Ever feel like saving money is just one more thing you have to remember to do? You start strong, transferring a bit to your savings account every month, but then life happens—bills pile up, unexpected expenses pop up, and before you know it, your savings plan has vanished.
The good news? There’s an easier way. Learning how to automate savings means you can set it and forget it, allowing your bank account to grow without effort. Whether you’re saving for a rainy day, an emergency fund, or long-term wealth, automation ensures that money gets put aside before you even notice it’s gone.
Let’s break it down step by step—because when it comes to saving money, the less thinking, the better!
Why Automating Savings Works Like Magic
If you’ve ever tried manual saving, you know how easy it is to skip a month or spend what you meant to set aside. But when savings are automated, there’s no temptation to spend, no forgetting, and no effort required.
Here’s why automated savings work so well:
✅ It removes willpower from the equation – No more deciding how much to save each month. It happens automatically.
✅ It makes saving a priority – Instead of saving “what’s left over,” money is saved before you can spend it.
✅ It builds wealth over time – Small, consistent savings add up to big results.
✅ It reduces stress – No more guilt about not saving enough. The system does it for you.
Step 1: Pay Yourself First
The key to learn how to automate savings is the “pay yourself first” rule. This means treating your savings like a non-negotiable bill—just like rent or electricity.
How to do it:
- Set up an automatic transfer from your checking account to your savings account each time you get paid.
- Even if you start with just €25 or €50 per paycheck, the habit is what matters.
- Schedule the transfer on payday so you never even “see” the money—it just moves straight into savings.
💡 Pro Tip: If you have multiple savings goals, consider creating separate savings accounts (e.g., one for emergencies, one for vacations). Many banks now let you label accounts to keep things organized.
Step 2: Use Bank Features to Automate Savings
Most banks offer built-in tools to make saving effortless. Instead of manually moving money, let your bank do it for you!
Automated savings options to look for:
🔹 Round-up savings: Every time you make a purchase, your bank rounds it up to the nearest euro and deposits the difference into your savings.
🔹 Recurring transfers: Set up weekly or monthly transfers from your checking to your savings account.
🔹 Goal-based savings: Some banking apps let you set savings goals and track progress automatically.
Check your bank’s app or website—chances are, there’s already a way to automate your savings without lifting a finger.
Step 3: Make Your Savings Work for You
Once you’ve automated your savings, the next step is making sure your money isn’t just sitting there doing nothing.
Where to put your savings:
📌 High-yield savings account – These accounts offer higher interest rates, meaning your money grows faster than in a regular account.
📌 Investment accounts – If you’re saving for long-term goals (like retirement), set up automated investments through an ETF or index fund.
📌 Retirement accounts – Consider setting up an automatic deposit into a retirement fund like an IRA or 401(k).
By letting your savings earn interest or returns, you’re building wealth passively.
Step 4: Automate Extra Savings with Apps
Want to take it up a notch? Use apps that automatically save money without you noticing.
Best apps to automate savings:
📱 Revolut / N26 / Monzo: Let you create automatic savings pots with round-ups and scheduled transfers.
📱 Qapital: Moves money to savings based on custom rules (e.g., save €5 every time you buy coffee).
📱 Digit: Analyzes your spending habits and automatically transfers small, safe-to-save amounts to your savings.
These tools are perfect for people who struggle to set money aside on their own.
Step 5: Increase Your Savings Over Time
If you start saving €50 a month today, you’ll have €600 by next year. But what if you slowly increased that amount?
How to boost savings effortlessly:
🔹 Set up an annual increase – Every year, raise your automatic savings by €10-20 per month.
🔹 Save “extra” money – If you get a bonus, tax refund, or raise, automate a portion of it into savings.
🔹 Use a “no-spend challenge” – Any money you save from skipping small purchases (like takeout or impulse shopping) goes straight into savings.
The idea is to build up your savings without feeling it. Small increases over time can lead to major financial growth.
Step 6: Set It and Forget It
Once everything is set up, you don’t have to think about saving anymore. Money will automatically move to your savings with zero effort.
What to do next:
✔️ Check your savings once a month – Just to make sure everything is running smoothly.
✔️ Avoid dipping into savings – Treat it like a locked vault for emergencies or specific goals.
✔️ Enjoy guilt-free spending – Knowing your savings are handled gives you peace of mind when spending on fun stuff!
By automating your savings, you’ll build financial security on autopilot—no stress, no effort, just steady progress toward your goals.
Saving money doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. With automation, you’re making sure your future self is taken care of, without lifting a finger.
Start by setting up one small automatic transfer today—even if it’s just €10 per week. The key is to start now and let time do the rest.
Are you already using an automated savings plan? What’s your favorite trick for saving without thinking about it? Drop a comment below and share your tips!
And if you’re looking for more smart money hacks, check out our Finance category for more simple ways to grow your wealth!
