Let’s face it — saving money isn’t easy, especially when your income barely stretches through the month. Sometimes it feels like your salary lands today and disappears tomorrow. But what if I told you that saving isn't about how much you earn — it's about how smart you are with what you already have?
In this post, I'm not going to throw around generic advice. Instead, we'll go through practical, human-tested ways to save money every single month — even if your income is small. These are real, simple changes that don't require magic — just a bit of awareness and discipline.
1. Track Your Expenses – See Where the Money Is Going
You can’t fix what you don’t see. That’s why the
first step in saving money is knowing exactly where every shilling or dollar goes.
A simple notebook, Excel sheet, or a free app like Wallet can help you track your daily spending. Most people are shocked to discover how much they spend on “small things” like snacks, airtime, or random offers.
2. Create a Simple Budget – And Actually Use It
Budgeting isn’t punishment — it’s freedom.
When you assign every coin a job before the month begins, you avoid end-of-month surprises.
Use the 50/30/20
rule:
·
50% for needs (rent, food)
·
30% for wants (entertainment, comfort)
·
20% for savings or debts
Need help? Try this budget worksheet from NerdWallet.
3. Cut Down On Non-Essentials – Without Killing Joy
Do you really need Netflix and Showmax, and DSTV? What about that gym membership you never use?
Cutting doesn’t mean being miserable — it means choosing what truly matters. You can switch to free YouTube workouts or borrow books instead of buying every trending one.
4. Use Cashback and Discounts – Get Rewarded for Spending
Cashback sites like Rakuten
and Honey give you rewards and discounts on online shopping.
If you're in Africa, watch for supermarket promotions, Bonga Points, and loyalty rewards from digital wallets like M-Pesa or Airtel Money.
5. Buy in Bulk – Save More, Spend Less
Buying daily or weekly in small amounts
actually drains more cash than you realize. Bulk buying cuts down the price per
unit and the frequency of shopping.
Pro Tip: Team up with a neighbor or friend — buy wholesale and split the goods.
6. Cook at Home – Slash Food Costs
Eating out or ordering lunch at work every day
can eat up 30–40% of your income.
Start small: cook extra dinner and pack it for lunch. Websites like Budget Bytes offer great meal prep tips.
7. Automate Your Savings – Let Technology Help You
Set up automatic
transfers from your main account to your savings account every payday.
Even saving just $5/week builds a habit.
Apps like Chime and Digit can help automate this process — they even save your spare change.
8. Avoid Impulse Buying – Master Your Habits
Seen something on Instagram or Jumia you
didn’t plan for? That’s impulse buying. And it’s a killer.
To control it:
·
Follow the 24-hour rule: wait before buying
·
Use shopping lists
· Uninstall online shopping apps if you’re too tempted
9. Use Money-Saving Apps and Tools
Let tech make saving easier. Try:
· Kakeibo – a Japanese money mindfulness method
10. Saving is a Lifestyle, Not a One-Time Hack
You don’t need to be rich to save — you just
need a smarter system. That soda
you skipped or the impulse item you avoided today? It adds up.
Start with what you can, stay consistent, and soon you’ll feel the difference in your financial peace of mind.
Conclusion
Saving money is not just about being
disciplined — it's about being intentional.
With the tools and mindset shared above, anyone can start saving — even with a
modest income.
Got a tip or app that’s helped you
save? Share in the comments!
And don’t forget to check out our guides on how to start an online business and the best
side hustles in 2025.