Introduction

Now, the tips I'm sharing here are what work wonders for me personally. Admittedly, some might be a bit trickier for others to adopt, but hey, that's the beauty of having a list—you get to cherry-pick what suits you best.

For someone like me, who finds handling finances a bit of a chore and has a memory that's not exactly top-tier, making spending a bit more difficult and saving a lot more organized is a game-changer.

Of course, I'm all for embracing frugality and finding ways to boost your income. But let's be real, earning more loses its shine if you're not putting some of it away. And saving? Well, it's not as impactful if you're not earning enough to squirrel some away in the first place.

Separate accounts

You know, I notice a lot of folks just dumping their entire paycheck into one account, the very same one they swipe their card from for everything.

Putting all your essentials and little indulgences on the same card? Not the wisest move, if you ask me. It blurs the lines in your mind, making it tough to distinguish between what you need and what you want.

And let's be real, when everything's jumbled up like that, you're more likely to splurge on things you could probably live without.

Plus, it's a real headache trying to budget when all your money's lumped together in one big pile. Trust me, been there, done that.

Hard to access accounts

So, picture this: you've got another bank account stashed away somewhere else. Suddenly, dipping into those funds becomes a whole lot trickier.

And hey, if you don't even carry a card for that account? Even better. It's all about making it as inconvenient as humanly possible.

Because let's face it, the harder it is to get at that money, the less tempted you'll be to dip into it for impulse buys or frivolous splurges.

Force to save

Okay, here's the deal: set it up so a chunk of your cash gets whisked away to your savings account every month, no questions asked. Start small if you need to, then gradually bump up the amount.

When your money's squirreled away automatically like that, it's a bit tougher to dip into it for impulse buys or random splurges.

But here's the thing: if you go too big right out of the gate, it might sting a bit too much, and you'll be tempted to snatch it back. So, take it slow and steady, and watch those savings grow without feeling like you're missing out.

Invest

If your cash is tied up in investments, chances are it's sitting in a separate, tax-friendly account. And if you've got your money parked in an ETF, well, it's not exactly a quick grab — you might need to wait a few days to cash out.

So basically, when your money's invested, it's not exactly at arm's reach. And hey, if it slips your mind, even better!

See, when you're investing, you're in it for the long haul. You want that cash to grow over many years to really see some sweet returns.

And let's be real, investing is kinda like the ultimate way to spend money anyways. You're basically buying money, especially if you've made a smart investment and you're willing to let it simmer for a while.

Bank card with limited funds

Why not put a cap on how much cash you keep in your card account? It's a handy way to curb those impulse spends.

A smart move for budgeting is to transfer an amount you reckon will cover your needs onto your bank card.

Sure, worst-case scenario, you can always add more funds. It's just a tad more hassle, but hey, we're all about embracing those tiny inconveniences when it comes to spending, right?

Now, if you really want to level up, consider shaving off a little from that transfer each month. It's not a forever fix, but you might find yourself getting a bit savvier with each passing month this way.

Hide & Forget accounts

You know what they say, out of sight, out of mind! Well, until you forget about it completely, that is.

Here in Sweden, a chunk of folks clock in, pay their taxes, and lo and behold, a little slice gets whisked away to an ETF. It's like this secret stash most people don't even know they have.

I've come across folks who struggle to save even $100, yet they've got over a hundred grand squirrelled away there. Now, if that's not a genius move for saving, I don't know what is!

Sure, it's not the easiest trick to pull off for yourself, but hey, there's no harm in giving it a shot, right?

You could always stash some cash bills in a secret spot, but let's face it, they might end up lost. And tucking them under your mattress? Not exactly the most lucrative move since they won't earn you any interest there.

Some banks offer nifty ways to hide certain accounts. And if that's not an option, well, why not spread your cash across a couple of banks? Just make sure it doesn't end up costing you more in fees.

Now, hiding it in investments? Now, that's the jackpot. Imagine stumbling upon that hidden treasure down the line—it'll feel like hitting the jackpot!

Saving for a goal? Create a dedicated savings account for it.

Why not label an account "My New Car" and stash away your funds there? Assuming there are no pesky additional fees, of course.

Having separate accounts makes everything way more organized. You can see exactly what each pile of cash is earmarked for.

That's why we're all about recommending multiple accounts. It keeps things crystal clear, without your goal money getting mixed up with your day-to-day expenses or other savings targets.

You might also want to give our savings goal calculator a try to figure out how much you need to save away each month to hit your target.

Don't deposit your salary directly into your card account

Let me tell you, when your paycheck lands right in your card account, it's like an open invitation to spend, spend, spend. One swipe, and it's all gone!

But hey, if you stash it somewhere less accessible, you can actually plan ahead. You know, take a moment to think before you spend.

It's a game-changer for planning your budget, trust me. When you're not staring at a big pile of cash every time you check your balance, it's way easier to stay on track.

Now, if you're worried about missing any automatic payments, here's a little trick: set up a separate account just for those. That way, your card account stays nice and clear, ready for whatever you've got planned. But hey, you do you.

Create a pie chart of expenses

Let me tell you, this is like the holy grail of budgeting. It's simple, it's elegant, and it paints a crystal-clear picture of where your money's going.

We've all heard about how those little expenses can sneak up on you, and yeah, they can really add up. But sometimes, we end up sweating the small stuff while the big picture gets fuzzy.

Why waste your precious energy and time on something that might not even be worth it?

With just a basic, straightforward pie chart, you'll know exactly where to direct your focus. Trust me, it's like shining a spotlight on your spending habits—no more guessing games.

Move

Let me tell you, finding a cheaper place to hang your hat can be a game-changer. Rent or mortgage payments? They're often the biggest bite out of our budgets.

But I get it, moving? It's a whole ordeal. Packing boxes, saying goodbye to familiar spaces—it's no walk in the park.

Here's the thing though: sometimes, a change of scenery can save you a boatload of cash. And let's face it, when it's something you're shelling out for month after month, those savings really start to add up.

Honestly, scoring a sweet deal on housing? It's like hitting the jackpot in the world of savings. So keep your eyes peeled, because sometimes, a little move can lead to big savings.