Saving is one of those things we know we ought to do, but we don’t do because it feels so hard. We promise ourselves we’ll do it next time, and postpone it but we need to get started. Here are a five ways to get started now.
1. Figure out your dreams
Saving has to have a purpose, without purpose it seems like unnecessary punishment. First step write down all your dreams. Read Money 101 and go through the steps. Tell me you want to save because you want to buy that car, that house, furnish your apartment. After writing them all down, classify them based on time. Which can you afford with a month of saving, a year, three years or more? That way you are able to tell which one to start with. It helps you with delayed gratification, helping you get closer to your goal and give priority to the urgent ones.
2. Get A Mobile Banking Product.
Most Kenyans have Mpesa, Airtel Money, YuCash or Orange Money. A staggering 2o% of our GDP was transferred through mobile money in 2010. Many of us use it for small transactions, our side hustles and family money. It should also be part of the plan, often we spend it easily without noticing how much it is.
A mobile banking product such as MKesho or Orange Money can help you invest your M-Pesa funds. The purpose is to transfer the funds to an external account from your M-Pesa account. Rather than keeping unplanned money in an account,making it easy to spend, save it. Some people send in 10% of whatever they receive others up it to half of every amount they receive and either invest or save the money. However it takes a conscious decision to do so. Zimele have a savings and pension fund that can be topped up from Mpesa with as little as 250/=
3. Set Up Separate accounts
You need at least these savings account, an emergency account and a current account. Your Savings account should be where your short term and long term savings are. It might be wise to get a separate account for long term savings for example for a mortgage deposit or car deposit.
Removing your savings from your current account helps you adjust to spending less. This is because you work with what you see in the bank balance. The emergency account should be used if you have an emergency,losing your job is one of them. Using it to get out of a fix like spending too much while on holiday is a no-no.
If you can make sure it is as inaccessible as possible. It should be at least six months worth of rent, fuel and household spending. It’s what will save you if you are suddenly out of a job. George Lutta Media Initiative CEO is a firm believer in saving. Read his story here
4. Set up Standing orders
I get it, you don’t like the queues at the bank but in this case it is necessary. Take the time to decide how much you want to save monthly and visit the bank to set up standing orders. Most banks give one or two free ones but you may find you need more.
It is advisable to use a standing order for your rent, car loans, mortgage payments and school fees to avoid inadvertently spending the money. It also makes your life very convenient.
5. Live below your means
Especially if you are in your twenties, you CAN live below your means. You don’t really have to live in that swanky apartment right now, an affordable house will do and the extra money goes to making sure your future is better.
In your twenties you have little responsibilities, however it also is the time that you can easily waste money on things that don’t matter. A new car? Get a second hand one works as well and teaches you how to take care of it before you buy a new one. Live modestly now and make sure your future counts. Read more here on how to make sure your twenties count to your future.