It’s a new year and while I’ll usually write out a long list of resolutions, this year I have one goal – to save money. While last year I landed a new job with a nice pay raise, I failed to see my savings account grow. Sure, I treated myself to a nice vacation and adopting Mocha has resulted in a new expense, but I know that’s no excuse. Plus, I’m really wishing I had a bit more of a cushion after the holidays, as I’m sure many of you can relate.

2019 is the year that I plan to make that happen. I’m done with having unexpected expenses come up and no way of dealing with them. And the great thing is that I know that it’s totally doable. All I need to do is adopt a few habits to end this year feeling successful. So, if you’re curious, here’s how I’m planning to help my savings grow in the upcoming year.

Taking Advantage of Credit Card Rewards (That I’ll Actually Use)

While my old credit card gave me cash back, it ended up driving me into a cycle of spending. My intention was to use the money I earned back to pay off interest and my debt. However, I ended up using it to justify additional purchases here and there. That is why I decided to get a credit card that gets me the types of rewards and savings I truly need.

Since I do a lot of traveling back home to LA, and it adds up, I figured that earning miles was the way to go. I got an Alaska Card, which is my preferred airline, and I’m currently using it like a debit card in order to avoid racking up more debt. While I haven’t earned enough miles for a round trip yet, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before I get a free trip back home.

Consolidating Debt

One of my biggest challenges when it comes to saving is trying to pay off my debt. On top of student loans, I have credit card debt that has accumulated from dealing with unexpected expenses while living off a meager graduate student salary. Having interest accrue and dealing with various accounts has also made it hard to put a dent in what I owe.

This year, my plan for tackling my debt and saving money is consolidating it all into one account. I actually did this towards the end of last year after receiving a balance transfer offer with no interest for 12 months. I’ve already noticed the savings and an improvement in my ability to manage my debt.

Planning Out My Meals

Planning out your meals can save you money for many reasons. First of all, you’ll avoid spending money on food you won’t eat. And having a plan of action when it comes to mealtime will make it easier for you to avoid expensive takeout.

But, if planning out your meals for the week seems overwhelming, you can start small. For example, do you buy coffee every morning? Save yourself some money and time by making cold brew concentrate for the week. I follow these recommendations for a French press if you’re interested. Or, if you find yourself spending a few bucks here and there on snacks, try buying a few that you really enjoy in bulk so you always have them handy.

Entertain Friends at Home Instead of Going Out

Bonding and having a fun time with friends doesn’t have to involve spending tons of money on an outing. Therefore, one way I’m planning to save more money in the new year is finding more opportunities to play hostess. This is a win-win for me, because it also means I get to show off my space. After all, I’ve been working so hard to decorate over the past year.

And, trust me, hanging out at home doesn’t have to take too much planning. Try hosting a game night and ask friends to each bring a favorite snack or pitch in for pizza. That way the cost of hosting doesn’t completely fall on you. Plus you’ll each spend less money than you would at a bar or restaurant.

Put Money Away in Savings Before Even Seeing It

Trust me when I say I try to have a savings goal for every single month. But, somehow, I fail to meet that goal time and time again. This year I’m being proactive by transferring money into my saving as soon as I get paid. At the end of the day, I can’t worry about spending money when it’s out of sight.

Practice No Spending Every Other Month

Something I struggle with is not planning out purchases such as clothes or trips. And many times I convince myself I “need” something, and end up pulling money I was planning to save to make the purchase. This is the year I plan to change that and learn to be more mindful about my purchasing.

But how? By practicing no spending every other month. I’m hoping that having these no spending months will motivate me to really think before I buy and break bad habits. Plus, if I do decide I need a specific item, it’ll be worth the wait. The anticipation will allow me to have a better appreciation for it. And waiting an extra week or two may result in savings from a price drop or surprise promo code.

That’s it for my money-saving tips and goals. I’ll check in to let you know how I’m doing in a couple of months. But, in the meantime, I’d love to know if you have any advice to add on this matter!