By Tammy Bruzon, America Saves Communications Coordinator
What does “saving the extra” mean to you? Whether it is putting change in a piggy bank or moving everything not in the budget into savings, those three little words can mean big money down the road. This America Saves Week, try one (or all) of these three ways to save the extra:
- Add a savings line to your budget. Rent, utilities, internet. Every important piece of your financial picture gets a designated spot in your budget each month, so why not your savings? We don’t always consider our savings goals a priority in our short term savings and spending plan, but it ought to be. Prioritize your goals by adding a “savings” line with an affordable amount to your budget; pay yourself with each paycheck.
- Stow away the windfall. Did you receive notice of a raise for 2018? Maybe you have a bonus coming your way for a job well done. Whatever the bounty may be, allocate any unexpected funds to your savings goals. You won’t miss the percentage raise you receive, so divert it into your savings account. You weren’t expecting that bonus, so tuck it away for a rainy day.
- Split and save your refund. It’s a universal truth: saving at tax time can be a big step toward meeting your savings goals. This tax season, opt to split a portion of your tax refund into your savings account. For many of us the tax refund is the largest check we will receive all year, which provides the perfect opportunity to start or grow your savings goal.
Bonus! The SaveYourRefund promotion is sweetening the deal by giving you a chance to win one of 102 prizes up to $10,000 just for saving a portion of your tax refund using IRS Form 8888 and sharing your savings goal*. But you can’t enter to win unless you save, so make a commitment to yourself today.
Saving the extra is an easy and quick way to jumpstart your savings. As America Saves Week comes to an end, identify the ways that you and your household can save the extra and add a little boost to your bank account.
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and DC with a valid taxpayer ID number who are 18 years or older at time of entry and due a 2017 individual tax refund. Begins 12:01 am ET 1/22/18 and ends 11:59 pm ET 4/17/18. For how to enter and Official Rules, including odds, alternate method of entry, and prize descriptions, visit www.saveyourrefund.com/rules. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Build Commonwealth, Inc.
