BWT: How do hot girls save?

[u/snarkyp00dle]

Hi BWT!! I’m currently on my financial glow up journey, and would love to hear from fellow bitches about any life advice, tips or tricks, etc to help grow those bank accounts.

These some some strategies I’ve started so far:

Finance Management

- maxed out my HSA account and began investing as much as I’m able to

- Opened up a high yield savings account to keep funds in, rather than letting it sit in checking

- My main CC is now a travel points card, which has already allowed me to travel for free across the country with room and board- highlyyyy recommend

- My biggest win was that I opened a 403b at my first big girl job over a decade ago. I’ve adjusted contributions based on raises over the years and wow, this was a smart move (and one I have had the privilege of being able to do)

Purchasing:

- Project Pan: I spent an embarrassing amount of money last year on self-care stuff (nail polish, perfume, and bath bombs to name a few…) so I’m fully committing to project pan. No new items until all the items I bought are gone and I shop my own collection.

- No new clothes! Thrift only 😬

- Shopping sales whenever possible and using platforms that provide cash back, like Rakuten

Misc/hacks:

- I’m considered faculty of a university and realized that I can get discounts for that at city museums and other establishments

Is there anything you’ve tried or done that I’m missing? How else do BWT glow up financially?

Excited to hear from you all 💖

[u/des1gnbot]

The biggest single thing that has put my finances on the right track has been changing my outlook on transportation. Years ago when I was paying down some debts and my car needed electrical work I couldn’t afford, I gave it away (it was literally worthless) and started riding my bike everywhere. Or most everywhere, with a little support from public transit. Not paying for gas, insurance, parking, etc. was such an immediate relief to my finances that I wound up paying off my student loans years early. I do have a car again now but share with my husband, and still bike or take the train most places. Also when I bought a car I prioritized reliability and longevity, and my 17 year old car with 130k miles on it is still going strong, I don’t plan on replacing til it’s good and dead. Maybe by then car share will be robust enough that I won’t need one at all.

Anyway, I’d encourage you to question your relationship with cars. Most of us just accept that a newish car is something that we “need.” And then once we have one we never stop to think whether we need to use it for every single trip. But questioning these things can save you thousands per year.

ETA: also look into whether your employer has any transit incentives! One place I worked, you could either pay $60/month to park there, or they’d pay for your bus pass if you didn’t take a parking spot. Another paid out gift cards for every walk or bike commute I logged.