Here’s a really scary stat: More than half of Americans (57 percent) have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts. That’s the findings of the 2017 GOBankingRates survey. Sure, it can seem hard to save, but it’s also hard to live knowing you don’t have much tucked away for emergencies. In fact, it’s stressful. Everyone needs a cash cushion to fall back on every once in a while.

That’s why the age-old maxim — “Pay yourself first” — is still great advice. When you make savings a priority, you’re making an investment in your dreams and your future — whether it’s a down payment for a new car or home, a college fund for the kids, that once-in-a-lifetime vacation or something else on your wishlist. Following are some tips to help you kick-start your savings.

Make a plan.
Figure out how much you can save each paycheck. Do this by deducting your monthly bills from your monthly income to figure out how much discretionary money you have left over each month. Then commit to a realistic dollar amount that you’ll place in savings each paycheck — before you pay bills, before you go out to eat, before you spend money on anything. It doesn’t have to a be lot. At Financial Center, for example, you can open a savings account with just $50. The important thing is to get started and stick with it. If you’re already tucking away money into a savings account each month, see if you can add a little more to it. The beauty of regular savings is that your money just keeps growing over time.

Make it automatic.
Don’t leave savings to chance. If your paycheck is automatically deposited into your checking account twice a month, set up an automatic transfer into your savings account. That way, you can save money without having to think about it. By doing so, you’ll avoid the excuses that often derail paying yourself first. Savings apps are another easy way to make saving painless. Some help you figure out how much you can save each month, set savings goals, and keep you posted on your progress. Just make sure you understand the ins and outs of using them and whether they have hidden fees.

Make it fun.
Team together with friends or family members to create a savings club. The encouragement and sense of camaraderie can make saving fun, not dreary. Some financial institutions offer savings clubs with incentives to help you stay motivated. With Financial Center’s “Save to Win” program, you not only develop good saving habits and earn a competitive rate, you have a chance to win money. For every $25 you deposit into a Save to Win share certificate, you earn a chance to win up to $5,000 each quarter, along with up to 10 chances each month to win a monthly cash prize.

Make time to educate yourself.
Whether you’re just beginning to save or have been saving for a while, it’s always a good to get some expert advice. Attend free workshops, find free online education, or attend a lunchtime seminar through your company’s wellness program. Throughout the year, Financial Center’s full-time education advocates organize programs on everything from basic budgeting and building credit to saving for the future. In 2017, we paid back more than $6,000 to members who attended our Wealth Builder workshops — a free how-to program designed to help people make the leap from “living check-to-check” to “living financially secure.” And, when you’re ready to invest your savings, our CFS¹ Financial Advisors are ready to help you make a plan to reach your goals — big and small. To schedule an appointment to meet with our financial counselors or advisors, simply fill out the form below and a member of our team will contact you.