5 Ways to Save Money That Banks Don't Want You to Know About
Have you ever found yourself with no money in your account at the end of the month, wondering where all your salary went? You're not alone. According to data from SPC Brasil, 481,000 Brazilians are unable to save money at the end of the month. But it doesn't have to be that way. In this complete guide, I'll show you how to save money quickly with practical methods that you can apply today.
Forget those generic tips that everyone already knows. Here, you will find tried and tested strategies to see results in your bank account in record time, even if you earn little. Get ready to transform your financial life in the coming weeks!
UNDERSTANDING YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MONEY: THE FIRST STEP TO SAVING MONEY QUICKLY
Before we dive into practical strategies, we need to understand something fundamental: saving money quickly starts in your mind.
Most people have a spending mindset rather than a saving mindset. We are bombarded with incentives to spend, from e-commerce notifications to influencers showing us the “ideal lifestyle.” The result? We spend on impulse, often without realizing it.
The power of small daily habits is transformative. Research from Duke University has shown that up to 45% of our daily actions are habits, not decisions. When you create the habit of reviewing your spending daily, for example, you save almost automatically.
Can you identify your impulsive buying cycle? It usually goes like this:
- Trigger – a promotion notification
- Desire – desire to buy
- Action – the purchase itself
- Reward – momentary satisfaction
To break this cycle, we need to replace the action of buying with a new action: registering the desire and postponing the purchase for 24 hours. This simple change can reduce your impulse buying by up to 70%!
ULTRA-FAST SAVING METHODS: RESULTS IN 7 DAYS
If you need to see immediate results, these are the strategies that work in record time:
“Zero Economy” Challenge: 7 days without non-essential expenses
The concept is simple: for an entire week, you only spend on what is absolutely necessary (basic food, essential transportation, fixed bills). No delivery, streaming, clothes or small “innocent” purchases.
This radical method can save you up to 30% of your weekly income and, more importantly, shows you exactly where your money is leaking.
Brutal expense review technique
Set aside 2 hours to review your bank statements for the past 3 months. Highlight EVERYTHING that wasn’t essential or didn’t bring real value. Be ruthless. Now, cancel unnecessary auto-subscriptions, duplicate services, and fees you didn’t even remember paying.
Many people find themselves paying for services they no longer use, such as streaming services, apps, or gym memberships. This exercise can easily free up 10-15% of your monthly income in a matter of hours!
24/48 method to avoid impulse purchases
For any non-essential purchase over R$$100, wait 24 hours before making payment. For purchases over R$$500, wait 48 hours. Write down the item you want and the amount. After the waiting period, ask yourself: “Do I really need this? Is it worth the cost in labor hours?”
This simple technique reduces impulse purchases by up to 80% and helps you save money quickly without much effort.
Neuro-strategies to reprogram the brain
Our brains are wired for immediate rewards, which makes it difficult to save. A powerful technique is concrete visualization: whenever you feel like making an unnecessary expense, visualize the amount multiplied by 10 years of investment.
For example: spending R$$300 on clothes today could turn into R$$800 in 10 years, considering a conservative investment. Is it worth it?
HOW TO SAVE MONEY WHILE EARNING LITTLE: PRACTICAL STRATEGIES
You might be thinking: “This is all great, but I don’t earn much. How can I save money?” The truth is that, regardless of your income, there are effective strategies:
Smart Budgeting: The Adapted 50-30-20 Rule
The traditional rule suggests allocating 50% of income to basic needs, 30% to wants and 20% to savings. If you earn little, adapt to 70-20-10: 70% to essentials, 20% to occasional wants and 10% to savings.
Doesn't that seem like much? 10% of R$1,500 is R$150 per month, which is R$1,800 in a year. That's a significant start!
Renegotiation of expensive debts
High-interest debts are the biggest enemy of anyone who wants to save money. Start by calling your bank and asking for a reduction in interest rates on your credit card. Surprisingly, 7 out of 10 people get a discount just by asking!
For larger debts, try to consolidate them into a loan with a lower interest rate. The difference can mean hundreds of dollars saved per month.
How to replace high-impact expenses
Identify the 3 biggest villains in your budget and look for alternatives:
- Eating out: switch to planned lunch boxes (savings of up to 70%)
- Individual transportation: Consider ride-sharing or public transportation some days (savings of up to 60%)
- Expensive leisure activities: replace with free or more affordable options (savings of up to 80%)
Generating extra income quickly
Sometimes the best way to save money is to increase your down payment. Consider:
- Sell unused items on second-hand apps
- Offer small services based on your skills (design, translation, proofreading)
- Participate in paid online surveys
- Monetize a hobby on weekends
Even an extra R$300-500 per month can revolutionize your ability to save.
DIGITAL ECONOMY: APPS AND TOOLS TO SAVE MONEY IN RECORD TIME
Technology can be your ally on your journey to save money quickly:
These apps can increase your savings by up to 25% simply by making spending patterns visible that you weren't even aware of.
Cashback and reward programs
Don't leave money on the table! Take advantage:
- Cashback programs from digital banks (such as Nubank, Inter and PicPay)
- Browser extensions like Méliuz and Zoom that automatically apply coupons
- Supermarket and pharmacy loyalty programs
A smart strategy is to direct all cashback received to a specific savings account, creating an automatic savings system.
Discount and coupon platforms
Websites like Pelando, Promobit and Cuponeria aggregate the best deals on the market. The golden rule is: only use them to buy what you were already planning to buy, never to justify extra purchases!
SAVING IN SPECIFIC CATEGORIES: SMART CUTS
Some areas of the budget offer quick savings opportunities:
Food: Save up to 40% without sacrificing nutrition
- Make a shopping list based on a planned weekly menu
- Buy seasonal foods (costs up to 60% less)
- Use apps like Nextdoor to check out deals at local grocery stores
- Adopt a weekly meat-free day (can reduce your protein expenditure by 15%)
- Prepare extra portions and freeze (reduces waste and temptation for takeout)
Transportation: strategies for immediate reduction
- Review your car insurance (changing some coverages can save you up to 30%)
- Consider ride-sharing apps for regular commutes
- Use apps like Waze and Google Maps for fuel-efficient routes
- Check if your credit card offers discounts at specific gas stations
Housing: quick negotiations that reduce costs
- Renegotiate rent by offering longer contracts
- Review your internet/TV package (do you really watch all those channels?)
- Replace regular light bulbs with LEDs (save up to 80% on lighting)
- Install flow reducers on taps (reduction of up to 40% on your water bill)
Entertainment: free or low-cost alternatives
- Public libraries (many offer digital access to books and magazines)
- Free events in the city (exhibitions, shows, fairs)
- Sharing streaming accounts with family members (within the terms of use)
- Game nights at home instead of expensive nights out
PSYCHOLOGY OF ECONOMICS: CHANGING YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MONEY
To save sustainably, we need to understand the emotional triggers that lead us to spend:
Emotional triggers of overspending
- Stress: Many people use shopping as “therapy”
- Social comparison: wanting to maintain the standards of friends or influencers
- Fear of missing out: the famous FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) of promotions
- Instant gratification: we prefer immediate rewards over future benefits
Financial self-control techniques
- 10/10/10 Rule: Before you buy, ask yourself how you will feel about this purchase in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years
- Emotional Spending Diary: Write down not only what you bought, but how you felt at the time.
- Accountability partner: Find someone to share savings goals with
- Physical envelopes: Separate money into envelopes for different spending categories
Case Study: How Maria Saved 30% in One Month
Maria, a teacher earning R$$2,800 per month, implemented the brutal revision method + 24/48 rule + smart substitutions. In the first month, she managed to save R$$840 that was previously “swallowed up” by small, unnoticed expenses. The biggest impact came from reducing delivery (saving R$$320) and canceling duplicate services (R$$210).
The Power of Goal Visualization
Don’t save “for the sake of saving.” Set a clear goal and visualize it daily. Research shows that people with specific financial goals are 42% more likely to achieve their savings goals.
Create a fund for something meaningful: a trip, a down payment on a home, or financial freedom. Put a representative photo on your phone screen as a constant reminder.
30-DAY ACTION PLAN FOR FINANCIAL TRANSFORMATION
We will structure a progressive plan for you to see increasing results:
Week 1: Diagnosis and immediate cuts
- Day 1-2: Complete Expense and Income Mapping
- Day 3-4: Implementing the brutal review technique
- Day 5-7: “Zero Savings” Challenge for Non-Essential Expenses
Week 2: Renegotiations and optimization
- Day 8-9: Debt Renegotiation and Service Calls
- Day 10-11: Replacing expensive services with cost-effective alternatives
- Day 12-14: Implementation of automated control system (application)
Week 3: Implementing new routines
- Day 15-18: Weekly meal planning and shopping
- Day 19-21: Creation of envelope system (physical or digital) for categories
- Day 22: Mid-term review and necessary adjustments
Week 4: Assessment and adjustments
- Day 23-27: Maintaining the new system and recording savings
- Day 28-29: Comparison with previous period to check progress
- Day 30: Celebrating results and planning for the next month
SUCCESS STORIES: QUICK AND SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS
Real stories inspire and show that it is possible:
How John paid off a debt of R$$10,000 in 3 months
João, a ride-hailing driver, accumulated R$$10,000 in credit card debt. By implementing the “spending reversal technique” (using exactly the same amount of money he spent on non-essential items to pay off his debt), he managed to pay it all off in just 3 months. His main strategy was to trade in his car for a more economical model and sell electronic items he no longer used.
The technique that helped Ana save 40% from her salary
Ana, a self-employed professional with a variable income of around R$$4,000, implemented the “pay yourself first” system: as soon as she received her salary, she automatically transferred 40% to an account without a debit card. The first month was difficult, but she adjusted her spending and discovered that she could live comfortably on the remaining 60%. In one year, she accumulated R$$19,200.
The method that transformed a family's finances
The Oliveira family, with 4 people and a family income of R$$5,500, implemented the “one week on, one week off” method: on alternate weeks, they spent absolutely nothing beyond the essentials. On “free” weeks, they could spend on leisure, but within a pre-defined limit. The result? Savings of R$$950 per month that were previously wasted on small daily expenses.
TRAPS TO AVOID ON THE PATH TO FAST SAVINGS
Beware of these pitfalls that can sabotage your efforts:
False economies that cost dearly
- Buying very cheap products that break quickly
- Postpone preventive maintenance (car, health, home)
- Accumulate points/miles on a card with a high annual fee
- Making purchases in large quantities that end up spoiling
Unsustainable cuts that lead to relapses
Extreme deprivation often results in a “rebound effect.” Instead of completely eliminating something you enjoy, look for more affordable options or reduce the frequency.
The mistake of not separating emergencies from planning
Many people save money but end up using it for small “emergencies” that are actually predictable expenses. Create separate funds for true emergencies and for occasional predictable expenses (like car maintenance).
Financial myths that hinder your journey
- “Saving small amounts doesn’t make a difference” – R$10 a day becomes R$3,650 a year
- “I need to have a lot of money to invest” – today it is possible to start with R$1
- “I can’t save money on my current salary” – it’s the percentage that matters, not the absolute amount
CONCLUSION: YOUR NEXT STEPS TO SAVE MONEY FAST
Saving money quickly isn't about big sacrifices, it's about smart decisions and small habit changes that yield big results over time.
Start today by applying one of the strategies you learned here. I recommend starting with a thorough review of your expenses – the immediate impact will motivate you to continue.
Remember that saving is like a muscle: the more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes. What seems difficult today will become second nature over time.
- Cancel a non-essential subscription today
- Uninstall shopping apps from your phone
- Plan your meals for the next week
- Set a clear and specific financial goal
- Choose a financial control app and set it up
Your journey to a more peaceful financial life starts now. And remember: every dollar saved is a step towards your financial freedom!
Are you ready to start saving money fast?
