It’s not always easy to think about the future when there’s so much to pay for right now, like groceries, bills, petrol, school trips, surprise repairs… it all adds up. And when money feels tight, saving can feel like a luxury, and like something you’ll do later when things calm down a bit. But the thing is, those future goals don’t wait, and they actually just get closer, and that’s why finding a balance is so important for you and everyone around you.

The good news is you don’t have to be perfect and you don’t have to save a massive amount each month – you just need to have some small things in place that make life a bit easier now and in the future, and with that in mind, keep reading to find out more.

Start With One Clear Goal

It helps to choose one thing to focus on; maybe it’s your child’s education, maybe it’s retirement, maybe it’s a first home, or perhaps it’s a proper emergency fund, and so on. Whatever it is, be clear about it. That way, when you do have money left at the end of the month – even if it’s not much – you know where it’s going and why.

Having a goal also helps when you’re making spending decisions because it gives you something to measure against, so it’s easier to say no to things you don’t really need, and yes to the things that’ll actually move you closer to where you want to be.

Make It Automatic

If saving is something you have to remember to do, it probably won’t happen often – not because you don’t care, but because life is busy and priorities change fast. So if possible, set up something automatic. Even a small amount a month is better than nothing, and if it’s automatic, you won’t have to think about it all the time.

This works especially well for long-term savings like an RESP, which is a registered plan that helps you save for a child’s education. The money grows over time, and government grants can add a bit more too, which makes a real difference later.

Look At The Little Things

You don’t always have to make huge changes to free up money, and sometimes it’s just about looking again at your everyday spending and seeing where the little leaks are, like the subscriptions you forgot about, the takeaway coffee you don’t even enjoy that much, and the deliveries that add up faster than you realise.

None of these are bad on their own, but together, they can eat into your budget, and changing just a few of them might make it easier to save for your future goals without changing your whole lifestyle.

Make Sure It’s Flexible

Some months will be tighter than others, so don’t get discouraged if you can’t save the same every time, or if something unexpected comes up and knocks you off track. Just start again when you can, and keep moving forward, no matter what setbacks you might come across – when you see the money you’re saving, you’ll be inspired to do more.

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