Saving money can feel impossible—especially when it seems like there’s always something demanding your cash. But what if I told you that saving doesn’t have to mean giving up everything you love?

In this blog, I’ll share the exact strategies I teach my clients as a finance coach—simple, practical ways to save money without feeling deprived. You’ll discover how to overcome common saving struggles, track your spending with ease, automate your savings, and even make saving fun. I’ll also share real stories from clients who transformed their finances with these methods—proof that you can do it too.

Ready to start saving with confidence? Let’s dive in.

Why Saving Feels So Hard: Sarah’s Story

When Sarah first came to me, she was convinced that saving was impossible. “Every time I try to save, something always comes up,” she told me. A birthday gift, a surprise bill, or a last-minute night out with friends—her money seemed to vanish before she could put any aside.

But after we talked, she realised that the problem wasn’t just her spending—it was her mindset. Sarah thought of saving as depriving herself, so she avoided it. Together, we changed that. I helped her create a simple spending plan that made room for fun without sacrificing her savings.

By the end of our first month working together, Sarah had saved £150—more than she ever thought she could.

If you’ve ever felt like Sarah, you’re not alone. The key is to make saving feel like a choice, not a punishment.

Step 1: Find Your “Why” for Saving

Before you even think about the “how” of saving, you need to know your “why.” It’s not just about building a rainy-day fund—it’s about creating a life you love.

One of my clients, James, was struggling to save until he realised his true goal wasn’t just to save money—it was to take his family on a holiday they’d never forget. Suddenly, skipping that takeaway coffee didn’t feel like a sacrifice; it felt like a step closer to watching his kids splash in the sea.

Ask Yourself:

• What’s something you really want? (A stress-free retirement? A dream holiday? Peace of mind from an emergency fund?)
  
• How will saving money help you get there?
  
• How will you feel once you’ve reached that goal?
  

Write your answers down. Whenever you’re tempted to spend impulsively, come back to your “why.”

You could also go one step further and print out pictures of your ‘why’ and display them around the house! This is what we did when we were saving for a once in a life time trip to Disney World Florida.

It was great motivation for us as a family but a great conversation starter when friends came around.

Step 2: Track Your Spending Like a Detective

You can’t save what you can’t see. That’s why I always encourage my clients to track their spending like detectives.

Take Anna, for example. When she started tracking her spending, she was shocked to discover that she was spending over £200 a month on takeaway lunches. “I didn’t even realise,” she admitted. But awareness is powerful.

Together, we found simple swaps—like meal prepping on Sundays and bringing lunch to work. Within three months, Anna had saved over £600.

How to Track Your Spending:

• Use a budgeting app like Monzo, YNAB, or a simple spreadsheet like my Intentional Spending Plan.
  
• Categorise your spending: essentials (rent, groceries), non-essentials (eating out, hobbies), and financial goals (savings, debt payments).
  
• At the end of the week, review your list. Where can you cut back without feeling miserable?

Step 3: Automate Your Savings (Pay Yourself First)

One of the easiest ways to save is to automate it. This was a game-changer us and that’s why I always recommend automating your savings.

When we were living pay check to pay check, the idea of saving felt impossible.

So we set up a system: every time we got paid, we automatically transferred £100 into a separate savings account.

By making saving automatic, we’d built up a £1,200 in a year—something we’d never managed before.

Step 4: Create a Spending Plan (Not Just a Budget)

Most people hate the word “budget” because it sounds like punishment. That’s why I prefer the term “Intentional Spending Plan.” It’s not about restricting yourself—it’s about being intentional with your money.

One of my clients, Lisa, loved online shopping. Whenever she felt stressed, she would buy something new—clothes, gadgets, home decor. But her bank account was suffering.

When I helped Lisa create a spending plan, we didn’t just cut out her shopping habit completely. Instead, we created a “fun money” catergory—a set amount she could spend each month without guilt. The rest went to savings.

Download your copy of The Intentional Spending Plan.

Read more: How to create a budget in 6 easy steps

Step 5: Make Saving Fun with Challenges

Saving doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, turning it into a challenge can make it exciting.

Many of my clients are part of the “2025 No-Spend Challenge” community. The idea is that you only spent on essentials—no eating out, no online shopping, no takeaways.

You may be surprise by how much you can save in just a few weeks!

Read more: How to succeed at a No Spend Challenge

Step 6: Adopt a Positive Savings Mindset

Saving shouldn’t feel like punishment—it’s about giving yourself freedom and security. When my client Tom finally built a £1,000 emergency fund, he told me, “For the first time, I feel like I can breathe.”

Saving isn’t just about the money—it’s about peace of mind.

Want to Save with Confidence?

If you’ve been struggling to save, you don’t have to do it alone. My financial coaching can help you find practical, personalised ways to save—no matter your income or lifestyle.

Schedule a free call with me and let’s get you saving with confidence.