How to Automatically Start Saving More Money: Pay Yourself First!

Like going to the gym or eating a healthy diet, saving money is one of those concepts that’s simple to grasp but weirdly challenging to put into practice. We understand its benefits, agree that it’s essential to our well-being, and know that it’s something we should be doing. But paycheck after paycheck, it’s the same routine: after the bills have been paid and the regular expenses have been looked after, there just isn’t quite enough left over for our savings goals. We blame our lack of financial willpower and promise ourselves we’ll do better next paycheck, but more often than not, the cycle repeats itself. If this scenario seems all too familiar, consider automating your personal finances in order to pay yourself first.

Take Willpower out of the Equation

Paying yourself first is an effective savings strategy because it takes willpower right out of the equation. Rather than struggling to increase your self-control, you simply reduce your need to put it in action. When you get paid, a portion of your income is immediately funneled into your savings (the size of that portion is up to you—to figure it out, take your total monthly income and subtract your essential monthly expenses, then decide how much of the remainder you want going toward your savings goals). That portion may be small at first, but it will add up over time and get you in the habit of saving consistently. As your savings grow and as you make progress on your financial goals, you’ll see your monthly cashflow in a new light and prioritize your budget more responsibly. The best part is that you’ll be protected against future moments of budgeting weakness.

You can further reduce your reliance on financial willpower by automating your savings plan. This is extremely easy to do with Fox Communities Credit Union’s online banking, or mobile app and best yet – these transfers are free!

To set up automatic transfers within Fox’s online banking:

1. After logging in, hover over “Pay & Transfer” in the main menu and click on “Transfer Money”.
2. Follow the transfer prompts.
   • You can choose to set up a recurring transfer to automatically pay yourself on an ongoing basis.
3. Click on “I Authorize This Transfer” and you’re all set!

To set up automatic transfers on Fox’s mobile banking app:

1. After opening the app, tap on “My Accounts” in the menu on the lower part of the screen.
2. You’ll be prompted to log into your account.
3. Tap on “Pay & Transfer” and then tap on “Schedule New Transfer”.
4. Follow the transfer prompts.
5. Be sure to confirm your scheduled transfer by clicking “Accept” on the final screen.

By setting up a strategic system of automatic deposits and transfers, you’ll be saving money without having to think about. Consider incorporating one or more of the following tips into your automatic savings plan:

Automate your paycheck

Your employer can help you reach your savings goals before your paycheck even hits your bank account. Take advantage of any retirement savings plans offered through your employer—especially if they include employer match. If you get paid by direct deposit, ask your employer if they accept multiple deposit accounts. If so, have a portion of your paycheck deposited directly into your savings account each payday.

Automate your checking account

If your employer doesn’t have the ability to deposit some of your paycheck into your savings account for you, do the next best thing: set up a repeating automatic transfer from your checking account to your savings account. Schedule the transfer for shortly after payday—that way, as you budget out your month, your savings will already be safely tucked away out of sight and out of mind.

Automate your savings goals

Admittedly, throwing money into a generic savings account every month isn’t a particularly imaginative experience. It’s not representative of the future happiness you’re creating with your savings goals. Increase your motivation and excitement around saving money by reminding yourself of the specifics of your goals. With Fox’s online banking, you can create additional subsavings accounts for each of your goals and give them custom titles; alternatively, split your savings into subcategories within a budgeting app or spreadsheet. Watching the numbers grow beside “Surfing in Costa Rica” or “Dream house with patio and fire pit” is more compelling than simply “Saving.” Get even more granular by setting up regular automatic transfers into each of your subaccounts.

Automate your bills

Your savings won’t be able to accumulate if late fees and missed payments keep eating into your budget—set up automatic bill pay for your recurring expenses. Organize and streamline the process further by calling companies to adjust your billing dates. Grouping billing dates together can make them easier to track and manage.

Bonus tip: Look for extra opportunities to save

Once your automatic savings plan is in place, look for little ways to make additional contributions to your savings accounts. Empty the contents of your spare change jar once a year and deposit it into your savings. If you participate in any sort of cashback rewards program, consider putting that “extra” money toward your savings instead of spending it elsewhere. Also consider putting any future income tax refunds toward your savings. You can get creative in finding additional sources of income to help your savings along.

If you have questions about any of these savings tactics or features of Fox Communities Credit Union’s online banking or mobile app, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help!