola Sokunbi

Before diving into the other podcasts, we have to showcase our very own highly reviewed podcast—Clever Girls Know. With over 3 million downloads and ranked as one of the top finance podcasts for women by Black Enterprise and Refinery 29, the Clever Girls Know Podcast covers business, finances, and life topics.

Our podcast was built to inspire women to achieve financial success. We take on everything from interviews with inspiring guests to tough questions from our audience and actionable tips to get you set up for success. So, if you need help ditching debt, saving money, and want to learn more about growing your money, then you definitely need to listen to our amazing podcast!

Our favorite episode from Clever Girls Know: Habits to help you improve your self-discipline. This episode covers how to master self-discipline and how it helps you work towards your long-term and short-term goals.

2. Her Dinero Matters Podcast

Podcast host of Her Dinero Matters: Jen Hemphill

Her Dinero Matters is a bilingual financial podcast for women who want to take charge of their money. Frequent show listeners are called “reinas,” aka queens – which is Jen’s vision for the women in her community. So, this podcast is wonderful if you’re Latina, as the podcast addresses some Latina-centric topics; however, the content is easily relatable to everyone!

Jen is fully invested in building community and has woven some fun and engaging themes into her podcast, such as “Reina of the Week” or “Pregunta of the Week” (Question of the Week).

Our favorite episode from Her Dinero Matters: How to get the most out of a no-spend challenge. This episode gives clear guidelines on how to take such a challenge and, more importantly, what to do after it's done!

3. So Money Podcast

Podcast host of So Money: Farnoosh Torabi

Recently celebrating one thousand episodes, Farnoosh doesn’t skip a beat with her weekly financial podcasts that air on Fridays. If you love to hear from top business leaders and are looking for candid, well-thought-out answers to your tough money questions, then look no further than the So Money podcast.

Farnoosh has welcomed guests that include the likes of Gretchen Rubin, Tim Ferris, Ariana Huffington, Margaret Cho among many others.

Our favorite episode of So Money: Episode 989, where Farnoosh answers the question “What are some smart ways to earn passive income” with insights on top side hustles to maximizing retirement savings to finding a financial planner.

4. The Redefining Wealth podcast 

Podcast host of The Redefining Wealth Podcast: Patrice Washington

In a world where chasing money is the norm, Patrice’s message on the Redefining Wealth Podcast rises boldly above the noise: Chase Purpose… not money. As such, she has a fresh take on financial matters that have left her at odds with some traditional personal finance wisdom.

Patrice has also been the resident personal finance expert for Steve Harvey’s radio and tv shows. She has also been featured in a ton of major publications such as Dr. Oz, Fox & Friends, Essence Magazine, and Cosmopolitan.

Our favorite episode of Redefining Wealth: The joy of missing out with guest Tonya Dalton who shares how to avoid letting to-do lists and priorities from making us feel empty and incomplete.

5. Money Girl Podcast

Podcast host of Money Girl: Laura Adams

If you are a girl on the go but need some financial tips and motivation, then the Money Girl podcast is for you! On this podcast, Laura simplifies many finance topics such as investing, taxes and credit into segments that are under 30 minutes. Her actionable advice and tips inspire listeners to take action immediately with their finances to achieve financial success. Laura has been inspiring people with the Money Girl podcast since 2008. Her mission is to help her listeners is to live rich and enjoy the journey with her.

Our favorite episode of Money Girl: How to Create a Personal Finance System for Money Success, where she teaches you her four-part system to get the most out of your money.

6. Journey to Launch Podcast

 Podcast host of Journey to Launch: Jamila Souffrant

Ever hear of anyone who saved money in their teens so they could buy a piece of real estate straight out of college? In case you haven’t, let me introduce you to Jamila Souffrant. Raised in Brooklyn, New York, by a single mom, Jamila knew and understood the concept of hard work. When her friends were out splurging on the latest trends, she was saving all her coins with the single goal of buying a property. Therefore, she reached her goal and was able to purchase a property!

Today she hosts the Journey to Launch Podcast that teaches and inspires others to pursue financial freedom.

Our favorite episode of Journey to Launch: The Black Tax: The cost of being black in America covers some challenges unique to minorities in America and how they can overcome and essentially “catch up” financially.

7. Brown Ambition Podcast

Podcast hosts of Brown Ambition: Mandi Woodruff and Tiffany Aliche

The Brown Ambition Podcast is hosted by Mandi and Tiffany. And each week, they answer listener questions about money, career, and business. Both Mandi and Tiffany are finance experts. Mandi worked for several years as a finance editor, and Tiffany is a best-selling personal finance author. This dynamic duo makes Brown Ambition one of the best financial podcasts for women to listen to.

Our favorite episode of Brown Ambition: When you earn 6-figures and still feel broke. This episode discusses a recent study on families living in the U.S. earning six figures but still feel broke. (P.S. Check out our key tips on money blocks to tackle if you always feel broke)

8. The Wander Wealthy Podcast 

Podcast host of The Wander Wealthy Podcast: Tess Wicks

Tess is the brains behind The Wander Wealthy Podcast; she is a down-to-earth, everyday money and mindset coach. With her easy-going, approachable vibe, Tess tackles the questions some may be too shy to ask anyone.

Tess spent years working as a money coach for working women and has since pivoted to serve the self-employed. So, if you’re a business owner, you definitely want to check this out.

Our favorite episode of The Wander Wealthy Podcast: Building a single-product business. It tackles strategies for building a one-product business into your very own empire!

9. Afford Anything Podcast

Podcast host of Afford Anything: Paula Pant

After escaping the 9 to 5, Paula is determined to help others do the same. She tackles common financial advice head-on and offers her own proven systems to help people get ahead financially.

If you want to explore alternative philosophies to common advice on topics such as budgeting, you’ll want to check out Afford Anything. As a bonus, you can go to Paula’s website and download a free copy of her book “Escape” which will teach you how to escape the 9 to 5.

Our favorite episode of Afford Anything: In this episode, Paula tackles some great reader questions and drops some serious nuggets on the episode, how to invest for the next five years.

10. Bad with Money Podcast

Podcast host of Bad with Money: Gaby Dunn

If you need a good laugh and some motivation to change your money habits, then Bad with Money is the podcast for you. Host Gaby Dunn was terrible with money until she launched her podcast of confessions about her finances. However, after launching her podcast, Gaby has managed to pay off $32,000 in just 3 years! She teaches her listeners how to manage their finances simply by learning exactly where their money is going. For example, by using a spending journal to track your transactions.

Gaby has been featured on the Today Show, The New York Times, and Vanity Fair. She also landed a six-figure deal for her new personal finance book. Bad with Money is one of the best financial podcasts for women because Gaby teaches from personal experience with a touch of humor.

Our favorite episode of Bad with Money: On the episode Jagged Little Bills, Gabby interviews the very people that taught her how to be bad with money, her own parents!

11. Frugal Friends Podcast

Podcast host of Frugal Friends: Jen Smith and Jill Siriani

Jen, the blogger behind Modern Frugality, is no stranger to debt. However, after being $78K deep in debt, she and her husband engaged in a 2-year journey to get out of debt which they navigated successfully.

Together with her cohost, Jill, they’ve produced a podcast, Frugal friends. Listeners have described this podcast as “relatable” and perfect for people who like “money, minimalism and fun people.” Since minimalism is one of our favorite topics, we highly recommend checking out this podcast.

Our favorite episode of Frugal Friends: Budgeting on an irregular income – we all have those seasons where our income is not consistent. This episode helps you to prepare and thrive in those times.

12. The Financial Grownup Podcast

Podcast host of The Financial Grownup: Bobbi Rebell

The Financial Grownup podcast is all about sharing money tips and stories from experts and everyday individuals on how to be a financial grownup. Host Bobbi Rebell is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), an award-winning TV anchor, and a personal finance columnist. The Financial Grownup is one of the best financial podcasts for women because it covers everything from money tips to money confessions.

Our favorite episode of The Financial Grownup: What to do if you are getting paid less because of your gender, which covers how to navigate getting paid your worth and dealing with dream bullies.

13. Her Money Podcast

Podcast host of Her Money: Jean Chatzky

Founder of Her Money and the host of Her Money podcast, Jean, is not new to the public eye. She’s spent over two decades reporting on financial matters. Jean has a big heart for inspiring women to manage their financial destinies, so it's no wonder why she's so popular. We love this podcast because it covers budgeting, investing, and job tips.

She is also the financial editor of NBC’s Today Show. Her journey started in college as an English major. She has since gone on to write 11 best-selling books and create a powerful brand called Her Media.

Our favorite episode of Her Money: Credit, credit cards, and debt where Jean answers listeners' questions, providing them with strategic advice to ditch debt for good.

14. Side Hustle Pro Podcast

Podcast host of Side Hustle Pro: Nicaila Matthews Okome

If you’re looking to increase your income and wondering how to make more money, look no further than the Side Hustle Pro podcast. Nicaila started this personal finance podcast to inspire listeners to scale their side hustles to profitable businesses.

The podcast explores how women of color have built thriving businesses and escaped the 9 to 5. So, if you're serious about starting a side hustle and growing it, this personal finance podcast is for you.

Our favorite episode of Side Hustle Pro: Learn from a Shark Tank contestant who turned down a deal – none other than CurlMix Founder Kim Lewis on how to market your physical products.

15. Mo Money Podcast 

Podcast host of Mo Money: Jessica Moorehouse

Recording from her home in Canada, Mo Money Podcast host Jessica Moorehouse started recording in 2015 and has grown her show to over 1 million downloads. She grew up with limited means and started working at 15. This inspired her to learn as much as she could about money and how to manage it.

Her podcast is directed at millennials, but nearly anyone can use the lessons to achieve financial freedom. Mo Money is one of the best financial podcasts for women to listen to because it discusses budgeting, practicing mindfulness, and investing.

Our favorite episode of Mo Money Podcast: Money and its effect on mental health. Such an important topic as you navigate achieving financial wellness.

This list of best financial podcasts will inspire you

These personal finance podcasts are the go-to for the best financial advice. We all have made our mistakes with our money and always can use finance tips and motivation to stay on track. Above all, remember not to let your past mistakes hold you back. You can take back control of your finances by learning how to ditch debt and grow your money with our Free financial courses and worksheets!

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Do you find it difficult to save money? You're not alone if saving money is hard for you. In fact, 70% of Americans have less than $1,000 stashed away! Sometimes we find ourselves having the wrong mindset when it comes to saving money. Rather than looking at it as a restriction of your finances, try to look at it as your path to financial freedom.

Saving money is essential to financial success. It can create a secure financial future and prevent you from going into debt. You will have money stashed away for emergency expenses or that much-needed vacation instead of racking up credit card debt.

Money-savings charts can make saving money fun. Having multiple savings charts is even better. You can have a chart for different things you want to save for, i.e., vacations, shopping, etc. Whatever your savings goals are, money-saving charts can help you build your savings accounts fast!

What are money-savings charts?

Money-savings charts are printable charts that help you track money for specific savings goals. It will list the amount you are supposed to save for that day or week, and you will track your balance and when you complete each deposit.

Like a vision board, money-savings charts make saving money easier because it is a visual aid that helps you focus on your progress and goals!

Top 10 instances to use money-savings charts

Check out these 10 chart ideas to get started saving up money now! You can create these charts easily on your own by using a notebook or spreadsheet. You can also download many of these charts (and more) in our COMPLETELY FREE worksheets library!

1. 52-week savings

One of the best money-savings charts to start with is the 52-week savings challenge. This is one of the easiest charts to follow because you start with $1 the first week and add an extra dollar each week.

For example, in week one, you save $1, week two, you save $2, week three, you save $3, and so on until you get to week 52. If you follow this simple money-saving chart, you will save $1,378 in just a year! This savings plan is perfect to bulk up your emergency fund or if you’re trying to save for a luxury purchase.

2. Emergency savings

Having an emergency fund is crucial to your financial well-being. It can prevent you from going into debt due to unexpected emergencies such as a job loss or if your vehicle breaks down. The goal is to have 3 to 6 months of basic living expenses in your emergency savings account. (Once you get to 3 to 6 months, you can consider aiming for 12 months of emergency savings!).

One of the most important money-saving charts you can utilize is one for an emergency fund. It will help you calculate how much your living expenses are and how much you will need to save.

For instance, if your monthly living expenses are $1,500 per month, you will need to save $4,500-$9,000. Don’t get overwhelmed by this number. Simply focus on setting aside a certain percentage of your paychecks such as 10-15% or a set amount such as $50 every week to reach your goal.

3. 26-week savings

If you want to save faster than the 52-week chart, then the 26-week money-saving chart is for you. You will save $1,378 in six months rather than a year. This chart lists weeks 1-26 and the amount for each week.

Rather than only adding an additional dollar to each week, you will add an additional $4 every week until you reach 26 weeks.

The first week you will deposit $3, week two will be $7, week three, you will save $11, and the amount increases each week. It provides the amounts for each week, the balance, and a place to check off that you completed the deposit!

Click the image above to download this worksheet as a pdf. 

4. Saving $10,000

Who wouldn’t want to have an extra $10,000 in their savings accounts? This may be a big goal, but it’s something you can accomplish with a bit of determination and discipline. To save $10,000 a year, you need to save $833.33 every month. This equals $192.30 per week. You can even break it down by the day, which means you need to save $27.47 per day.

Not sure if you can swing that much with your current take-home pay? Start a side-hustle to bring in extra income so you can reach your money-goals faster! This is one of the best money-saving charts to help you reach a big savings goal.

5. Spare change savings

You’d be surprised how much spare change you have lying around. The spare change money-saving chart has a place to write in ideas to save spare change and the amount you save. It has a spot to add up all of your extra coins at the bottom of the chart and what you’re saving your change for.

Check your car, laundry, etc. for places you may have loose change. Start using cash instead of a debit card so you can receive coins to save regularly. Tally it up and deposit it into your savings account for a rainy day fund!

Click the image above to download this worksheet as a pdf. 

6. House down payment savings

Purchasing a home is one of the most significant purchases you will make in your life. You must save a sufficient down payment before buying a house because it can prevent you from paying Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) and will help you have more equity in your home.

You can make a money-saving chart to help you save a down payment for your first home. To know how much you will need to save you will need to know how much home you can afford without being house poor. Let’s say you plan on purchasing a home that costs $175,000. Your goal should be to save 5%-20% of the purchase price.

So, you will need to save between $8,750-$35,000 for a down payment on a house. The house down payment money-saving chart will be like the $10,000 chart. You will need to figure out how much per month you will need to save to reach your goal.

If you’re looking at buying a home in two years, then take the amount and divide it by 24 months. For example, $15,000 divided by 24 equals $625 a month. You will take that amount and create your savings chart to help track your progress and balance each month to ensure you stay on track.

7. Vacation savings

Vacations are fabulous, but they can get expensive fast. To prevent you from going into debt, create a vacation budget so you know how much you can spend. Once you pick your destination, you can estimate the cost of your vacation and use that to create a vacation money-saving chart. Of course, you will need to have a timeline of how long you have to save as well.

Once you get the numbers crunched, you can calculate how much you need to save every month. If your estimated vacation cost is $2,500 and you want to go within six months, you will need to save $416.67 a month, which amounts to about $105 a week. This chart will help you save for a fantastic budget-friendly vacation!

8. Dream wedding savings

Some believe you have to spend a ton of money to have the wedding of your dreams, but you can have your dream wedding even on a budget. Plus, that’s more money you can save towards a house or retirement instead! To properly save for your dream wedding, you need to plan how much it’s going to cost you.

Set an amount that you are going to spend and base your dream wedding money-savings chart on that amount. Be determined to not bust your budget on your wedding.

Just like the vacation chart you need to calculate how much you need by what date and break it down into monthly savings goals. Keep in mind the average wedding costs a whopping $34,000! Try to find ways to be budget-friendly and stash the extra cash instead.

9. Christmas money savings

The holidays may be the most wonderful time of year, but not so much for your finances. The average person spends over $1,000 on traveling and gifts at Christmas. It’s important to save for your holiday shopping rather than charging it on your credit cards.

A Christmas money-saving chart is the perfect way to prepare for the holidays. Plus you can plan out your Christmas gift buying. Figure out how much you plan on spending for Christmas and how many months you have to save for it.

The earlier you start saving, the easier it will be. Open a Christmas Club account to keep your holiday money separate.

10. Saving $1,000

A great goal to set for yourself if you’re not a natural saver is to save your first $1,000. This is a great goal to help you with your emergency fund too. Sometimes we can get overwhelmed with a big number, so making it more attainable will help you stick with it too.

This savings chart helps you save over $1,000 in a year. However, if you want to bulk up your savings faster, divide $1,000 by how many months you would like to save it in. If you want to save $1,000 in 3 months, you will need to save $83.33 a week! This is a great chart to get you started saving money.

Saving money can be fun!

There’s no doubt that it’s easier to stick with a good habit if you make it fun. Money-savings charts are an excellent way to make saving money fun! To help you keep your financial goals in mind, make a finance vision board along with your charts of what you want to accomplish.

When you have a visual reminder of your goals, it keeps you focused on the end-game. Are you ready to start saving? Pick one of these savings charts to start saving, and don’t forget to enroll in our FREE savings challenge bundle to help you save even more money!

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