A year ago, I looked at my bank account and realized something had to change. I wasn’t in debt, but I wasn’t getting ahead either.
Money seemed to disappear each month. I decided to set a goal. I wanted to save $7,000 in one year.
That number felt big, almost scary. But I broke it down. It meant saving about $583 a month or about $135 a week.
Still a challenge, but more doable when I looked at it this way.
I didn’t make any big changes overnight. I didn’t get a raise or a second job. I just started doing a lot of small things that added up. Here’s how I did it.
1. I Tracked Every Dollar
Before I started saving, I had to know where my money was going. I wrote down everything I spent. Groceries, coffee, rent, phone bills, small things, everything.
I used a free app for this. You can also use a notebook or spreadsheet. It doesn’t matter how you do it. Just write it down.
After a month, I saw my spending habits clearly. I was spending too much on takeout, coffee, and random stuff I didn’t need. This step alone changed how I looked at money.
2. I Cut My Food Spending
Food was one of my biggest expenses. I used to eat out four or five times a week. Sometimes more.
I started cooking at home. I didn’t go fancy. I made simple meals like rice bowls, pasta, soups, and eggs.
I bought frozen vegetables and used a lot of beans and lentils. These are cheap, healthy, and easy to cook.
I made coffee at home too. I stopped buying $5 lattes. That saved me at least $80 a month.
Meal planning helped a lot. I picked 3 or 4 meals for the week and bought only what I needed. I avoided food waste and saved time too.
Total saved: around $250 a month
3. I Canceled Subscriptions
When I looked at my spending, I noticed I had seven active subscriptions. Some were $5, some were $15, and one was $40 a month. I didn’t even use most of them.
I kept only two. I canceled the rest. That move alone saved me over $70 a month.
If you forget what you’re subscribed to, check your email or bank statement. Cancel the ones you don’t love or need.
Total saved: around $840 a year
4. I Started a “No Spend” Day Every Week
Once a week, I didn’t spend any money at all. No takeout, no shopping, no drive-through coffee.
I made food at home, walked instead of driving, and stayed off shopping sites.
This habit made a big difference. It helped me break the habit of spending just because I felt bored or tired.
Sometimes I had more than one “no spend” day. But one day a week was my goal.
If I spent $20 less on each of these days, that’s about $1,000 saved over the year.
5. I Used Cash for Fun Spending
I gave myself a small amount of “fun” money each week. Maybe $20 or $30. I took it out in cash and kept it in my wallet.
When the cash was gone, that was it. No more spending until next week.
This helped me stop impulse buying. Swiping a card feels easy. Handing over cash feels more real.
I learned to enjoy my money more. I picked one or two things each week I really liked instead of buying random stuff.
6. I Sold Stuff I Didn’t Use
I looked around my home and found things I never touched. Clothes I hadn’t worn in years. A bike I never rode. Kitchen tools I didn’t use.
I sold them online. I used local selling apps and websites. It took a little effort but it paid off.
Over the year, I made about $500 from selling things I already owned. The extra space in my home felt good too.
7. I Switched to Cheaper Phone and Internet Plans
I called my phone company and asked for a better deal. They gave me a discount for being a loyal customer. I saved $15 a month just by asking.
Then I switched my internet plan to a slower but still decent speed. It still worked fine for streaming and work. That saved another $20 a month.
In total, I saved $35 a month, which added up to $420 a year.
8. I Used the Library
I love to read. I used to spend $30 to $50 a month on books and audiobooks.
Now I use the library. Mine offers free ebooks, audiobooks, and movies. I can place holds online and pick them up when ready. It’s easy and free.
Some libraries even offer tools, puzzles, and games to borrow. I was surprised by how much I could get without spending money.
Total saved: around $500 a year
9. I Planned My Shopping
I used to go to the store just to “look around.” That always led to spending. Now, I shop with a list. If it’s not on the list, I don’t buy it.
Before buying something online, I wait 24 hours. If I still want it the next day, I decide if it fits my budget.
I also use coupons and cashback apps. A few dollars back here and there added up over the months.
This helped me cut down on random spending by about $100 a month.
10. I Made Small Lifestyle Swaps
I walked more instead of driving short distances. I line-dried my clothes instead of using the dryer. I used a fan instead of the AC on cool days.
I borrowed things instead of buying. I hosted simple potlucks with friends instead of going out.
These weren’t huge changes, but they saved money and helped the environment too.
Some months I saved $50 this way, other months more.
11. I Put My Savings in a Separate Account
I opened a free savings account at a different bank. Every time I saved money, I moved it there.
I called it my “goal fund.” Seeing it grow felt exciting. It made saving fun.
I also set up an automatic transfer of $100 every paycheck. I treated it like a bill I had to pay.
By the end of the year, that habit alone added up to $2,400.
My Total Savings Breakdown
Food savings: $250/month = $3,000/year
Subscription cuts: $70/month = $840/year
No spend days: $20/week = $1,040/year
Selling stuff: $500/year
Lower phone and internet bills: $35/month = $420/year
Library use instead of books: $40/month = $480/year
Planned shopping: $100/month = $1,200/year
Lifestyle swaps and walking: $50/month = $600/year
Automatic transfers to savings: $200/month = $2,400/year
I didn’t do all of this perfectly every month. But even when I slipped up, I kept going. In the end, I saved over $7,000.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a big income to save money. You just need to pay attention and make small changes that stick.
Saving money isn’t about saying no to everything. It’s about choosing what matters. I still had fun. I still enjoyed life. I just spent with more care.
If you want to save $7,000 this year, start small. Track your spending. Pick one area to cut. Then build from there.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to keep going.