Let’s get one thing out of the way:
I didn’t win the lottery, get a six-figure bonus, or eat plain rice for 365 days.
I had a $50,000 salary and somehow still managed to save $10,000 in one year—while paying rent, buying groceries, and yes, living like a human being.
This isn’t a flex. It’s a blueprint.
If you’ve ever felt like saving big on an average salary is impossible, I’m here to show you otherwise.
Here’s exactly how I did it—and how you can too.
Step 1: I Got Real About My Numbers (Not Just Vibes)
I didn’t guess. I tracked every dollar for 30 days.
Rent, Netflix, snacks, random Amazon orders—nothing was off-limits.
- Monthly Income (after tax): ~$3,200
- Rent: $1,200
- Utilities, WiFi: $200
- Food: $400
- Subscriptions + Fun: $300
- Remaining: ~$1,100
That number—$1,100—became my potential savings per month. But here’s the key: I didn’t just let that money sit around. I gave it a job.
Step 2: I Made Saving Automatic, Not Optional
Every month, $850 was auto-transferred to a high-yield savings account the day I got paid.
Not when I “felt like it.”
Not “if there’s anything left.”
It left my checking account before I even saw it.
Psych trick: If it’s not in your checking, you’re way less likely to spend it. Out of sight, out of splurge.
Step 3: I Cut Spending Without Cutting Joy
I didn’t do the typical “cancel your coffee” nonsense.
Instead, I asked, what do I actually care about?
Here’s what I changed:
- No DoorDash (saved ~$100/month)
- Meal prepped lunch 3x/week (saved ~$200/month)
- Switched car insurance & phone plans (saved $70/month)
- Paused subscriptions I wasn’t using (saved $50/month)
None of it felt like punishment—it felt smart.
Step 4: I Used “Extra” Money Like It Didn’t Exist
I picked up a few freelance gigs on weekends—nothing crazy. A blog here, a design project there.
Every single dollar from side hustles went into savings.
Birthday money? Tax refund? $12 Venmo from a friend? Straight to the goal.
By year-end, I had stacked $2,000+ from side income alone.
Step 5: I Gave My Savings a Name (and a Purpose)
I didn’t just say “I want to save more.”
I said: I want $10,000 by December 31st to build an emergency fund + travel to Italy.
Every time I wanted to spend impulsively, that purpose reminded me:
Do I want this thing right now? Or do I want that trip and peace of mind more?
Spoiler: The trip won.
Step 6: I Reviewed & Adjusted Monthly (No Shame)
Every month, I looked at my spending and asked:
- What went well?
- Where did I overspend?
- What can I tweak?
No guilt. No self-hate. Just course correction.
Some months I saved $700. Some months $1,200. It added up.
Final Tally:
Here’s how the $10K broke down:
| Source | Amount Saved |
|---|---|
| Monthly Auto-Savings | $8,200 |
| Side Income | $2,100 |
| Total | $10,300 |
The Real Truth:
Saving $10K on $50K isn’t magic—it’s clarity, consistency, and creativity.
I didn’t budget perfectly.
I still messed up.
But I had a plan. And more importantly, I stuck to it.
If you’re sitting there thinking this isn’t possible for you—please hear this:
You don’t have to be rich to build wealth.
You just have to start treating your money like it matters.
And if you want my exact monthly breakdown in a Google Sheet format? Just ask—I’ll share it.