It can be difficult to stretch your budget in a household with multiple people who have their own spending habits. Whether you’re looking for ways to cut back on expenses or just want to find little ways to save money, there are plenty of options when it comes to finding new money-saving jar ideas.
Whether you’re trying to save up so you can achieve a goal, like buying a house or sending your kids to college, or simply want to stop wasting money on things like fast food, now is the perfect time to start saving. Keeping money in separate jars not only helps keep track of how much you’ve saved but also prevents the problem of having small amounts of cash hidden away in places where they won’t be found until months from now.
Here are some great ideas that will help get you started!
1. Pay yourself first
One of the best money-saving jar ideas is to pay yourself first, even before you have a chance to spend the money. This might sound difficult, especially if you have bills to pay every month. However, if you choose to do this, you’ll be setting yourself up for success.
Make sure you have a separate account for this money; don’t use the same account you put all of your bills in. This way, you won’t be tempted to take it out and spend it. You can save this money toward one or two large purchases or a yearly goal, such as paying for your children’s college tuition or retirement. You can also use this account to pay for smaller purchases, like concert tickets or a new computer.
All you have to do is transfer the money from your regular account to the savings account when you get your paycheck. You’ll get used to the new, consistent transfer, and it’ll become second nature. And don’t forget about interest! Depending on your bank, you might be able to earn interest on your savings. This is a great way to make your money stretch even further.
2. A jar to help with lunches and dinners
Eating healthy isn’t always cheap, but it is something that can be very beneficial for a family trying to save money. It’s also something that most people would prefer to do but find themselves falling behind on. This can be for several reasons, but the result is the same: it’s used as an excuse to buy more takeout and eat out more often.
If you want to help curb this spending habit, start a jar for lunches and dinners. Depending on how many people are in your household, you can choose how much you want to spend each week or each month on healthy food. Any time you’re tempted to buy takeout put the money you would have spent into the jar instead.
3. Jar for household items
For common household items that you use regularly, like paper towels, toilet paper, dish soap, and more, put money into a jar. This is a great money-saving jar idea for things that you don’t necessarily need to purchase new all the time. You can also use it for things like light bulbs, batteries, and other small items like that.
Write down the name of the item and the amount you’re putting in the jar; you’ll be glad you did when it’s time to buy more! Whenever you see these items while you’re shopping, put them back on the shelf and take the money out of your jar. You’ll save a lot of money this way, especially when you consider how much some items cost.
This is a great option for kids, as well. Let them pick out their own items, and they’ll be excited to put their money in the jar. This is a great money-saving jar for kids because it teaches them the value of saving. It’s never too early to start saving money!
4. Jar for fitness and recreation
Do you have a fitness goal, like running a marathon or competing in a triathlon? Or are you simply trying to get more exercise? Create a jar for fitness and recreation to help you reach your goals. You can use this jar for anything related to being more active, including joining a gym, buying workout clothes, and more.
Be as specific or general as you want with this jar. It’s completely up to you how you want to track your progress. Not only will this jar help you meet your fitness goals, but it’s also a great way to save money. You may not be able to afford a gym membership upfront. This jar is a great way to save up for that and other related costs, like equipment or workout clothes. You’ll reach your goals in no time and save money along the way!
5. Jar for travel and adventures
A jar for travel and adventures is a great way to start saving for any trips or adventures you’d like to go on. This jar can be as big or as specific as you’d like. If you’re planning a big trip, like a honeymoon or a vacation to a different country, you’ll want a bigger jar. However, if you’re just planning a day trip to the state fair, a smaller jar will do just fine.
If you’re still not sure where to start, there are plenty of travel jar ideas out there. You can find inspiration from other people who have started saving for their adventures. While this jar is great for saving up for vacations and other travel-related expenses, it can also be used for other special occasions. Maybe you want to throw a big birthday party for one of your kids or you want to throw a surprise party for your spouse. Whether you want to go on a big vacation or spend the day at an amusement park, this jar is a great way to start saving for the things you want to do.
6. Jar for saving up for the things you want
This is another great jar for saving up for things you’d like to have, like a new TV or furniture for the house. You can start a jar like this with anyone in your family, not just yourself.
This is a great way to encourage your children to save up for the things they want, as well. This can be done with kids as young as five, as long as they understand that they’re saving up for something specific.
You can use this jar for anything you want, but it’s helpful if you’re specific about it. For example, if you want to save up for a new TV, write that on the jar so you know exactly what you’re saving up for. This way, you’ll know when you’ve hit your goal. A jar like this is helpful when you have multiple people trying to save and you have limited space for jars.
7. Jar for paying your debt
This money-saving jar idea is for a specific kind of debt: your credit card bill. Credit card debt is something many people struggle with, especially in today’s world of easy access to credit. If you’re in this situation, start a jar for paying off your credit card debt. Each time you get paid, put a portion of your paycheck into this jar. You can put any amount in that you’re comfortable with, as long as it’s enough to make a dent in your debt. This is a great way to get out of debt quickly.
When your jar is full, take that money and pay your credit card bill. This is a great way to see results quickly, as well as use your money in a way that will benefit you in the long run. You’ll be one step closer to getting out of debt and saving money on interest.
8. Jar for paying your bills
Does your household have a lot of expenses? A jar for paying bills is a helpful tool for making sure you have enough money on hand to make all your payments. You can use this jar for any combination of bills, including utility bills, credit card bills, and more. This is a great way to make sure you get your bills paid on time and have enough funds left over to cover groceries and other bills.
9. A jar to help with groceries
If you want to help with groceries, you can do so by creating a jar for groceries. Before heading to the supermarket, put the money you would have spent into this jar. This is a great way to keep yourself from spending too much on groceries. It will also help you keep track of how much you’re spending per month on food.
If you have kids, this is a great way to teach them about budgeting. They can put the money they want to spend on groceries into the jar each week. This will also help them learn how to shop for groceries by providing them with a budget and a grocery list to stick to it.
10. A jar for random purchases
When you’re trying to save money, the more organized you are the better. If there’s one jar that can help keep you in line, it’s the jar for random purchases. Before you head out to make a purchase, drop the money into this jar, so at the end of the month you can see how much you’ve saved.
Especially if you have children, getting them on board with this money-saving jar idea is a great way to prevent them from constantly asking for money to spend on random things. The money in this jar can only be used for things that aren’t necessities, so your child won’t be able to use it to buy lunch or go to the movies. It’s also a great way to teach them the concept of saving up for larger purchases like a toy they’ve been eyeing or even helping them with their allowance so they can learn how to manage their money.
11. Build up your rainy-day fund
A rainy day fund is something that everyone should have. No matter what your financial situation is, it never hurts to have some extra cash set aside in case of an emergency. A great way to help build up your rainy day fund is to create a jar specifically for this purpose. Deposit whatever money you can find at the end of each month into this jar. Once you have enough cash saved up to cover emergencies, you can stop putting money in this jar.
A final note
Saving money isn’t always easy, but it’s also not impossible. With the right jar, like the jar for random purchases or the jar to help with lunches and dinners, you’ll be able to better track your spending and help prevent yourself from spending too much. This will also help you save more, allowing you to achieve your financial goals more quicker!
