How I Saved $600 Without Even Trying

I am notoriously bad at saving money. Budgeting has always been a struggle for me, mainly because I screwed up my credit pretty bad when I was younger.

I sign up for recurring subscriptions and forget about them until the money is taken out of my bank account.

I’m still struggling with having a proper budget (and believe me, I’ve read about a zillion blog posts and have tried different programs, apps, and templates).

Even when I have a separate savings account, it’s easy for me to just transfer the money to cover bills.

Investing seems too much like a challenge.

So, how do I have over $600 saved right now? [Edit: Since I’ve written this post, my savings are now up to $1000)

Enter Digit

Well, I mentioned the “signing up for things and forgetting about them”. That’s sort of what happened with the savings. A few months ago, in one of those money-saving articles, I read about Digit. Their tagline is “Save money, without thinking about it.”

Appealing, right?

I couldn’t even tell you when I signed up for it, but according to my history, the first withdrawal of $1.74 happened in November. The first few withdrawals were small – less than $5. That’s a direct correlation of what was available in my bank account.

Digit checks your spending habits and moves money from your checking account to your Digit account, if you can afford it.

I know it sounds pretty crazy but I see the transactions with “Hello Digit” on my bank statement and don’t really think about it. Sometimes, it’s as much as a cup of coffee. Other times, it’s what I would spend on a dinner at a restaurant (but didn’t).

I don’t have to think about it – and that’s been the most effective way of saving money right now.

If you’re interested in trying it out, use my referral link.  (I do get $5 if you sign up using my link). You can always pause the withdrawals, and your money is available for withdrawal 24/7/365 (but I personally try to forget about that).

Update: Since I’ve written this post, Digit has announced that they will now be charging a $2.99 monthly fee for their service after the first 100 days. They will also be upping their Savings Bonus from 0.20% to 1%. More details here.

What’s your biggest struggle when it comes to budgeting? How are you overcoming the challenges when it comes to saving money?

 

Free Kindle Books

Hey y’all. Quick post to tell you guys about a site I am currently obsessed with. (For my REAL post from today, click here. I know, I’m blogging again. Crazy.)

Back to the site…

We know I love love LOVE my books and I am opposed to e-readers. Well, I was opposed to buying an E-Reader just for the sake of having one but now that I have my iPad, and there’s a Kindle app…I was still resisting.

Until.

UNTIL this site appeared on my radar.

Pixel of Ink

Pixel of Ink is, from their About page:

Pixel of Ink features daily publishing of Free & Bargain eBooks.

Here’s what you will find for both the Kindle and Nook:

  • Free eBooks – both the Limited Time Offers and often forgotten but Popular Classics
  • Bargain eBooks that are highly rated (4-stars and up) yet a bargain at under $1under $3, or under $5
  • eReader accessories for the Kindle and Nook that are an absolute steal of a deal (i.e. 50% off or more)

Prices & availability are accurate at the time of posting and are subject to change, and may differ from one country to another.

~*~*~

So, basically, free Kindle books.

They also have this page with useful links that have all sorts of deals, not just for books. So, ya know, go ahead and bookmark it.

I am in no way, shape or form affiliated with Pixel of Ink. Just wanted to share an awesome new site.

They’re also on Facebook.

Happy reading!!

Savings, Dealios, Etc etc

Hello my loves,
I LOVE a good sale & I know that you do too!  This post is just to share with you some of the ‘sale’ sites that I have bookmarked, justincase you haven’t already signed up for a FREE account.

You never know when that perfect item that you need for your kitchen/trip/personal style/work wardrobe/date night outfit/whatever your heart desires will be on sale so why don’t you just sign up for these?

I suggest (if you want to keep it separate) creating a GMail account just for sales, surveys, etc that you can then tack on to your main account so it’ll be convenient but not in your face.

Here are a few:

Special for Moms & Mom-t0-Bes:

Totsy – Why you will love Totsy

  • Exclusive sales for kids, moms and families
  • Sales last up to 3 days, plenty of time to shop.
  • Savings of up to 90% off retail.
  • A tree is planted for your first purchase.
  • Membership is free
  • 100% green.

Zulily – Daily deals for moms, babies & kids.

Other goodies

Fab.com – I can’t tell you how much I LOVE this site. All their sales are fantastic and their referral program is kick-ass. There’s something for EVERYONE.

Modnique

Ideeli

Rue La La (You can also get savings from UPromise when you shop from Rue La La)

HauteLook (Savings from UPromise)

RowNine

One Kings Lane (Home decor)

Gilt (Also provides Upromise savings)

Beyond the Rack

Billion Dollar Babes

the Foundary

The Sample Sale

That, my loves, is all that I have for right now. I will also have a blog post on coupon blogs that I love soon!

Much love!