Want to save more without thinking about it? A CFP’s 6-step system

Between rising costs, packed schedules and a constant stream of financial advice, saving money can feel like another task competing for your attention. But it doesn’t have to be as complicated as it seems.

Building an emergency fund or contributing to investments can be as simple as setting up a few automatic transfers and then letting them run in the background. In fact, using automation tools removes much of the mental work that can make saving feel overwhelming in the first place.

That’s often the real barrier, CFP Amber FitzRysler, founder of Rising Financial, tells CNBC Select. “People don’t struggle to save because they’re irresponsible — they struggle because life is busy,” she says.

Here’s how to make automation work for you.

One way to get started automating your nest egg is by setting up one main checking account where all of your income lands, FitzRysler says — whether that’s paychecks, side-gig earnings, tax refunds or any other deposits.

“Have everything land in one place first,” she adds. “Then build the structure around it.”

Think of that account as your financial home base. When all your income flows into a single spot, it’s easier to understand your cash flow and decide where your money should go next. From there, you can set up automatic transfers into separate savings accounts tied to specific goals.

The Capital One 360 Checking is a good one because it gives you access to close to 750 branches and over 2,000 in-network ATMs. It also has no account minimum, no charge for overdrafts and no foreign transaction fees.

The Alliant High Rate Checking also offers no minimum balance requirement, overdraft or non-sufficient funds fee. While it is a credit union, Alliant just requires a $5 donation to the nonprofit Alliant Credit Union Foundation, which will be refunded once you open your account. Members have access to over 80,000 fee-free ATMs and up to $20 is reimbursed per month for out-of-network ATM fees.

Once you have a central checking account in place, the next step is to open separate savings accounts for specific goals. That could include one for emergencies, for travel, for holiday spending or even for longer-term goals like a down payment. The key is giving each goal its own space.

“I don’t like to see goals competing in the same account,” FitzRysler says.

When everything sits in one savings account, it’s easy to lose track of what that money is actually for or accidentally spend funds you meant to set aside for something else. Separating your savings into labeled buckets adds clarity and makes it easier to see your progress toward each goal.

The Ally Online Savings Account actually lets you create up to 30 different buckets within the same account for designated funds or goals. Plus, it comes with a solid rate, no minimum account balances and no monthly maintenance fees.

The SoFi Checking and Savings account also offers “Vaults,” which function like savings buckets for specific goals. You can also enroll in SoFi “Roundups,” which automatically round up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar. Those spare-change amounts can then be directed straight into your savings.

Instead of picking a random amount to transfer each month, start by deciding what you want to save for over the next year. How much will you need and when will you need it by? Once you have a clear number, divide that total by 12 (or by the number of months you have until the expense). Then set up an automatic transfer for that amount from your checking account into the appropriate savings bucket.

Breaking a larger goal into monthly contributions makes it feel more attainable and also helps ensure your planned expenses don’t turn into financial stress later on. For example, if you expect to spend $1,200 on holiday gifts this year, setting aside $100 per month can spread that cost out evenly instead of scrambling come December.

When setting up automatic transfers, it can be tempting to choose an ambitious number or you may feel you have to go big right away. But starting aggressively can actually backfire.

Automating just $25 can actually be more effective than setting up $500 and ending up turning it off a few months later. “The goal isn’t perfection, it’s momentum,” FitzRysler says. Building the habit matters more than hitting an ideal number right away. Plus, you can always increase the amount later.

Automation doesn’t have to stop at your bank accounts. In fact, many workplace retirement plans allow employees to set up automatic annual contribution increases. For example, you can schedule to have your 401(k) contribution go up 1% automatically each year, or you can increase it after a raise.

Some employers also allow direct paycheck splits, which would send a portion of your pay directly into savings before it even hits your checking account. This could especially be helpful if “out of sight, out of mind” is a good strategy for you. That way, when the money moves automatically, consistency stops being the barrier.

Even with automation in place, it’s important to review your savings plan periodically. That could mean quarterly check-ins or an annual review to assess your progress, increase contributions after a raise or adjust for major life transitions like a marriage, new child or job change.

At the same time, try to avoid reacting to every interest rate change. Chasing a slightly higher savings rate may not be worth the time and effort if your broader plan is already working.

Expense trackers and budgeting apps can make these check-ins easier, especially if logging into multiple accounts feels overwhelming. Many platforms allow you to link your bank, credit card and investment accounts so you can see everything in one place.

For example, Monarch offers a clean, easy-to-navigate dashboard and a seven-day free trial for new users. YNAB, short for “You Need A Budget,” is built around a zero-based budgeting approach, which encourages users to assign every dollar a specific purpose so nothing goes unaccounted for.

At CNBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. For this story, we interviewed Amber FitzRysler, a certified financial planner, founder and CEO of Rising Financial.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every savings article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of savings and banking products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

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