Reading comprehension: How to save money

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1. Record your expenses. The first step to saving money is to figure out how much you spend. Keep track of all your expenses—that means every coffee, newspaper and snack you buy. Ideally, you can account for every penny. Once you have your data, organize the numbers by categories, such as gas, groceries and mortgage, and total each amount. Consider using your credit card or bank statements to help you with this. If you bank online, you may be able to filter your statements to easily break down your spending.
2. Make a budget.Once you have an idea of what you spend in a month, you can begin to organize your recorded expenses into a workable budget. Your budget should outline how your expenses measure up to your income—so you can plan your spending and limit overspending. In addition to your monthly expenses, be sure to factor in expenses that occur regularly but not every month, such as car maintenance. 
3. Plan on saving money. Now that you’ve made a budget, create a savings category within it. Try to put away 10–15 percent of your income as savings. If your expenses are so high that you can’t save that much, it might be time to cut back. To do so, identify non-essentials that you can spend less on, such as entertainment and dining out. We’ve put together ideas for saving money every day as well as cutting back on your fixed monthly expenses.
4. Choose something to save for. One of the best ways to save money is to set a goal. Start by thinking of what you might want to save for—anything from a down payment for a house to a vacation—then figure out how long it might take you to save for it. If you need help figuring out a time frame, try Bank of America’s savings goal calculator. Here are some examples of short- and long-term goals:
1. Short-term (1–3 years)
• Emergency fund (3–9 months of living expenses, just in case)
• Vacation
• Down payment for a car
2. Long-term (4+ years)
• Retirement*
• Your child’s education*
• Down payment on a home or a remodeling project
5. Decide on your priorities. After your expenses and income, your goals are likely to have the biggest impact on how you save money. Be sure to remember long-term goals—it’s important that planning for retirement doesn’t take a back seat to shorter-term needs. Prioritizing goals can give you a clear idea of where to start saving. For example, if you know you’re going to need to replace your car in the near future, you could start putting money away for one.
6. Choose the right tools.Ask your bank about the best financial products for your needs.
7. Make saving automatic. Almost all banks offer automated transfers between your checking and savings accounts. You can choose when, how much and where to transfer money to, or even split your direct deposit between your checking and savings accounts. Automated transfers are a great way to save money since you don’t have to think about it and it generally reduces the temptation to spend the money instead.
8. Watch your savings grow. Check your progress every month. Not only will this help you stick to your personal savings plan but it also helps you identify and fix problems quickly. These simple ways to save money may even inspire you to save more and hit your goals faster.

Adapted from https://bettermoneyhabits.bankofamerica.com/en/saving-budgeting/ways-to-save-money

SOME BASIC VOCABULARY:

• budget: an estimate of expected income and expenses
• to record: to set down in writing or the like
• savings: money saved by economy and put in a safe place:
• income: the monetary payment received for goods or services, or from other sources, as rents or investments.
• savings account: a bank account on which interest is paid, traditionally one for which a bankbook is used to record deposits, withdrawals, and interest payments.
• expenses: a cause or occasion of spending
• goal: the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end:
• long-term: covering or involving a relatively long period of time:
• short-term: covering or involving a short period of time:

QUESTIONS:

1. Do any of the tips above apply to you? How could you save money?
2. Which other ideas would you add?