How to Save $10k in a Year: The No-BS Guide for Broke Millennials and Gen Zs

Introduction 

Let’s get one thing straight, saving money is hard. Like, really hard.

You wake up every morning with the best intentions. This is the month I finally start saving. But then, boom, your friend drops a last-minute brunch invite, your favorite influencer launches a new “must-have” skincare product, and somehow, your bank account is in shambles before payday even arrives.

And yet, here we are, telling you that you can save $10,000 in a year, even if you’re broke.

Sounds fake, right?

But it’s not. Because the truth is, saving money isn’t about cutting out everything fun. It’s about playing the game smarter. And that’s what we’re about to do.

Step 1: Break It Down (So It Feels Less Impossible)

If someone handed you a bill for $10,000 right now, you’d probably laugh (or cry). But if we slice that number up, it starts to look a lot more doable:

• $833 per month

• $192 per week

• $27 per day

That’s one Uber ride, two iced lattes, or one overpriced takeout order per day.

In other words, you don’t need to make some massive, impossible life change. You just need to make small, consistent moves that add up over time.

Step 2: Trick Yourself Into Saving (Because Willpower Is a Scam)

You know that feeling when your paycheck hits and you feel invincible for like… 48 hours? And then suddenly you’re broke again?

Yeah. That’s why waiting until the end of the month to save never works.

Here’s what actually works:

• Pay Yourself First: Set up an automatic transfer to your savings account the second your paycheck lands. If you don’t see it, you won’t spend it.

• Use a Money-Saving App: Apps like Plently, Mint, or Qapital will stash your money in a separate account without you even noticing.

• Make It Inconvenient: Keep your savings in a high-yield savings account or somewhere hard to touch (like a CD or a different bank).

Basically, treat saving like a subscription service—except instead of paying Netflix, you’re paying Future You.

Step 3: Stop Wasting Money on Dumb Stuff (Without Becoming a Miserable Hermit)

Let’s be clear, we're not about to tell you to stop buying coffee or live off ramen noodles. That’s not the vibe.

But let’s be honest, you probably have a few spending habits that aren’t doing you any favors.

What to cut back on (without hating your life):

❌ Useless Subscriptions: Do you really need Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, AND Amazon Prime?

❌ Impulse Shopping: Before buying something, wait 72 hours. If you still want it, cool. If not, congrats, you just saved money.

❌ Takeout Addiction: No one’s saying you need to meal-prep like a fitness influencer, but cooking at home twice a week instead of ordering DoorDash? That’s hundreds saved.

Step 4: Make More Money (Without Selling Your Soul)

At some point, you can’t cut anything else. If you’re barely scraping by, the only way to save more is to earn more.

But that doesn’t mean you have to get a second job flipping burgers on weekends (unless you want to).

Easy Side Hustles That Won’t Drain Your Energy:

💰 Freelancing: Got a skill? Writing, graphic design, video editing? People will pay for it on Fiverr or Upwork.

💰 Selling Stuff Online: Clothes you never wear? Old tech? Sell them on Poshmark, Depop, or Facebook Marketplace.

💰 Rent Out Your Stuff: Car, camera, bike? People will pay to borrow them.

💰 User Testing: Websites like UserTesting will pay you just to give feedback on apps and websites.

No need to work 24/7, just find a way to bring in an extra $100-$200 a month.

Step 5: Where to Actually Put Your Money

If you leave your savings in your normal bank account, it’s going to magically disappear (we both know it).

So let’s put it somewhere safe, separate, and growing.

Best Places to Store Your $10K Fund:

• High-Yield Savings Accounts: Earn more interest than a regular savings account.

• Plently’s Money Circles: Save with friends and keep each other accountable.

• Investment Apps: Put a small amount into index funds, ETFs, or micro-investing apps like Acorns.

• CDs (Certificates of Deposit): If you don’t need the money soon, lock it in for higher interest rates.

The goal? Keep your savings somewhere hard to touch but easy to grow.

Step 6: Stay Motivated (So You Don’t Quit in 3 Months)

Saving money is boring, unless you make it a game.

🎯 Use a Visual Tracker: Color in a savings chart or use an app that shows your progress.

👫 Find a Savings Buddy: Everything’s easier when you’re not doing it alone.

🏆 Reward Yourself: Every time you hit a milestone ($2,500, $5,000, etc.), treat yourself (responsibly).

Final Thoughts: Just Start. Seriously.

Saving $10K sounds huge, but once you break it down, it’s actually just a series of small, smart moves. You don’t have to be rich. You don’t have to give up everything fun. You just have to start.

So, what’s the first thing you’re going to do? Let’s make this happen.