How This Underrated Savings Hack Saved Me Money
Let me start by saying this: changing how you think about money can change your life. I’ve tried all the tips—coupon clipping, side hustles, no-spend challenges. But the one underrated savings hack that’s made the biggest difference for me? Patience.
It’s not flashy. It’s not trendy. But developing a savings mindset and using sinking funds has saved me thousands of dollars—and a whole lot of regret. Here are three real-life examples where this simple strategy changed the game.
1. The Purse That Taught Me to Pause
Years ago, I was on a girls’ trip to New York, and I had one goal: buy the designer purse I’d been eyeing for months. I had saved every extra dollar into a sinking fund. When the moment came—I was ready. But when I saw the bag in person, something didn’t click. The color wasn’t quite right. The straps felt flimsy.
And here’s the powerful part: because I had saved over time, I didn’t feel pressure to buy it just because the money was there. That sinking fund gave me freedom. I walked away without regret, and I used the money for something that actually brought me joy.
2. The Pool That Took Five Years—and Was Worth Every Minute
Building a pool isn’t cheap, and the process can be stressful. But we took the slow route—saving bit by bit over five years. No financing. No dipping into retirement. Just one sinking fund and a whole lot of patience.
When we finally broke ground, we didn’t have to make compromises. No cutting corners. No second-guessing whether we could afford the extras. We got exactly what we wanted—without a monthly payment hanging over our heads. That peace of mind? Worth every month we waited.
3. The SUV I Didn’t Buy (And the Minivan I Love)
Let’s be honest—car shopping can bring out all the status-driven emotions. I had my eye on a luxury SUV. But as a parent of three little ones, I knew the wear and tear would be real. Juice boxes, sticky hands, dings from car seats…
Instead of rushing into a big car loan, we saved and took our time. That patience led us to a minivan that checked all the boxes—and left us with thousands still in the bank. I’ll take sliding doors and zero car payments over bragging rights any day.
Why Sinking Funds Work
Here’s the simple beauty of sinking funds: you choose a goal, break it into monthly savings targets, and watch it grow. Whether it’s a vacation, new appliances, or holiday shopping, sinking funds take the emotion out of spending and replace it with intention.
You’re not just “spending money”—you’re redeeming money you saved for a reason.
Want to Save Faster?
I’ve got a whole episode dedicated to how I saved $4,000 in record time without selling everything I owned. Check out the next podcast or episode for practical tips you can start using right away.
Final Thoughts
The best money advice I’ve ever received wasn’t about maximizing credit card points or picking the right ETF. It was this: Patience builds peace. Whether it’s a purse, a pool, or a practical car, the slow route has never let me down.
Stop chasing fast fixes. Start building sinking funds—and a life that’s aligned with your values, not your impulses.
All writings are for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not provide investment or financial advice of any kind.
