One thing that many of us have learnt over the past few years is the importance of having financial backup in the form of savings. In the past, large numbers of people were perfectly happy as long as they had enough cash to spend and enjoy life, with some giving little or no thought to putting money aside. However, as many have come to realize since the onset of the global financial crisis, having financial backup is absolutely crucial. Saving can be difficult but there are ways to make saving money easier.

It has become imperative for everyone to try and put aside some money into a savings account. Of course, this is not an easy feat, particularly if you are on a limited income. However, every penny counts and even if you only put aside small amounts it can all add up over time.

There are a few tips that can make saving money easier This includes the following:

Set up a direct debit or standing order:

If you physically have to go and put money into your savings account, it can feel like quite a chore and you may end up making excuses not to do it. Worse still, you could end up spending the money you meant to put in savings before you get around to going to the bank. By opting for direct debit or standing order, you won’t have to lift a finger and your money will automatically go into your savings account which can make saving money easier.

Set a goal

If you find the thought of saving money for the sake of it uninspiring, you can set yourself a goal. For example, you might want to save towards a deposit on a house, towards a new car, or for that dream holiday. Set yourself and goal and get into the habit of putting money aside to achieve this goal, as it will be valuable practice for saving in the future.

Set milestones

It can seem like you are being pretty harsh to yourself if you’re putting away all of your spare money rather than splashing out on something nice. So, as a sweetener to yourself set a milestone and each time you reach it treat yourself to something nice. For instance, every time you save $500 splash out on something nice for yourself by spending 10-20 percent of it on a treat or taking a loved one out for a special treat.. This can help to motivate you and encourage you to save more.

By making saving more fun you will also make it easier on yourself. Therefore, try and find methods that will inspire you to save money rather than making the prospect of saving money seem like hard work. However, bear in mind that if you have debts, you need to prioritize on these, as the interest you are charged on borrowing is going to be far higher than the interest you earn on savings. If your debts have spiraled out of control leaving you struggling to make repayments, you should speak to experts such at debt charities that can help you.