Building wealth sounds like something that requires endless amounts of time that, let’s be honest, many of us just don’t have. But the reality is that often, we can accomplish more with our money by doing less. Take these six “slacker” moves.
1. Don’t jump when the market doesStock prices can fluctuate based on a variety of factors—from political drama to corporate earnings and new economic data—so it’s nearly impossible to predict what’s coming and when. That means people who panic-sell are much more likely to miss out on future returns than to benefit from taking action.
Read: Invest simple with lazy portfolios
What to do when the market suddenly drops? Nothing. Give yourself permission to stop watching the news and stalking your account balance. The best approach is usually to just stick it out. Remember that the U.S. stock market has gone up significantly over time; it just doesn’t climb in straight lines.
2. Automate your savingsThis one’s a no-brainer. Setting up automatic transfers from your paycheck or checking account to savings ensures you’ll never forget to do it, and you won’t accidentally spend the money on other stuff first.
3. Bump up your 401(k) contributions automaticallyIt’s easy to want to invest more for retirement, but it can be hard to actually make it happen. Enter: “auto-escalation.” It’s a feature as many as 60% of employers offer as part of their 401(k) plans that automatically increases your contributions on a regular schedule, like around raise time. (If your company’s 401(k) doesn’t have this feature, simply set a calendar reminder to raise your contribution percentage once or twice a year.)
4. Become a digital stranger on your favorite shopping sitesAccording to one survey, Americans waste a whopping $450 every month on impulse buys. If “1-click” shopping is your budgeting kryptonite, just say no to autofill—and save by virtue of the fact that you’re probably too lazy to get off the couch, hunt down your wallet and type in your credit card number.
5. Shop your own cabinetsSpeaking of impulse buys, it’s not just online shopping that gets us in trouble. The average American makes 1.5 weekly trips to the grocery store, which presents plenty of opportunities to fill your cart with stuff you don’t really need (especially if you’re shopping hungry). So instead of immediately heading to the supermarket, save yourself a trip and scope out your own kitchen for food that might otherwise be wasted. You’d be surprised at what you can whip up with everyday ingredients you already have.
6. Nab a last-minute travel dealYou had good intentions to plan your summer getaway in March, but, well, you just didn’t get around to it. Lucky for you, waiting till the last minute can pay off. Try the last-minute deals section of Expedia, EXPE, -1.38% where you can save hundreds on hotel and flight packages; visit HotelTonight for up to 50% off accommodations; or look into LastMinuteCruises.com, where you can book upcoming voyages for just $50 to $75 a night.
