Save cash quickly with the ‘3-minute money fix’

SPOKANE — The idea of sitting down to tackle your budget can feel about as appealing as doing your taxes. But what if you could actually save money in just three minutes?

Financial experts with Numerica Credit Union say there’s a simple trick called the “3-minute money fix” that breaks everything down, no spreadsheets required.

“Those three little fixes can help build up over time,” said Kayla Gonzales, a branch manager with Numerica Credit Union.

Minute one: Track down those sneaky subscriptions

Grab your phone and check the subscriptions on your account (just hit “subscriptions” if you’re on iPhone). You’ll probably be surprised by what you’re paying for that you don’t use regularly.

“You’ve got free trials. You’ve got different apps. Take a look at those and think to yourself, did I even use these last month? And if the answer is no, go ahead and cancel it. That could be anywhere from 10 to $40 back in your pocket every month,” Gonzales advised.

Minute two: Set up autosave

Most banks and credit unions have something called a “round-up” feature. For example, when you buy a $4.50 coffee, it rounds up to $5 and stashes that extra 50 cents in your savings.

“It’s just a few cents that ends up adding up over the course of time, so you don’t feel it. However, in the long run, you have a larger savings than you would have,” Gonzales explained.

Minute three: Give your recent purchases a quick once-over

Pull up your bank app or credit card statement and scroll through your recent purchases. You’re not looking to judge yourself, just keeping an eye out for price increases and patterns.

“Are you spending because you’re bored? Or is it just convenience,” Gonzales suggested.

Maybe your grocery bill has been creeping up, or you notice you’ve been stress-shopping more than usual. This can help you adjust for future months.

Bonus round: Got 30 seconds left?

If you’re feeling motivated after your three-minute savings plan, here’s one more move: transfer five bucks to your savings account right now.

“It’s truly not about the amount that you’re moving into there. It’s just about the habit of being able to move money into there,” Gonzales said.

Why this actually works

The beauty of this approach is that it doesn’t require you to become a budgeting expert overnight. You’re not overhauling your entire financial plan, you’re just making tiny tweaks that add up over time.