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Saving money is serious business, but it doesn’t have to be all about sticking to strict budgets and crunching numbers. Seeing your saving account grow doesn’t have to be all work and no play. There is a fun way to save money that doesn’t feel like a chore.
We discuss ways to save money that can make managing your money fun. Saving doesn’t need to be boring. With the right tools and resources, saving can be simple, fun, and enjoyable.
Creative and fun ways to save money
The words ‘creative’ and ‘fun’ aren’t usually words you’d associate with saving money. But maybe that’s the problem. Perhaps you’re approaching the whole savings thing from the wrong angle. If you think creatively, you can find a fun way to save money. Or use our ideas instead.
Here are a few ideas to change saving money from something you must do to something you want to do.
1. Decluttering
Do you have a room filled with junk you said you’d sort out eventually? Now’s the time to take it on. Decluttering is a great way to make extra cash for your savings. You’ll also free up space, get more organised, and might even find that thing you lost years ago.
Clear out those boxes in the loft or sort out the pile of stuff in the garage and sell them online, at a market or garage sale to make some money from the things you no longer use or want. As a rule, if you haven’t used it or thought about it for six months, you don’t need it.
2. Use Cashback apps
After clever ways to save money? There are several apps out there that offer cash back or perks when you make a purchase. Research the most relevant app to you and linked with shops you regularly spend at.
HyperJar Local offers rewards when you spend with our partners to incentivise more thoughtful spending and better budgeting with exclusive discounts and special offers - all delivered seamlessly in the app. If you were going to spend the money anyway, you might as well be rewarded for it.
HyperJar's new cashback vouchers are offering instant cashback up to 15% if you pre-pay! Check it out now.
3. Use the 30-day rule
The 30-day rule is a great way to stop impulsive buying and only buy things you need. When you see something you want, wait 30 days and then decide if you still want it. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat yourself to what you want now and again; it just helps to determine whether you want it.
Tip: Screenshot an ad rather than click on it. Put it in a folder till the end of the month and decide if you want it.
4. 100-envelope challenge
A game where you can win every time? Where do we sign? The 100-envelope challenge is simple and works like a lottery; it’s certainly one of the most creative ways to save money:
· Get 100 envelopes and write numbers 1-100 on the front of them
· Shuffle the envelopes and put them all into a box
· Take one envelope each day for 100 days, and whatever number is on the front, put that amount of money into the envelope. Pulling out number 31, you need to put £31 into the envelope.
· After just 100 days, you will have saved £5,050!
If the amounts are unrealistic for you, simply reduce them to 50 envelopes or 20. Our digital savings jars are perfect if you don’t want to use real envelopes.
5. 52-week challenge
This challenge is easy to follow, and once you complete the 52-week challenge, you will have saved £1,378 in just a year.
You add the corresponding amount to your savings for each week of the year. Start by depositing £1 in week 1, £2 in week 2, and £3 in week three and continue this for 52 weeks. You can start at any time or begin in January as a new year’s savings challenge.
You can do this with HyperJar jars; add the money to your jar each week. You can keep up the habit of saving by setting up automated savings with a direct debit, so your savings are growing automatically.
6. Use cash instead of credit
Credit can sometimes create an ‘out of sight out of mind’ mindset. Using cash lets, you visualise your spending and how much you have left. Create a budget of how much you will need to live comfortably and only withdraw the amount you need in cash. The cash will help you stay within your budget and avoid spending more than you need.
This can be tricky as some places and events are now cashless, but if it’s something you can do, try it for a week and give it a go.
How to make saving money more fun
Saving money doesn’t have to be dull. If you make it into a fun activity, you’ll be saving without even realising it. Here are some of the fun ways to make saving more fun:
Make it a game
No matter how old you are, everyone loves to play games. Games are a great way to motivate yourself to save more. You won’t even realise you’re doing it, making it one of the clever ways to save money.
· Set up a savings goal competition with friends or family. Whoever reaches the goal first wins. Get creative with the prize, such as doing their chores for a month, washing their car, or paying for their next meal out. You can keep track of each other’s progress by linking accounts with the HyperJar card.
· Create a budget and stick to it. There are consequences if you go over your limit or miss your savings goals. You may have to spend an extra 15 minutes at the gym, sacrifice your morning coffee, or wash the dishes for a week. Nominate a savings buddy to keep you accountable. HyperJar’s spending notifications will keep you up to date with your spending and let you know when your spending is impacting your savings.
Set a goal
Goal setting is a great way to keep motivated and save more. Set a goal and add a time frame to it to hold yourself accountable. Be as specific as you can, for example:
· I want to save £100 each month for retirement. I want to retire at 60.
· I want to save up £20,000 for a deposit on a house in 5 years
· I want to save £2,000 for a deposit on a new car in 6 months
· I want to save up £5,000 for my wedding in 2 years
If patience isn’t your strong suit, then try setting smaller goals alongside your long-term ones. Setting short-term goals such as a new toy, a meal out, or a trip to the cinema once a month helps to break up the time and give you something to look forward to while your long-term savings are still building.
Use a savings tracker
A savings tracker will track your progress to see how much you save over time. You'll be more motivated to keep going when you see your savings going up right in front of you. HyperJars jars let you easily see where you’re at with your savings. And you can find some budgeting templates here.
Reward yourself
Saving can be tricky. You might feel demotivated along the way, but that’s normal. Saving for big tickets things can take a while, and you may be tempted to give up, but rewards can help keep you motivated. You should reward yourself. When you reach a savings milestone, treat yourself to something small such as a new book or an evening out. It can even be something like a weekend trip or a new gadget. If you don’t sacrifice your savings and stay on track, reward yourself now and again.
Conclusion
Saving money can be fun if you get creative and use the tips we’ve put together. Try them out and choose the method that works for you. When you save using creative techniques, you will be satisfied with reaching your financial goal and having fun. It’s a win-win situation.
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