We all know saving money is one of those things you’re “supposed” to be good at, like flossing or answering emails quickly.
Of course, in reality, it’s not always that easy. Not only do a lot of people not have any extra cash to work with once the bills are paid, but even for those that do, some bad money habits creep up so subtly you barely notice until you’re wondering where your whole pay cheque disappeared. If you’re wondering whether your saving game could use a little work, here are some signs you might be worse at it than you realise. Don’t worry, you’re definitely not alone.
1. You always tell yourself you’ll save “next month.”
In your mind, the future you is a budgeting genius, but the current you just needs to enjoy this one splurge, this one holiday, this one little treat. You’re constantly pushing savings down the road like it’s some mythical version of yourself’s problem.
Unfortunately, that future you never really arrives, and every new month comes with fresh excuses. Good saving habits have to start now, even if it’s tiny amounts. Waiting for the “perfect time” is just another way to avoid starting.
2. You rely heavily on sales as an excuse to spend.
Sure, getting something for half price feels like winning, but if you weren’t planning to buy it in the first place, you’re not actually saving anything. Sales have a sneaky way of convincing you that you’re being smart, when really, you’re still spending unnecessarily.
If your shopping cart is always full because “it was too good a deal to pass up,” that’s a sign that saving isn’t driving your choices—the rush of a bargain is. Real savings happen when you skip buying stuff altogether, not just when it’s cheaper than usual.
3. You have no idea where your money goes each month.
If payday feels like winning the lottery, but two weeks later, you’re scrambling to figure out what happened, it’s a red flag. Not tracking your spending leaves you constantly surprised (and stressed) about how quickly money disappears.
Saving gets a lot easier when you actually know where your money is going. Without some form of budget or tracking, you’re basically tossing cash into the wind and hoping some of it sticks somewhere useful.
4. You treat your savings account like a second current account.
Savings are meant to stay put, not act like a backup debit card for when you overspend. If you’re constantly dipping into savings for impulse buys, takeout, or nights out, that money isn’t really “saved” at all. It’s just delayed spending. Building real savings means treating that account like a no-go zone unless it’s an actual emergency. If you see it as easy money to dip into whenever, it’ll never build the security net you’re hoping for.
5. You assume future you will be richer and fix everything.
Maybe you tell yourself that once you get a better job, once the bonus comes through, once you hit a certain age, saving will just magically happen. It’s a comforting fantasy, but it’s also a dangerous one. Future you might have different income, but you’ll also have bigger responsibilities. Waiting until life “settles down” before saving usually just means it gets harder later, not easier.
6. You reward yourself way too often
Self-care is important, but if every little success or hard day ends with a “treat yourself” purchase, saving will always take a back seat. Constant “rewards” add up faster than you think. It’s not about never treating yourself, it’s about not letting short-term rewards eat away at long-term goals. Sometimes the best reward is the feeling of watching your savings balance grow instead of your shopping cart.
7. You don’t have a plan for unexpected expenses.
If an unexpected car repair or vet bill instantly wipes you out or sends you reaching for a credit card, it’s a sign your savings aren’t where they need to be. Life throws curveballs, and not having a cushion turns small problems into full-blown financial crises. Building an emergency fund sounds boring, but it’s the ultimate peace-of-mind move. If you’re always scrambling when something breaks, it’s a clear signal that your saving habits need a serious upgrade.
8. You buy big-ticket items without a real budget.
Impulse-buying a new TV or booking a spontaneous trip without checking if you can truly afford it is fun in the moment, but painful when the bills start rolling in. Big purchases deserve big planning, even if they’re exciting. If you’re always convincing yourself it’ll “work out somehow,” you’re living dangerously close to financial freefall. Saving is about respecting future consequences as much as enjoying the present moment.
9. You live pay cheque to pay cheque, even when you don’t have to.
Some people genuinely struggle to make ends meet, but if you earn enough to save and still end up broke before payday, it’s probably more about spending habits than income problems. It’s easy to fall into lifestyle inflation, where your spending grows as your pay cheque does. Breaking that cycle means committing to save a percentage of your income before you even think about spending the rest.
10. You think saving only matters for big goals.
If you’re only motivated to save for huge milestones like a house deposit or a big trip, you’re missing out on the power of small, consistent saving habits. It’s not just about the big wins—it’s about building security bit by bit. Waiting for a “big reason” to save means missing the dozens of little chances to build stability along the way. Small savings grow into big opportunities if you let them, but only if you start early and often.
11. You avoid looking at your bank statements.
Financial denial is real. If you’re scared to check your balance or look at what you spent last weekend, it’s a huge sign that your saving habits aren’t where they need to be. Facing your spending head-on might be uncomfortable at first, but it’s the only way to make real changes. The more you avoid it, the more you dig yourself into a hole that gets harder (and more expensive) to climb out of.
12. You always think saving is something you’ll start “after this month.”
There’s always a reason to delay saving—a birthday, a night out, a sale, a bad day. But when every month comes with a new excuse, saving never actually gets off the ground. Building a strong saving habit means committing to it even when life gets messy or tempting. If you only save when it’s easy, it’ll never become something you can truly rely on; it’ll just stay another thing you keep meaning to do someday.
