How to Establish or Increase a Cash Reserve

One of the ways to establish or increase a cash reserve is to reduce discretionary spending. What exactly is discretionary spending? It’s money you outlay for the things you want, rather than need, right now.

We’re all caught up in the constant bombardment of advertising messages that urge us to buy the newest, latest item or gadget. And there is that subtle drive to have what others have.

Cutting back on this type of spending can help you establish a cash reserve goal sooner and will form a habit that serves you well in future years.

Weigh the Alternative

Start with a list of your essential expenses and determine what your discretionary spending amount is – what’s left over after you pay for the needed items. Next list the non-essential items you spend money on and figure out which ones you can do without – even for a while – or delay paying for.

Postpone big purchases

You can temporarily delay major expenses (such as the purchase of a new car, furniture, computer, or a home theater system) until you reach your cash reserve goal. While these items may improve your quality of life, you should make them a lower priority than building financial security. Remember, you are just postponing, not omitting, them.

Pare spending across the board

It is important to know where you actually spend your money. To understand this better, you may wish to track your expenses for a week or two. Many people are surprised by the way even small purchases (coffee, snacks, newspapers, lunches, etc.) add up over time. Once you understand your spending patterns, making small reductions across several types of expenses is an excellent and bearable approach to curbing spending. Here are some examples:

• Reduce the amount you spend for lunches eaten away from home, either by bringing them from home or eating more frugally. If you eat lunch out only three times a week instead of five, you can save $728 over the course of a year (assuming the average lunch out costs about $7).
• Expand the interval between your barber or hairdresser appointments.
• Find less expensive forms of entertainment. Local theater groups, for example, can be very entertaining and will appreciate your support. Also, a movie rental and homemade popcorn are an inexpensive evening's entertainment.
• Maintain better control over household telephone use, especially for such conveniences as automatic redial and directory information. Remember, using your telephone book is free.
• Cancel infrequently used cable TV services.
• Drop a few of the family's extracurricular activities. A little more free time may even prove very welcome.

Dining and entertainment can add up fast

Eating out and entertainment spending add up to a bigger share of household income than you realize. Many people are shocked at the result when they suddenly tally what they spend in this area. Change the frequency and places where you eat out to save for important needs. Substitute less expensive sporting and entertainment events, or go less often.

Tip: Don't forget to consider all forms of entertainment, including sports events, plus related costs such as food, tips, parking, cab fares, and baby-sitting.

Omit some nonessential expenses

You can eliminate certain expenses entirely and, perhaps, barely miss them. Magazines you seldom read, club and organization memberships infrequently used, visits to the astrologer–eliminating these expenses can provide savings, whether you want to build a cash reserve or a portfolio.

Weigh the priorities of individual expense items against building a cash reserve

There are a number of ways to cut spending. However, the mere thought of doing them all is undoubtedly depressing. Unless you have a dire need to save aggressively, you can adopt only the more palatable measures. Compare the items you've listed with the financial protection a cash reserve affords you. It's your money–you should be the one who decides how to use it.

Decide which temporary spending cuts you can live with

Remember that reducing discretionary spending to build a cash reserve is a temporary step. Once you reach the goal, you can resume previous spending patterns if desired. Bearing this in mind makes spending-cut decisions somewhat easier.

Amend your cash reserve plan to reflect money you will save through spending reductions

Tally the money you save through discretionary spending reductions and add it to your cash reserve plan.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Material contained in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be used in connection with the evaluation of any investments offered by David Lerner Associates, Inc. This material does not constitute an offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities and should not be considered in connection with the purchase or sale of securities.

To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances.

These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable– we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

Some of this material has been provided by Broadridge Investor Communications Solutions, Inc.

David Lerner Associates does not provide tax or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual's personal circumstances.
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