HELP!! How CAN i SAVE $3500 in the NExt Few Months??

Question

I income a little less than $2,000/mo... I know this sucks (and I have 2 jobs!). I pay about $400 for rent and $600 on other bills and other things. But I have a MAJOR spending problem!!! MAJOR! How can I save this money?? Any tips or ideas that have worked for you? I would like to have this $$ within the next 3 to 4 months. Do you think it is possible?? WHAT SHOULD I DO?? I'm willing to do anything.

Answer 1

You state you have an income less than $2k per month, spend $1k per month on rent a bills, and want to save $3500 in the next few months? Your goal isn't realistic. You need to live, therefore you still need to spend money on gas, food, etc. which you haven't accounted for.

However, just because your goal time frame is not realistic, doesn't mean you can't do it.... it will just take a little longer.

I would suggest sitting down and actually mapping out what you have for income, and what you have for NECESSARY expenses (rent, bills, etc). Now figure out a budget for groceries (be reasonable, you have to eat) gas and any other NECESSARY items.

Now that you have this budget, swear off anything extra, like lattes, dining out, and UNECESSARY items.

Figure out how much money is left over every month, and when you get paid, automatically transfer some of your monthly savings (not all at once, you will have to adjust this on a personal level) into a savings account that IS NOT LINKED to your checking.

You can take $3500 and divide it by your monthly savings amount to find out how long it will take.... and even think of other ways to save money to get there faster.

Perhaps you can do without cable for a few months? Just have a cell phone and no home phone? Maybe you don't need to drive and can take the bus? Shopping at a cheaper grocery store or not buying name brands?

All of this will help you achieve your goal, but you have to be willing to sacrifice.

Good luck! =)

Answer 2

When I am tempted to buy something I don't "need" I think about how long I have to work to pay for that item. Take your hourly wage - deductions (usually around 20%). At $10.00 an hour your really only bringing home about $8.00 of it so if I find a pair of shoes I think I just "have to have" that after taxes will cost me about $55.00. I tend to realize that those shoes aren't worth me working almost 7 hours for. A good idea is to keep a little note pad with you for a week or two and write down every penny you spend each day. When you add it up at the end of the week you will probably be shocked. Then think about how many hours you wasted.

Answer 3

Here are some tips.
Set up an auto savings account with ING. It's totally free with a high interest rate. www.ingdirect.com. Auto deposit $500 or $250 per check. And you'll reach your goal in about 4 months.

If you only make $2000, you should recognize that shopping ans spending is not in your ability right now, especially if you want to save. Think of your savings as a bill. It is NOT optional, or Debatable. Just DO it, once you force yourself to do this, it will be easier. Good luck.

Answer 4

Anything?
Well, get control of your 'spending problem' first.
You just have to stop.
Then, look at 'bills and other things'..what other things? Eating supper out twice, three times a week, buying your lunch everyday, going out to a show, or clubbing?
What about your bills? Do you have cable or satellite? Are you paying for premium channels?
You don't define what "in the next few months" is..
Two, three, six?
It's damn near impossible to save half your income every month..if you stretch it out to four, five, six months, it'll be easier.
You can do it, but you have to be willing to do without.

Answer 5

You need to stop the spending! Perhaps a parent or close friend can be your savings account? I would also consider counseling because being a shopaholic is like being an alcoholic.

Answer 6

You probably can't save that much money in a few months. But the trick about saving is not how much you save, but saving consistently.

I'd start taking 10% out of my paycheck IMMEDIATELY, and socking it away in an interest bearing account. US Savings Bonds are good, but if you're going to be needing the money shortly, keep in mind that you won't be able to redeem them (Series I, anyway) for a full year.

Answer 7

You already know the answer is to not spend it. You already know that by not spending it, you can save the money. And you already know that you just have to stop procrastinating and stop spending NOW.

More practically, you might want to consider starting up another bank account to save the money in. You need to consider the money unavailable and only look at what is in your first account as available for spending.

Answer 8

Become homeless. this way you keep your jobs but have no bills.
now all you have to do is wait till you saved up the money!

(Dont spend money on food eat out of the micky D's Dumpster)

You could also try things like shaking up with a friend or Becomeing a hooker (hookers on avrage make over 400 dollars a night)

Answer 9

Set it up with the bank that as soon as you get paid so much goes into savings so it would already be transfered in there without you seeing it. Buy only the things you need!!!!

Answer 10

umm go get help if u have major spending problems all i can say is say whatever u have left after u payed your bills