Why Saving Money Feels So Hard (And How to Actually Keep It Saved)

You want to save money, and maybe you’ve even tried. But every time you build up a little bit of savings, something happens. A big bill hits, your car needs a repair, or you’re just short on cash for the month, and suddenly you’re pulling that money right back out.

It’s frustrating, isn’t it? It feels like you’re trying to make progress, but you keep ending up in the same place.

Here’s the thing, it’s not because you’re bad with money or lack discipline. It’s usually because of two big issues that most people were never taught how to handle.

1. You don’t really know how much your lifestyle costs.

Most people have a general idea of their bills, like rent or mortgage, car payment, utilities, but not a clear picture of what their whole lifestyle actually costs.

Without that awareness, it’s impossible to know how much you can realistically save. So when you move money into savings, it might feel good in the moment, but if that money is needed later to cover everyday expenses, it feels like a setback.

The problem isn’t that you’re not saving. It’s that your spending plan doesn’t line up with reality yet.

2. You’re not planning for the “non-monthly” expenses.

We all have those expenses that don’t show up every month, things like:

• Car repairs and maintenance

• Annual renewals or insurance premiums

• Birthdays, holidays, or special events

• Home repairs or appliance replacements

• Vacations or weekend getaways

When those expenses hit, they can wipe out your progress, not because you failed, but because they weren’t planned for.

A big part of saving successfully is smoothing out those uneven expenses by planning for them in advance.

3. You don’t have a clear purpose for your savings.

A client once told me, “I don’t have a savings account, and I don’t really get the purpose of saving money. What am I saving for?”

That question stuck with me because it’s honest. Many people save because they’ve been told they should, but they’ve never stopped to define what that money is actually for.

When your money in savings doesn’t have a purpose, it’s easy to spend it the next time something comes up. This is why saving money feels hard. But when you’re clear on what the money is meant to do, whether it’s to cover annual expenses, build a buffer for slow months, or create peace of mind, it becomes intentional.

You’re no longer just “saving money.” You’re preparing for your future needs and goals.

So, how do you know what you can actually save?

Start by separating your expenses into three categories:

1. Fixed expenses - the things that happen every month (mortgage/rent, utilities, car payment, subscriptions, etc.).

2. Variable expenses - the ones you have more control over (groceries, dining out, gas, shopping, etc.).

3. Occasional expenses - those quarterly, annual, or one-off costs that sneak up on you.

Once you have a realistic view of your spending, you can make more informed choices.

Let’s say you want to save $300 a month but realize you’re consistently short by $50. Instead of feeling defeated, you can review your spending and decide where you want to make changes. Maybe it’s a few less takeout meals or skipping one subscription you don’t really use.

If you want to take it further, add a little extra cushion for those big or irregular expenses. For example, if you know you’ll spend around $1,200 on holiday gifts, setting aside $100 each month means you won’t have to drain your savings in December.

The goal isn’t just to save money. It’s to keep it saved.

When you understand what your money needs to do each month (and each year), saving becomes predictable instead of frustrating. You stop feeling like you’re starting over every few months and start feeling like you’re in control.

If you’re tired of feeling like your savings is just a revolving door, it might be time to get a plan that actually works for your life and your income.

Ready to see where your money is really going and start saving with confidence?

Book a free Q&A Call and let’s create a plan that supports both your goals and your lifestyle.