Susie Skog knows Lake Norman Real Estate Inside Out

The savings rate in America is pretty abysmal. Fifty-seven percent of Americans have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts, according to a 2017 GOBanking Rates survey.

Without savings, people can be forced to take on debt when they lose their job, get sick or have major car repairs. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to trick yourself into saving money, whether for retirement, college, a new car, vacation or a rainy day. Here are five:

Automatic Transfers
Having money automatically moved from your paycheck to a retirement account, or from your checking account to savings, can be a painless way to save money without realizing youre doing it. Its called Pay yourself first and it is meant to pay into your retirement or other savings accounts so that you pay your future self first. Otherwise, its money youre likely to spend.

Hide It
Automatic transfers are one way to hide your money and keep it out of your sight so you dont spend it. There are other ways to hide your savings, though you dont want to hide it so well that you forget it exists.

Set up savings accounts at another bank than where your checking account is. This will help you avoid seeing the balance when you log in to your checking account. It also makes the savings account a little more difficult to get to since its not at the same institution as your checking account.

Sign up for paperless statements where your savings accounts are, such as retirement accounts, so you dont see the balance too often. Check in a few times a year and set up text or email alerts for withdrawals or unusual activity so you arent a victim of fraud.

Digital Savings
Did you ever have a container at home to put your spare change into? Apps on your phone can do the same thing. Apps such as Digit and Acorns transfer spare money from your checking account to a savings account, or invests it. Some banks round up debit card purchases and transfer the change to your savings account.

Bank Any Extra Money
If you save money by canceling a cable TV subscription or other service, move that monthly savings into a savings account each month with an automatic transfer. Otherwise, the money will stay in your checking account and will likely be spent elsewhere.

For one-time windfalls, such as a tax refund, deposit it into your savings account or buy a one-year certificate of deposit. If you try to take out the money early from a CD, youll be charged a small penalty.

Did you recently get a raise at work? Bank that extra money in your paycheck, as well.

Stuff $1 Bills Away.
Along with saving your coins at the end of the day, put aside every $1 bill you have in your pocket. Put them in a change jar and, at the end of the week or the end of the month, gather them all and deposit them into your savings account.

If you really want to save big, save your $5 and $10 bills.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If your bathrooms are feeling a little dated or worse for wear, here are some tile ideas to give them an elevated look.

Herringbone Marble Tile

If youre not the type who buys into trends, you can rest assured that this classic herringbone pattern will look just as stylish twenty years from now as it does today.

Patterned Encaustic Tile

This trendy and vibrant tile choice comes in a variety of cement styles, from geometric to exotic patterns, and can completely transform the feel of your bathroom.

Glass Mosaic Tile

These small, shiny mosaic tiles come in a stunning array of shimmering colors and are surprisingly durable, guaranteed to create a breathtaking bathroom.

Matte Black Subway Tile

If you’re going for a modern or minimalist style, this low-luster, sleek ceramic, stone or even porcelain tile, can bring your bathroom to life.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

A long soak in a bubble-filled tub can feel like heaven after a hard day at work"and soaking in a bath that feels like a spa can elevate that happy relaxation. Here’s how you can elevate your home’s bath experience:

Add some greenery. Place a pot of minty eucalyptus on the counter, or any bright greenery that loves moisture, to add a fresh look and feel to your bath. They look pretty and smell relaxing, too!

Add a basket or two. A trick from resort hotels, pile a stack of soft towels on a small stool and put a basket of lovingly chosen lotions and soaps on the counter. Its a quick and easy way to make a bathroom feel luxurious.

Choose bath mats carefully. Fabric mats can collect moisture and get moldy, while a slatted wooden bamboo stays clean longer and adds a little Zen to your retreat.

Introduce aromas. A spa appeals to all your senses, including scent. To aid in relaxation in your homes bathroom, light a candle with a soothing aroma, like lavender or eucalyptus, or put out some essential oils.

Hang some artwork. Give yourself something visual to focus on as you lounge in the tub. Hang a print with a relaxing theme, such as ocean waves or a tropical beach scene.

Add a bath caddy. The shower caddy is too high if youre in the tub. Corral all your bath supplies, from soaps and shampoos to loofah sponges, in an easy-to-reach caddy hung at tub level so they are at your fingertips when you need them.

Tie everything in with a shower curtain. The shower curtain takes up a lot of space in a small room, so hanging a new one with a chic and minimal design can dramatically change the rooms atmosphere.

Make some updates. And if you really want an impressive spa-like bath, make some upgrades like adding heated floors and a rainfall shower head.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Teaching your child about money by giving them a piggy bank or having them earn an allowance by doing household chores is a great start to learning about how to earn and save money.

Spending wisely, however, is another lesson. And it will probably come away from home and without adult supervision.

A debit card"usually linked to a parents checking account"or a prepaid debit card can help children learn how to manage money jointly with their parents. Their spending can be monitored, such as through a phone app from their bank in a joint account that the parent puts money into only for this purpose.

Before giving their child a debit card, here are some things parents should know and discuss with their children:

Age limits: Most banks dont allow minors to have a debit card in their own name until theyre 16. Some allow it at age 13, though a joint account with a parent may be best if a parent is trying to teach them good money habits.

Account features: Look for accounts that have low or no maintenance fees, online account monitoring, lots of ATM access, spending limits and text alerts for balances and large withdrawals.

Accounts aimed at teens: Some banks and credit unions have debit card accounts aimed at teens, offering free checking and other services.

USAA, for example, has a Youth Spending account with a debit card for children whereparents can check spending online or on a mobile app. Teens 13 and older can access their accounts on apps. Parents can specify if their child can transfer money and make deposits, and can receive text messages if a spending limit is exceeded or an account balance is low.

The USAA plan has no monthly service fee, regardless of the balance. Overdraft protection can be tied to an existing USAA credit card or savings account.

No overdrafts: If possible, find an account that doesnt allow the teen to spend more than is in the account. If there isnt enough money to pay for a transaction, the debit card will be declined.

Link to a savings account: To encourage kids to save some of their money, their joint checking account can be linked to the childs savings account. Before linking the two accounts, parents may want to make sure their child has the discipline to leave money in a savings account alone. If they can contribute to it regularly, they may be less inclined to pull money from it when they see something they want to buy but dont have enough money for in their checking account.

Published with permission from RISMedia.