Let’s be real: saving money can feel like a punishment. You see all these articles telling you to cut out your morning coffee, skip dinners with friends, and basically live like a hermit. But here’s the thing—I saved $10,000 in one year, and I didn’t give up the things that make life enjoyable. In fact, I still went out with friends, treated myself to the occasional latte, and even took a weekend trip or two. Here’s how I did it (and how you can too).
1. I Tracked My Spending (Without Judging Myself)
The first step was understanding where my money was going. I’ll admit, I was nervous to start tracking my spending. I didn’t want to face the reality of how much I was spending on takeout or random Amazon purchases. But once I got over that initial fear, it was actually liberating. I downloaded a budgeting app (I use YNAB, but there are plenty of free options like Mint or PocketGuard) and started tracking every dollar. The key here was not to judge myself. If I spent $50 on takeout, I logged it and moved on. This wasn’t about guilt—it was about awareness.
- Why This Works: Tracking your spending helps you identify patterns. Maybe you’re spending 200amonthonsubscriptionsyoudon’tuse ,or 200amonthonsubscriptionsyoudon’tuse,or300 on impulse purchases. Once you see where your money is going, you can make intentional decisions about where to cut back.
- Pro Tip: Use a budgeting app that syncs with your bank account. It’s way easier than manually logging every transaction. And don’t beat yourself up if you overspend one week—just adjust and move forward.
2. I Set Up Automatic Transfers
Out of sight, out of mind. I opened a high-yield savings account (I went with American Express) and set up an automatic transfer of 200from every paycheck. That’s 200 from every paycheck.That’s 400 a month, or $4,800 a year. I didn’t even notice the money was gone because it happened automatically. And because it was in a separate account, I wasn’t tempted to dip into it for everyday expenses.
- Why This Works: Automating your savings takes the decision-making out of the equation. You’re less likely to spend money if it’s already tucked away in a savings account.
- Pro Tip: Start small. Even $50 per paycheck adds up over time. The key is consistency. And if you get a raise or bonus, consider increasing your automatic transfer amount.
3. I Cut Back on the Stuff I Didn’t Care About
I didn’t give up my morning coffee, but I did cancel a few subscriptions I wasn’t using (looking at you, Hulu and Peloton). I also started cooking at home more often, but I didn’t force myself to eat rice and beans every night. Instead, I found a few easy recipes I actually liked and stuck with those. For example, I discovered that I love making stir-fry—it’s quick, healthy, and way cheaper than ordering takeout.
- Why This Works: Cutting back doesn’t have to mean deprivation. It’s about prioritizing the things that bring you joy and letting go of the things that don’t.
- Pro Tip: Do a subscription audit. Go through your bank statements and cancel anything you haven’t used in the last 3 months. And if you’re not sure where to start with cooking, try meal prepping a few simple dishes on Sundays.
4. I Found Ways to Make Extra Cash
I didn’t go full-on side hustle mode, but I did find a few easy ways to make extra money. I sold some old clothes on Poshmark, did a few freelance gigs on Upwork, and even rented out my car on Turo when I wasn’t using it. These small efforts added up to about $2,000 over the year. It wasn’t a huge amount, but it made a big difference in reaching my savings goal.
- Why This Works: Side hustles don’t have to be time-consuming. Even a few hours a week can make a big difference.
- Pro Tip: Look for low-effort ways to make money, like selling items you no longer need or renting out stuff you already own. And don’t be afraid to get creative—there are so many ways to make extra cash if you’re willing to think outside the box.
5. I Celebrated the Wins
Saving money doesn’t have to feel like a grind. Every time I hit a milestone—1,000, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000—I celebrated. Nothing crazy, just a nice dinner or a small treat to remind myself that I was making progress.
- Why This Works: Celebrating your wins keeps you motivated. It’s a reminder that you’re making progress, even if it feels slow.
- Pro Tip: Set mini-goals along the way. Instead of focusing on the big 10,000 number, celebrate every 10,000 number, celebrate every 1,000 you save. And make sure your rewards align with your values—don’t blow your savings on something that doesn’t truly bring you joy.
The Bottom Line
Saving $10,000 in a year doesn’t mean you have to give up everything you love. It’s about making small, sustainable changes that add up over time. Start by tracking your spending, automate your savings, and find ways to cut back on the stuff that doesn’t matter to you. And most importantly, celebrate your wins along the way. You’ve got this.