How to Save with LOW INCOME
Вставка
- Опубліковано 15 чер 2024
- 11 Tips to Save on Low Income
Saving money is very difficult when you are not making that much money. There is a saying that goes, "Money comes slowly and leaves quickly," and for majority of people this saying rings true.
It is very difficult to make the money come in quicker, but we do have some control over the speed in which the money is leaving. We can use strategies to slow down the money leaving in order to save more money.
In this video I give "11 Tips to Saving on a Low Income."
1. Understand how income works
Income is not based on how hard you work. Income is based on the type of work you do and the industry that you are in. There are two ways to make money (1) physical labor and (2) mental labor. Understand that you can make more money (and save more) if you can use your mind to make money vs. your body.
2. Connect time with money
If you work on a wage or salary, money represents your time because you are selling your time in exchange for money. Before you make a purchase you should ask yourself, "Is this _______ worth ________ minutes of my time?" When you spend money on a bunch of useless stuff, you are throwing away your time.
3. Understand the difference between a want and a need
A want is something you can live without like a Netflix subscription. A need is something you cannot live without like food, water, and shelter. There are very few things that you actually need in this world. If you focus on satisfying your needs and not spending money on wants, you will save a lot of money.
4. Think small
The problem that many people have with saving money is they are thinking too big. They are thinking of ways to save hundreds of dollars; however, it is much easier to save $1 than $100. When saving, think small and try to cut every expense by $1 and at the end of the year you will save thousands of dollars.
5. Don't spend a lot of money to work
Working isn't free and if you are on a low income you could be making a lot less than you think. You might be spending a lot of money on things like commuting and eating out. Make sure that you are not spending too much money on things related to work because those are things you get nothing out of.
6. Track all expenses
In order to save the maximum amount of money, you first need to see where your money is going. Track all of your expenses in whatever way works best for you. Once you track it for a month or so, you can see areas that you might be overspending and can save.
7. Cut out the easy things first
Once you track your expenses, look at the areas that are easiest to cut out. Things like coffee, eating out, and entertainment are areas that you can easily cut out to save money. Tracking your expenses will make you more conscious and avoid spending money in certain areas.
8. Then, lower the more difficult things
Majority of your spending will come from rent, transportation, and food. These areas are more difficult to cut out than a cup of coffee, but if you really focus, you can lower these expenses. Look at these areas and think on how you can save money and these are the areas where you will save the most amount of money.
9. Pay yourself the difference
"Pay Yourself First" means that you should pay your own saving and investment accounts first. We use most of the money we work hard for to pay other people. However, once you are able to cut out some expenses and save money, you should use that money to pay yourself.
10. Separate the money
Banks have different accounts for different reasons. You should divide your money in different accounts so that you know what money is for saving and spending. When you pay yourself, you should put that in a different account so you do not spend it.
11. Use the money to make more money
There is only so much you can save if you are making a low income. In certain industries, it doesn't matter what position you are in, there might be a cap to how much money you can make. Invest in yourself to learn new skills in how you can get out of the low income environment and saving will become easier. - Навчання та стиль
What's one way to save when you are making low income?
bring your own water bottle everywhere. Skip the drink with meals when you eat out. It's healthier too.
Cook at home.
Grow your own food
@@lisag9493 There is a learning curve learning to garden. Start up costs money. I've learned to save seeds, can, dehydrate and freeze food. Long term it is worth growing a garden.
If grocery item is on sale, stock up when it’s half price 👍
This is how I decided to accept a part time cleaning job that Im currently doing: winter time I always gain weight. In order to keep that from happening, I decided to move more. Actually, I do already lead a sedentary lifestyle, but winter is the dangerous one especially around the holiday season.
So recently I accepted a cleaning job. It doesnt pay a lot but its still ok money. I go to move a lot- a go to the job on my bike, regardless the weather. Cycling is good for health, and I love cycling. Cleaning for several hours a week certainly is going to move that body- its not the easiest cleaning job. And I receive money for this. And listen to this now-the work is at a gym. I was given free gym membership on top of all!
So by accepting this job, I am getting money, moving my body-which I wanted, I wont panic before summer (haha), and a free membership. Im very happy with my decision this time! 🙂
I moved back with my family, that alone saved me over $1000! I know it's not as cool as living alone, but saving money is more important to me.
"It's very difficult to save $100 but very easy to save $1" another great Austin quote... if Austin ever writes a book he should just have a chapter with his quotes !
I love quotes, lol. Love to include them in my videos!
Austine is saying to save what one can but for real that does not mean much if one saves way too little!!!
I make less than 45k a year and I live very frugal life: I live in a studio apartment pay off, car is pay off, student loan pay off
4 months of cash 💰 in case of an emergency 🚨 and some savings too
Plus some 401k . Is not mutch but is enough for me.
I travel 🧳 twice a year to South America
And some money to have fun twice a month. Gym membership 💪🏻
Great job David!!
@@dorothypeck1372 Tks 🙏🏻
That’s really great. You’re disciplined
@@KathyJacksonSanDiegoRealEstate mistakes on the past, teach me on the hard way
You are doing great!
I live in a studio apartment for 6 years, before buying my 1-bedroom in a buyer’s market. Timing is important. Pick a safe neighborhood. Put down 20% or pay cash. Once you have a paid for home, you will be more risky in your job search because you will have less to lose. Freedom is great.
Whenever I’m tempted to buy dumb things I always think about what you said how much time I have to put up to buy things that don’t add value to my life. thanks Austin you saved me another $$$ more power to your channel bro 🙌🏻
I used a coupon today for a free chicken sandwich and asked if I could have it back to reuse it
They gave it back. Lol
That's awesome!😂
Lol, beyond Jewish
thank you!!! I showed your video to my son (17 yr old) who has only prepaid college tuition bill and a phone bill for expenses, but saved almost nothing from his fast food job last year. You have a gift for succinctly stating common sense financial wisdom. Love your channel!
Thanks!
For me the most important tip is to become more conscious of the difference between a want and a need. I often break this.
In the age of high inflation, one tip could also be making some stock of stuff you definitely need regularly, like detergents, food, etc .. as they will become more expensive. Potentially also getting some specialized tools to become less dependent on the system, being able to do stuff on your own.
Another important difference is between "wants" and "don't wants." With all the advertisers and aspirational media telling us all the time about how we're supposed to want everything under the sun, it was a pretty powerful revelation for me to realize that no, I don't actually want most of that stuff. If you're spending money on things you want but don't need, that at least gives you some amount of joy and fulfillment (as long as you're not doing it at the expense of things you do need). But if you're spending money on things you don't even want, all you get is the fleeting dopamine rush from having bought something.
SO TRUE about tracking all expenses! Most of us do NOT, and that's a shame! A few years ago, I finally decided, "Businesses track income and expenses, why the heck shouldn't I?" I can see where the money's going and also calculate PERCENTAGE OF INCOME SAVED.
So young and so wise, I like him. 🙂 I'm gonna subscribe.
Thanks!
It is exactly what I thinking about! If you know how to save in a minimum wage you will have a fortune when you earn more! A question of choice!
If people are saving on or close to minimum wage they are likely leaching off someone or something. The cost of services tends to be higher than the legal minimum and to earn more often takes both time and money which eat up saving to access. Making more allows for more saving only if expenses don't increase BUT the better paying jobs tend to cost to get access too.
@@donaldlyons17 yes that's true! Taking another job is incresing the chance to have more for investing. Cutting on consumation it is not always a good idea.
Step 1: stay single and don't have kids.
🤣
Yep, that’s my life with no regrets!
True
Nope, DINK
Not necessarily
Really good advice as always. I recognise there are people genuinely struggling to make ends meet but I believe there is a cost of lifestyle crisis rather than cost of living crisis.
Broke is a state of wallet
Poor isxa state of mind
@Dan Swildens I don't think governments want us to be frugal. They want us spending. They get a cut from everything we spend in taxes. Also if we're broke, they have more control over us.
um no many that have no life and not really living are struggling. Plenty are deciding should this check go to rent car or food they can fully pay all and that is not a life that is just trying to keep alive
Also who you hang around with is a big one.
If you only buy what you "need", you will be frustrated af. :D It's like an overly restricted diet. You end up binge eating (buying).
I've had this problem a few times so far.
Figure out your net income per hour and per minute. Then use that to determine how many hours/minutes the purchase would cost you. Still worth buying? Maybe or maybe not. But it helps you decide.
I do this! It works
Even better if you factor in after-taxes (and other non negotiable financial commitments) before figuring your hourly.
100% agree on your philosophy of wanting something and needing something. Draw the line at Netflix have you seen the rubbish on regular tv 🤣🤣😂
The most entertaining frugal person on UA-cam, saving money with a smile, I like that 😃✅
I love all your tips and advice, I found that I was spending way too much just getting to work, paying to park, eating out at lunch etc. I think a lot of us fall into this trap.
Yes, it all depends on your income. If you are making $200/day, spending $30 on commute and lunch is okay in terms of percentages. Absolutely don’t do this on minimum wage.
Another banger, great work Austin! Really like the way you explain these ideas in a simple and accessible way. I always try to do the same in my videos haha 😂
Me gusta your channel very much😁 you’re so helpful when it comes to making a little money go a longer way, I wish I’d had access to this years ago when I was so cavalier with money. I dread to think how much I’ve wasted over the years but the good thing is my attitude has completely changed and I encourage my young adult children to me more mindful than I was. Keep up the good work 👍
Thank you Austin, again a great video. Very helpful advice.
Your knowledge is so desperatly needed.
I sure benefit from living very close to my place of work. It's actually a 20 minutes (one way) walking distance. I also downsized my rent a year ago, a lifestyle adjustment that was quite difficult, but which has certainly freed up quite some significant amounts of money which I am using to pay myself FIRST. Thank you Austin for your very insightful videos. From Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪
I to a certain extent agree with your observation about mental vs physical labor. At the same time society needs a lot of people to build stuff, make things, take care of the sick and elderly, teach our kids and preserve law and order by being a police officer. It struck me during the COVID lock downs that most vital jobs actually include psychical work as well and that all the "desk work force" don't make the big difference, even though I am a desk officer and have a brain job as well
Yeah the people that actually do the real work not sit around chatting how to line their pockets are the ones really important to anything actually getting done.
This was super helpful. I love how you divided labor into 2 categories.
In one sense it is simple, practical advice… in another sense it is brilliant. Thanks for sharing.
First rule of Finance....Spend less than you earn.... The equation is I > E (Income 'greater than' Expenses) Learn to live on 80% of your income and you'll never get into debt, but will amass great wealth over time. 🧐
Not if you make small amounts of money. Ask any UA-camr if the career low wage earners are on average as rich as the career high wage earners as a rule. They will likely tell you that all else being equal income was the biggest wealth building tool for the majority of the population. Not having debt means one only pays the sticker price but none of that wil matter if one can outpace the prices debt or not.
I'm a nurse and use both my body and my mind to make money.
Pay yourself first... But make it high. Scrounge for the rest. That's the only thing I would say differently. Don't pay what is left over. Too forgiving. Great Channel and great advice! 😃
PS here where I live physical labor pays way more!!!
half my paycheck goes into savings, no exceptions! frugal the rest of the pay period
Great video Austin ❤️. Definitely easier to save a dollar at a time then 100 at once.
Austin you provide such helpful information. Each video I watch , provides food for thought and I have already taken action on your suggestions 🙌Keep them coming I am sharing them with friends and family!!
Thanks, Carmen!
I'm learning so much from you. Thanks for sharing I've binge watched all your content. And now I am happy 😊 for new info. I had to pause video and write this ok back to video....
Right on! Thanks, Marilyn!
Hola Austin-Agustin! Acabo de descubrir tu canal y ya se lo he recomendado a varias amigas. I love It!! Me encanta la forma que tienes de explicar las cosas (por fiiiiin entiendo muchas cosas!), Gracias!🤗 Con certeza,.voy a ver todo el contenido de tu canal! Thanks again😘💚 desde Quito, Ecuador (eventhough I'm from Caracas, Venezuela). Eres un bacán! (I mean: very cool:)💫🦋
Desde Quito?! Viví en el sur de la ciudad detrás del CC Recreo, jaja. Muchas gracias, Mariluz y estoy feliz que estas desfrutando mis videos. Quiero visitar Venezuela un dia porque me encanta el acento, jaja.!!
I love your channel! Buenísima toda la información y como explicas todo. De seguro eras un gran profesor 💪
Gracias, Horacio!
Love your videos. Great advice.
I'm thanking The Most High for your existence. I've been asking for a financial advisor for a little while now and this morning (with $3 currently in my account) you appeared in my feed. I obviously have to subscribe. 🙏🏾💚
I appreciate it! Good luck on your journey!
Thanks for the content ! Keep up the good work ! 👍👌
Muchas gracias por estos buenos consejos🌷
Thank you for this great advice! Im constantly checking out books on saving/consumerism/being frugal etc. at the library and unfortunately most of them have been quickly returned. Making money issues more complicated and harder to understand clearly makes the book thicker but the reader annoyed. I like your channel because your advice is bite sized, easy to understand and follow! Reminds me of the book I just finished reading called “Goodbye Things” Fumio Sasaki. This book was a quick and simple read yet has had the most impact on my life financially, for the better. Anyways, long story short I hope you’re putting all your advice into book format!
@@Courtney-vx3bw I just returned her book to the library a few weeks ago. At first I liked it and then it got to be just okay, so I stopped reading. Mainly it’s a style of writing issue for me. Recently stopped reading “Stuffocation” for the same reason but currently reading “In Cheap We Trust” and loving it. However the book could be more simplified BUT the author’s sense of humor and storytelling style has me captivated.
The book that changed my life over 20 year's ago was Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez. I never looked at money, stuff and time the same way again. I paid my mortgage off in 3 years 7 months after reading it.
@@Michelle_Emm thank you for sharing this! Hopefully I can get it at the library, definitely want to read it now. 🙌
@@Michelle_Emm Same hare.
@@Michelle_Emm Same here
Rent of $650, wow! That alone is a huge savings.
Yes, I really lucked out!
I think a lot of what he is saying is good advice, but I think some people would have to be careful that this doesn't turn into an unhealthy obsession. Also, at least in the videos, I have watched which has only been a couple, did I hear him talk about dating, getting married and starting a family. It's possible, but good luck finding someone who is a frugal as he is. He could find someone who is decent with money but not at his level and then they would either have to compromise or the relationship could end.
love your videos thank you for posting
My name is Mona. I once worked for $1.15 an hour.
Hope those days are gone!
Amigo gracias por El tiempo que das a videos .
me encanta tu manera de explicar ! ojala que logres tus propositos! te lo mereces!!!!!
Gracias!
Well explained.
Converting price of something into time to earn that much (after taxes) is something I used when I was working.
Cost of working: sandwiches, coffee, takeaways Is something I try to get across to my Grandson when I'm going through his bank statements for his tax return.
I always spare at least 10% of whatever I make and never touch it. then I adjust my budget on the rest of it.
First. 😀. I invest in myself but I don't save. Thank you for your videos.
Savings never hurts but increasing earning potential if you can is what I think will be more useful too.
One of your video tips was so good, I typed it up and taped it to my monitor where I see it several times a day. Thus, when I'm out and about, it runs through my mind and keeps me from spending money. The tip? "To save $10,000, you must make 10,000 $1 decisions."
And those one dollar decisions can't have other one dollar deductions either.
Hey Austin, any chance you could share a blank version of your spreadsheet? I love the pie chart and have no clue how to add that to a spreadsheet.
great tips---- especially asking oneself---is the time it took to earn that one dollar worth what we're spending it on? Simple but profound when we're in the low income mode.
Always good advice
You put a lot of thought into each of these vlogs. I have a personal question, how much is just your rent per month. I ask this bec instead of rent, I have a mortgage at about 650 per month. I have been paying it off faster. And, I still save. I have been debating to pay it off completely and save less in the short term, let's say in three years.
Always appreciate the comments, Kevin. You seem to always be one of the first, so thank you for that. My rent is actually the same as yours! It's a good number that is never overwhelming!
@@ElAgustin except mine is a mortgage. Your rent is good value for the front range.
@@kevinfestner6126 I would ramp up saving for an emergency, home repair fund and retirement. Compound interest is your friend. This coming from an old person who's kicking self for not saving more in my younger years.
Mine is $659, I am there with you. Got locked in on a low fixed interest rate. It’s good knowing we aren’t the typical house broke AmeriCANT
@@noreenn6976 already doing it. I save from my 20 to 60 pct of what I gross.
Muchos Grasias
a Ti! I can still spot Vessy's comments! haha
muy bien, chico
Pocket tshirt is winning! I cut my own hair, wash my own car, make my own coffee.
Thank you so very much you are very wise and I , for one, appreciate you very much
Wants and needs is a simple concept but many people don’t get it .
Even if they got it sometime it just does not matter because if something is too expensive or comes up stuff could collapse either way.
I simply Love your videos ❤
What is a want VS what is a need ? Business practice class. Jr High 1971. Ahhh I remember so well.
I got married at 15 and had children and then even adopted children so I was always playing catch-up with my finances because kids always need some thing plus the pesky little darlings? You just Gotta keep feeding ‘em. Lolol.
So Truth is for me it took an awful long time 32 years actually to design and build my dream house of 14 rooms which I lost within 10 years due to cancer and divorce. At best, life can be very precarious.
Everyone’s grown and gone and living all over the world having their own children and grandchildren. I am in a elderly housing apartment and the desire for things when we get older, I’m 65 now, old hippie I guess, well the desire for things and stuff and clutter and junk just falls by the wayside. Currently my wants are actually my needs. Prepping food medicine toiletries tools and all that sort of thing water of course. So when you have too many clothes and you have old T-shirts cut them up into squares to use as permanent paper towels or rags. We simply have so much that it is easy to rethink and reuse things. Because these apartments do not have fireplaces and the heat is electric (Massachusetts here. Cold winters ). I bought a Mr. buddy heater and much much propane a small butane stove and much much butane and a sterno stove and much much Sterno we have fire alarms and I bought a carbon monoxide alarm that runs on electricity and batteries. And a few fire extinguishers. I think the order of the day is preparing for what has been coming upon us now for several years. Excellent channel you’re doing a great job thank you
All those heaters dangerous? Breathing gas?
This was interesting… you make saving money fun! About cars.. 5 and a half years ago i bough a 2012 Toyota prius for €10.000. Still allot of money but! 5 and a half year later i never had any repair costs or issues with the car. Only my yearly maintenance. And the prius is great on gas. 4,2L on 100 km. And here it comes! 5 and a half year later now in 2022 with the ridiculous used car prices my 2012 prius is still worth. €8.000! So i drove 5,5 years for €2.000! To my work it’s 17 kilometer. But the Prius’s consumption is 1 liter on 25 kilometer. So i don’t use a liter gas to get to work! Now that’s saving. Next step would be an EV but those cars you don’t have for 10k…
And you have the 10K to buy the car with. Imagine what you would do without the money to buy it with to begin with.
$5 a week for my child. + birthday money, Christmas money etc. 18 years later- give child a cheque for $5k towards a car for his employment living rural 👍❤️
Nice!
My friends think I am crazy because I sold my car. I. Live a half of miles from grocery store pharmacy doctors and library ..i love to walk every where I go.
I watch also minority mindset but this is more real for me.Thank you
Thank you for improving your audio 😉
I'm trying! Thanks for noticing!
Can you recommend what sorts of things are good to invest in please?
The easiest way for me to save money was to make money. I did this by working overtime making 1.5 my basic hourly rate. Of course, overtime came easy because I worked in the medical field.
Gracias
开源节流😊😊
Yes Austin.
Yes, Fiona!
Would you do a step by step on generating the spending excel spreadsheet. I am familiar with excel, but it would be nice to see the spreadsheet created on uTube.
I binge watch all your videos AND let the commercials run.
For me, the easiest way to save was via a 401K plan at work. I live in California so adding up sales, state income, social security, and Medicare, I really only got to spend about 50% of what I earned. With that reasoning, if I put 10% of my income in my 401K, I really only was losing 5% of my purchasing ability. I always knew, by being thrifty, I could always cut my expenses by 5% or more. That 10% plus the company 2 1/2% match adds up over the years.
I just checked my 401 k. I’ve already lost five grand on it. I’m hoping by the time I retire, hopefully in seven years, that there’s actually something left in it for me to retire with!
@@cherylT321 If you're still working and putting money it, you're buying stocks at a 20-30% discount to where they were 6 months ago. There are bear markets every 2-3 years. They do come back and advance to higher levels. Look at the DOW and S &P over the last hundred years. The line looks like its goes straight up, you can hardly see the dips. No other investment has consistently performed as well.
@@richardt1792 Thank you
I used to do this, whenever I wanted to buy something. I would tell myself how many hours I need to work in order to buy it.
Your message is so inspiring. Thank you 🙏.
Thanks!!
A younger Charlie Sheen could be your brother. I am subscribed and a bit addicted to your channel. I'd be debt free tomorrow if I could. My online business definitely makes more than I made per hour. I want for very little. I need very little as well.
If you watch your pennies your dollars will take care of them self.Small steps add up !
Not really the most important part is making dollars and watching them! My point is I can loose hundreds and still be fine clearing thousands.
started paying myself first and i have gained peace of mind and an emergency fund!
But…I really need ice cream 🍨 and Netflix to keep my sanity 😁
Damas y caballeros!... me gusta el Agustin
I love that phrase.
To live within your means you need to be able to live off 80% of your net income. That 20% is for unforeseen circumstances problems with your car your washing machine needs replacing etc etc this should keep your out of debt.
You live in CO Springs?? We are going there in a few weeks. I would love for you to meet my husband. Can we buy you a coffee? ☕️
My grandma always said dream big and wish small, dreams cost nothing and small wishes are achievable for everyone
👍👍
The best way to save on a low income is to find a second job like freelance work or drive for Uber. I did this and paid off credit card debt.
Buy a basic accounting book or borrow one from the library. Learn how to prepare a yearly spreadsheet on which you write down your monthly fixed expenses, monthly income, daily expenses and whatever is left over at the end of the month goes into savings.
Great Video Austin, I had a great Grandmother who gave me a lot of similar tips. "If you make a dollar you can save a dime" pay yourself first" "Always live below your means" I also read a great book a number of years ago, "Your money or your Life" which applied the similar principal how many hours do you have to work to make purchases. If you make $15 an hour. How many hours do you have to work to buy a new pair of sneakers etc. It's a great way to evaluate purchases.
Confirmed: tracking expenses help with all the rest. I use MS Excel as well.
❤️
Wanting and needing less is important. Also is what you are trading your time for robbing you of your happiness and sanity? Really all about balance.
Any good jobs that have mothers hours? My little one goes to preschool 9-3.
Bookkeeper. Lash tech and cosmetology as a side gig. I'm bearly making enough for rent.
Do you use saving apps? Do you invest in anything?
Uncle Sam wants my money, we Paid thousands of dollars yearly just in taxes: federal taxes/ state taxes/ local taxes/ park and recreations taxes, property taxes and so forth. Living in America is NOT Free at all. We paid for everything ( even the air we breath ) having said that we have to look the way your are doing it , to save some money to the penny.
When i was a kid i thought adults got paid several thousands a week..boy was i wrong ..i even thought jobs had cafeterias that workers got free food also..nope .
If you didn't live at home would you have held a different job for 7 years to earn more money?
Mental jobs - except for teachers. #GREATRESIGNATION
how to save on disability money
Plumbers and Electricians make good money, and they don’t have to pay back student loans.
Well they also have very hard jobs. And both likely spent time either years in apprentice or thousands in school, supplies, etc. School loans are not the problem in my experience the issue is the income after school vs. expenses.