Where do you keep money from your paycheck so you don't spend it?

Question

Get it taken directly out of your paycheck and into savings or something? Just curious and looking for tips. I am tired of not saving.

Answer 1

Money from a paycheck, What's that? My paychecks are just ME transferring numbers from my employer's account to my creditor's accounts. LOL

BB,
Raji the Green Witch

Answer 2

When you set up direct deposit at work, you can indicate more than one account. When I was in the Army, I had deductions for savings bonds, charity, and a savings account back home. You should also set up a savings account that is not nearby or have an ATM on every corner, such as ETrade or ING, and then have a fixed amount go there. Also, set up a plan of what you are saving for, such as Christmas, a vacation, your next car purchase, auto insurance, emergencies, and retirement. That will tell you how much you need to save to meet all your goals. So that money is not there for blowing. Every penny is for a specific irregular purchase that you never have money for if you don't save, such as car insurance, emergencies, retirement, Christmas, or a vacation. Here is an example:

Car insurance, 6 months $330, $55 a month
Car purchase (used), 3 years, $7200, 200 a month
Christmas, $480 annually, 40 a month
Computer every 5 years, $1200, $20 a month
Couch, bed, TV, & other furniture, $600 a year, 50 a month
Emergencies (car, medical, job), $1200 a year, 100 a month
Retirement (401K or IRA), $100 a month
Vacation, every 2 years, $2400, 100 a month
Total to Meet my Savings Goals $665 a month

Answer 3

I've never had trouble saving, so this is not from experience. But a few things come to mind:

1. Find a friend, or associate, or relative, that is good with money. I'm not talking about your BFF that is a kindred spirit while shopping. Look for somebody who you know has a lot of money, but doesn't show it. Like they live in a wealthy neighborhood, but still drive a 10-year old Corolla. And they dress in clothes from Ross or Target. Ask them to help you save, and every time you get a paycheck, send them $20 or some fixed amount, for them to deposit somewhere and keep for you. Of course this has to be someone you can trust. And, you may learn a thing or two about money management from them. This is the best way.

2. On your W-2 form, set your exemptions to 0, or even get an extra amount taken out. At the end of the year, you'll get a tax refund, and that can be your savings. The trick is, not to blow it all when it comes in.

3. A Christmas club at your bank is similar to the tax idea. These are not as as good as having an advisor that knows how to handle money, as you're still vulnerable when the payload comes in.

4. See if you can find the book, "The Richest Man in Babylon" in your local library. Good advice, timeless.

Answer 4

Okay, well this is kind of weird but this is what I do: I can cash my paychecks at work (no fee), and I'm better with cash anyway, so I cash my check and see how long I can make it last. I guess it would be smarter to divide it up but this is what helps me. Then, when I get my next check I just hold on to it, don't cash it or anything and then keep it until I get another (I get paid weekly). That way, you have 2 or 3 checks saved up until you get a fourth. It sounds really weird but if you don't have much to buy and you can save and your bills aren't much (mine aren't) and you're cheap you can do it. It's nice to see a chunk in your bank account. I should have a savings account, but I don't. When you don't get paid much and have a little in your checking account without your paychecks in there you can draw from it a little and see how long you last.

Answer 5

ok, ooooold technique, but tried and true!

if you have direct deposit, take out the cash. label envelopes (i.e. "Rent", "Cell Phone", "Insurance", "Car Payment", etc.) and put as much as you need from that particular paycheck in each envelope (My husband and i get paid bi-weekly, alternating weeks, so we divide the amount for each envelope by 4 (weeks in a month) and put that amount in the envelope... next paycheck, put another 1/4 of the amount needed into the envelope. after the 4th paycheck, GO PAY THE BILL with the amount accumulated over the month) Make sure you keep an envelope of some "fun money", too. THEN you can either create another envelope marked "savings", or you can put it into a saving account (you get penalized if you touch it too much during the month... more incentive to KEEP IT THERE)

Answer 6

I opened up an ING DIRECT savings account. I did this so it will be harder for me to get a hold of my money. There is a 2 week waiting period for anything deposited in there. Sad but good. I also have my regular savings account. Every time I get paid, I put $20.00 in my ING account and $75 in my regular savings account. I used to put $50 in my regular savings every pay period...Then I paid off one of my student loans and now I pay $75 in to my regular. I did that so it is like I am still paying that bill each month. I DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE TOUCH ANY MONEY IN MY SAVINGS ACCOUNTS UNLESS IT IS A 100% LIFE AND DEATH EMERGENCY! I hope this helps you. Good Luck.

PS. I just opened my ING account. If I refer you we both can make some money!

I also right only checks! I do have an ATM and a Debit card but I ONLY use my debit card for gas. It saves on the atm fees.

Answer 7

I have my paycheck split into 4 accounts:
#1. the net amount -- for bills and basics
#2. the amount needed for my monthly car payment --nothing else goes in or out of this account
#3 $25/week to emergency fund -- this account is at a different bank so it is harder to get to and I can't just transfer money into my main account
#4 $15/week -- saving for items I wouldn't consider a necessity -- this account is at a different bank than any of the other accounts. I cut up the debit card so that if I want to tap into this money, I actually have to go to the bank and make a withdrawal.

Having the accounts at different banks helps me keep them out of sight and out of mind so I'm not tempted to dip into them constantly. I was also able to cash in on some of the banks' new account offers where they give you $100 for opening a new account.

Answer 8

I saved up 600 bucks in 3 months by starting with 20's in an envelope and put it in an expandable folder. Then when I would get 5 20's I would ask for a 100 dollar bill on my next check to exchange it. If you have big bills it makes you not want to break it and keep it. Good luck!

Answer 9

Direct deposit a chunk to savings and a chunk to mutual funds. The bank this money goes to is nearly 30 miles away and I have to go to the bank to touch the money (no checks, no debit card). I have a savings and checking account at a local bank that I use for groceries and every day items. It doesn't accumulate that well but the one two towns over does pretty good.

Answer 10

I get direct deposit but I spend it all. lol. You can ask your work to take a certain portion of your paycheck and deposit it into a savings account or as soon as you get the money buy savings bonds with it and that way at least you cant spend it for 7 years.