People who save money easily, even when they don’t have a big salary, often follow these 6 simple habits

I’ve always been fascinated by people who manage to save money without seeming to sacrifice all the fun things in life. Early on in my entrepreneurship journey, I bounced between feast and famine cycles.

One month, my startup was thriving and it felt like I could afford anything—fancy coffee drinks, upgrades to my workspace, and the occasional weekend getaway.

The next month, I’d be pinching pennies, trying to figure out how to keep the lights on. But along the way, I met some incredible folks who managed to stretch every dollar and still enjoy life.

Today, as a full-time writer, I often reflect on the lessons I learned about money management. Through trial, error, and a whole lot of resilience, I discovered that there are a few common habits shared by people who save money with ease—even on a tight budget.

Below, I’ll walk you through these six simple habits, and I hope my story can encourage you to make small changes that will grow into big savings.

1. They Track Their Expenses Religiously

One of the biggest wake-up calls I experienced was during my early entrepreneurial days. I had no clue where all my money was going. I’d receive a payment from a client, and a week later, I’d be wondering why my bank account had dwindled so much. Then, a mentor suggested I keep track of every single penny I spent.

At first, it felt tedious, but I realized very quickly that this habit actually reduced my financial stress. When you know where your money is going, you can spot patterns and habits you never noticed before. Maybe you’re spending more than you realize on takeout. Maybe those daily runs to the coffee shop are draining your wallet faster than expected.

People who save money easily have mastered this practice. They set up budgets—whether it’s a spreadsheet, a budgeting app, or even an old-school notebook—and they track their expenses daily or weekly.

The benefit? It’s not just about guilt-tripping yourself. It’s about awareness. When you’re aware, you can make choices with intention instead of regret.

2. They Automate Their Savings

When my business was just starting to find a bit of stability, I set up an automated transfer to my savings account every time I got paid. Even if it was only $20 here or $50 there, the key was consistency. The automated approach to saving money felt like “out of sight, out of mind.” I no longer had to rely on my willpower to remember to stash something away—it just happened on its own.

This trick is hugely helpful for people on tight budgets. If you wait until the end of the month to see what’s left over before you save, you’re likely to end up with nothing in that savings account.

By automating a small amount to funnel into savings, you’re essentially paying yourself first, before you even see that money in your checking account. Over time, these small contributions add up in a big way.

3. They Have Specific Goals (and They Write Them Down)

Back when I was juggling the uncertainty of startup life, I found myself wanting to save money but having no real objective in mind. I’d say things like, “Oh, I just want a bigger financial cushion,” but it never felt concrete enough to inspire me to cut back on any luxuries.

That changed when I decided I wanted to buy my first professional-grade camera to shoot my own product photos. Suddenly, I had a specific number in mind, and a compelling reason to get there.

People who save money easily tend to be very clear on their goals. If you talk to them, they’ll say things like, “I’m saving $5,000 for a down payment on a car,” or “I’m setting aside $2,000 so I can take a certificate course next year.” They don’t just wish for some ambiguous sum of money; they define their goals and often write them down.

There’s something powerful about putting pen to paper (or finger to keyboard). It transforms a vague wish into a concrete target. And when you know exactly what you’re aiming for, it’s easier to stay motivated and say “no” to unnecessary spending.

4. They Embrace “Good Enough” and Avoid Lifestyle Inflation

I’ll be honest: I used to be the kind of person who always wanted the next best thing. If a new phone hit the market, I convinced myself that I needed it for my business.

If a colleague got a better office chair, I suddenly became uncomfortable in mine. But I realized that constantly upgrading your lifestyle is a never-ending cycle. You upgrade once and everything else around you starts to look outdated or insufficient.

Those who save money know that good enough truly is good enough. They might still treat themselves occasionally, but they weigh every purchase against its actual value and how it affects their financial goals.

If their current phone still works well, they don’t feel pressured to splurge on the latest model. Instead, they invest in experiences, skills, or tools that actually add value to their lives.

There’s also this term “lifestyle inflation,” which refers to the habit of increasing your spending every time your income increases.

Savvy savers often resist this urge. Instead of splurging on a bigger apartment when they get a raise, they put that extra income into savings or into paying off debt. Over time, this simple shift has a dramatic effect on how quickly they can build wealth.

5. They Practice Small-Scale Frugality Every Day

A few years ago, I met a fellow entrepreneur who lived by a strict principle: never pay full price if you can avoid it. He hunted for deals, clipped coupons, and checked discount apps for everything from groceries to office supplies.

At first, I thought it was too time-consuming. But after spending an afternoon with him, I realized he had it down to a science. He knew where to look for quick savings, and he never wasted time on deals that weren’t worth it.

People who save easily understand that small savings add up. They’ll stack coupons at the grocery store, compare prices online before making a purchase, or wait a week to see if something goes on sale.

They might even buy certain items secondhand. Rather than thinking they’re being “cheap,” they view it as being smart. It’s money they can put toward things they truly value—like a memorable vacation, a side hustle investment, or simply building an emergency fund.

The everyday frugality mindset also stretches to things like cooking at home instead of ordering takeout and finding fun, low-cost hobbies instead of indulging in expensive activities. It’s not about depriving yourself—it’s about finding creative ways to enjoy life without breaking the bank.

6. They Plan for Emergencies

This one might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people overlook it. During my early days as an entrepreneur, I was completely focused on “making it big.” I assumed that if I just kept working hard, I wouldn’t have to worry about any rainy days. Of course, business (and life) isn’t always so predictable.

I’ve experienced supply chain issues, client losses, unexpected medical bills—you name it. And there is nothing worse than watching a financial setback wipe out months (or years) of progress.

People who are good at saving almost always have an emergency fund set aside. It doesn’t have to be huge at the start. Even having a few hundred dollars saved can be a lifesaver when your car battery dies, or you need an urgent root canal. An emergency fund isn’t just a practical safety net—it’s also a massive stress reliever.

When you know you have something set aside for emergencies, you’re less likely to panic or make risky financial decisions. Over time, you can grow this fund to cover three to six months of living expenses, which provides an even greater layer of security.

Pulling It All Together

These habits—tracking expenses, automating savings, setting specific goals, embracing “good enough,” practicing everyday frugality, and preparing for emergencies—might seem simple, but they have a profound impact over the long term. When I look back on my entrepreneurial journey, these are exactly the strategies that helped me stabilize my finances, even when times were tough.

One thing I’ve come to appreciate is that saving money doesn’t have to mean turning into a penny-pinching miser. It’s about making conscious decisions that align with your goals and priorities. You can still treat yourself, indulge in your favorite latte, or buy those concert tickets—just do so in a way that fits into a bigger picture of financial health.

Personally, I’ve found that focusing on resilience and strategic thinking—skills I honed while navigating the ups and downs of running a startup—applies directly to managing money. You need resilience to bounce back from unexpected expenses or lean months. You need strategic thinking to decide how best to allocate your resources, whether it’s time or money. And you need persistence to keep going, month after month, putting away small sums until they grow into something significant.

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by finances, start small. Pick one habit—say, tracking your expenses for a week—and see how it feels. Then try automating a small amount into savings. Over time, these little shifts stack up and become second nature. Before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to financial stability, even if your budget is tight right now.

Remember, saving money is a journey, not a sprint. Your path might have twists, turns, and the occasional emergency detour, but every bit of progress builds on itself. My hope is that these six simple habits will help you find a sense of control and freedom in your financial life. And who knows? Maybe someday, you’ll be the one passing along these tips to someone who’s just getting started on their own money-saving adventure.