How to start saving money in 2020

MARQUETTE COUNTY — January 1st is just a few days away, and that means it’s time to start thinking about New Year’s resolutions. If you’ve been wanting to find ways to get your finances in order, the beginning of a new year is a great opportunity to start saving.

Knowing where to start when it comes to setting money aside for the future can be difficult. According to Ryan Brown, a Member Service Representative for the Marquette Community Federal Credit Union, one of the best ways to set money aside is something that many people don’t know much about–a Roth IRA.

“Something that a lot of people haven’t heard of is an IRA,” said Brown. “One of the best things you can do starting out is to open up a Roth IRA. It’s a retirement account, but any contribution that you put into it can be taken out and used right away without penalty or tax. So basically you can use it as a savings account but get a higher rate.”

Christmas may have just passed, but if you had trouble finding money for gifts this year, you may want to think about starting to save up now. Taking a few dollars from every paycheck and setting them aside for the holidays can be a tremendous help when the Christmas rush starts next December.

“One of the biggest things I get asked is, ‘How do you save for Christmas?’” said Brown. “That is probably one of the best ways to save for Christmas. Just put a couple bucks away every paycheck and then don’t touch it, maybe put it in a secure savings account that you have labeled ‘wait for Christmas’ or something like that. And then at the end of the year you’ll be surprised at how much that adds up to.”

Anyone can open a savings account, and it’s simple to do at the Marquette Community Federal Credit Union. Just stop in with five dollars, a valid photo identification, and proof of local residence, and you’ll already have a head start on saving money in 2020.