Saving money can be a drag, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little creativity and some out-of-the-box thinking, you can make saving money fun and easy. Here are five creative ways to make saving money a game, rather than a chore:

Try these Fun and Engaging Methods

1. Make it a competition

Challenge yourself or a friend to see who can save the most money in a certain amount of time. This will not only help you stay motivated to save, but it will also make it more enjoyable as you compete with someone else.

To get started, set a goal, such as saving N700,000 in six months, and then track your progress. You can create a simple chart or spreadsheet to track your savings and update it regularly.

To make the competition more interesting, you can set a prize for the winner. The prize could be something small like a dinner at a fancy restaurant or something bigger like a weekend getaway. The key is to make the prize something that you would enjoy and will make the competition more enjoyable.

2. Give your savings a purpose

Giving your savings a specific purpose is a powerful way to make saving money more meaningful and motivating. Instead of just saving money for the sake of saving money, by giving your savings a purpose you can see the progress you’re making towards something that you truly desire.

One way to give your savings a purpose is to set a specific financial goal. For example, if you’ve always wanted to take a trip to Europe, you can set a goal to save enough money for the trip. Every time you see the money in your savings account growing, it will be more motivating to keep saving. You can also break down that goal into smaller milestones, for example, saving for flight tickets, accommodation, etc. This can help to make the goal more manageable and you can celebrate each milestone as you reach them.

3. Use apps and tools to make saving automatic

By automating your savings, you can set it and forget it, which takes the pressure off of having to remember to transfer money into your savings account.

One popular app that can help you automate your savings is Qapital. Qapital allows you to set savings goals and then automatically transfers money from your checking account into your savings account on a regular basis. You can choose to transfer money daily, weekly or monthly. You can also set rules for your savings such as rounding up your purchases to the nearest Naira and transferring the difference into your savings account.

4. Get creative with your budget

Instead of just cutting back on expenses, you can find new and creative ways to save money that fit your lifestyle and preferences.

One way to get creative with your budget is to find free or low-cost alternatives to expensive activities. For example, instead of going to the movies, you can rent movies from your local library or stream them online for free. Instead of going out to eat, you can try new recipes at home or have a potluck with friends. You can also try to find free or low-cost activities in your area such as hiking, picnics, or visiting local museums.

Another way to get creative with your budget is to negotiate or haggle for lower prices. You can negotiate the price of a big-ticket item, or ask for a discount on services or recurring expenses, such as your cable or internet bill. You can also try to find discounts and coupons for the things you need to buy.

ALSO READ: 7 STEPS TO CREATE A SAVINGS PLAN AND COMMIT TO IT

5. Reward yourself for reaching savings milestones

By setting specific savings goals and rewarding yourself for reaching them, you can stay motivated and on track to achieving your financial goals.

One way to reward yourself for reaching savings milestones is to treat yourself to something small and inexpensive. For example, after reaching a savings milestone, you can buy yourself a small treat such as a new book, a movie ticket, or a fancy coffee. These small rewards can help to keep you motivated and remind you of your progress.

Another way to reward yourself for reaching savings milestones is to treat yourself to something bigger and more meaningful. For example, after reaching a significant savings milestone, you can treat yourself to a weekend getaway, a new piece of jewelry, or a new piece of technology. These bigger rewards can help to remind you of the progress you’ve made and how far you’ve come.

Who says Saving has to be Boring?

Saving money doesn’t have to be a drag. By using a little creativity and thinking outside the box, you can make saving money fun and easy. Whether it’s through competition, giving your savings a purpose, using apps and tools, getting creative with your budget, or rewarding yourself for reaching savings milestones, there are many ways to make saving money an enjoyable experience.

Start experimenting with these methods and see which ones work best for you. Happy saving!