Saving for your future, and to support your life’s plans, can feel daunting if you’re just starting out. And even if you’re years into your savings journey, your goals may grow more ambitious as life goes on.

No matter what stage you’re in, having a strategy that uses multiple saving vehicles can help you stay on track.

Let’s look at a few examples:

Reframe your thinking:
To help eliminate unnecessary or impulsive purchases, and boost your savings as a result, try rethinking the way you approach spending.

One strategy is to consider the price of an item in terms of hours worked. For example, premium concert tickets plus gas to get there might cost $500. If you earn $25 per hour, it would take 20 hours of work to cover that expense. Is that purchase still worth it?

You could also use the 30-day rule to reframe your thinking before making non-essential purchases. If you’re preparing to make a major purchase, or one that might stretch your budget, give yourself 30 days before buying. You can make a note in your calendar to remind you to check back in with yourself and decide whether spending the money is truly worth it.

Set up an automatic savings tool:
One example is a “spare change” account or app. These tools automatically round up purchases to the nearest dollar and collect the difference in a savings or other designated account.

For example, First Commerce offers the EvenUp Savings Account, which helps you save every time you spend.

Take the guesswork out of transfers:
Keeping the automation theme going, you can schedule transfers from your checking account to your savings account directly in your digital banking app. Choose a frequency that works for you—weekly or monthly—and an amount that aligns with your savings goals.

When you can set it and forget it, saving becomes effortless.

Throughout April, First Commerce Credit Union is celebrating Financial Literacy Month with tools and tips on saving and beyond to help you enjoy a Financial Fresh Start.

Explore SmartMoney Online, powered by Enrich, for more resources to help you build your savings strategy.

You can also check out this Saving for Goals course, which outlines actionable steps you can take, including assessing your financial situation and identifying factors to consider when choosing savings vehicles.