How to save $1,000 fast on a tight budget

The math: about $80 a week

Saving $1,000 in three months means setting aside roughly $335 a month, or about $80 a week. That sounds like a lot, but it rarely comes from one big change. It usually comes from four or five small ones added together.

1. Cut what you won't miss (about $100 a month)

• Cancel subscriptions you haven't used in a month. The subscription finder helps.
• Call your phone and internet providers and ask for a better rate, or check the phone bill checker.
• Shop your car insurance once a year with the car insurance checkup.

2. Spend less on food (about $100 a month)

Food is the most flexible part of most budgets. Plan meals for the week before you shop, buy store brands, cook a double batch to cover lunches, and limit takeout to one planned night a week. Cutting just two takeout meals a week can free up $80 to $120 a month.

3. Sell what you don't use (a one-time $100 to $300)

Old phones, gaming gear, furniture, tools, baby items and clothes sell quickly online or at local resale shops. Set a goal of five items in the first two weeks.

4. Earn a little extra (about $100+ a month)

A few extra shifts, weekend pet sitting, tutoring, yard work or deliveries can close the gap quickly. If you earn side income, set part of it aside for taxes. The side hustle tax calculator shows how much.

5. Make saving automatic

Open a separate savings account and set up an automatic transfer on payday, even if it's only $40. Money you never see in checking is much harder to spend. Use the savings goal calculator to set a target date and watch your progress.

Once you hit $1,000

Keep it for real emergencies, and celebrate the milestone. Then decide what's next: building a full emergency fund, paying down high-interest debt with the avalanche or snowball, or both. The money planner can help you split what's left after bills between them.