Because the best savings plan is the one that runs itself.
Let’s face it—saving money consistently can be hard. Life gets busy, unexpected expenses pop up, and it’s all too easy to “skip just this month.” But here’s a simple secret to staying on track: automate your savings.
When you set it and forget it, you take willpower out of the equation and make progress happen on autopilot.
In this article, I’ll show you how to make saving automatic (even if you’ve struggled in the past), how to stay motivated along the way, and how to make saving feel good instead of like a punishment.
Why Automation Works
Automating your savings removes two of the biggest roadblocks:
✅ Forgetting to save
✅ Temptation to spend
By setting up automatic transfers, your money moves before you even see it—or get the chance to spend it. That’s how small, consistent actions turn into big financial wins.
5 Easy Ways to Automate Your Savings
You don’t need to be tech-savvy or super disciplined. These automation strategies are quick to set up and easy to adjust as needed.
1. Auto-Transfers from Checking to Savings
Set up a recurring transfer from your checking account to your high-yield savings account right after payday.
💡 Pro Tip: Use a savings account like SoFi Checking & Savings, which lets you create separate savings “vaults” and automate transfers for each one. No fees, and it earns up to 4.60% APY.
2. Split Your Direct Deposit
Ask your employer to send a portion of your paycheck directly into savings. Even 5–10% adds up fast and you won’t even miss it.
3. Use Savings Apps
Apps like Acorns round up your purchases and save or invest the spare change. Others, like Rocket Money, help you analyze your spending and move “extra” cash into savings automatically.
4. Automate Credit Card Cash Back or Round-Ups
Some banks and credit cards let you round up each purchase to the nearest dollar and deposit the change into savings or apply it toward debt.
5. Schedule Recurring Transfers to Sinking Funds
Set up recurring contributions to separate goals like vacations, car repairs, or annual bills. Learn how to do that with my article on Sinking Funds (coming soon).
How to Stay Motivated to Save
Saving money shouldn’t feel like punishment. When it feels like a chore, you’re more likely to stop. Here’s how to keep it fun and personal:
Use Nicknames in Your Savings Accounts
Naming your savings goals makes a big difference. Instead of “Savings,” try:
- “Emergency Fund (Do Not Touch 🚫)”
- “Italy 2025 🇮🇹”
- “New Laptop Fund 💻”
- “Financial Freedom Fund 🔓”
This makes your savings feel real and reminds you what you’re working toward.
💡 Most online banks like SoFi or Empower let you customize your account names for extra motivation.
Give Yourself Some Flexibility
Saving doesn’t mean you have to give up all joy. Here’s how to find the balance:
👉 How to Save Without Feeling Deprived
You’ll learn how to spend with intention while still making progress toward your financial goals.
Bonus: Visual Tools to Stay on Track
Want to see your progress? Use a savings tracker or dashboard to monitor your goals.
You can:
- Download a printable tracker (coming soon!)
- Use a spreadsheet or budgeting app like Rocket Money
- Create a vision board or tracker in Canva
Visual reminders make saving more rewarding and keep you focused on the why behind your goals.
Set It and Forget It
Automating your savings is the easiest way to turn good intentions into real results. Once it’s set, your money works for you—even when life gets busy.
Start small, stay consistent, and let automation do the heavy lifting.
