News & Trending Banking News

8 Genius Ways To Automate Savings to Unconsciously Grow Your Wealth

Build wealth while you sleep with these hands-off savings tricks.

couple doing accounting using laptop
Updated Nov. 14, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Perhaps you’ve been dreaming of the day when artificial intelligence and computers will take all the work and hassle out of saving your money to grow your wealth

While we’re not quite there yet, there are some simple ways to increase your savings without constantly thinking about them.

Here’s a look at eight ways to automate your savings and unconsciously grow your wealth. Some of them may be easier than you think.

Steal this billionaire wealth-building technique

The ultra-rich have also been investing in art from big names like Picasso and Bansky for centuries. And it's for a good reason: Contemporary art prices have outpaced the S&P 500 by 136% over the last 27 years.

A new company called Masterworks is now allowing everyday investors to get in on this type of previously-exclusive investment. You can buy a small slice of $1-$30 million paintings from iconic artists, all without needing any art expertise.

If you have at least $10k to invest and are ready to explore diversifying beyond stocks and bonds,see what Masterworks has on offer. (Hurry, they often sell out!)

Save money from each paycheck

Andrey Popov/Adobe Businessman Opening Envelope With Paycheck

This is a case where technology can be your friend when automatically growing your savings. If you’re working, your employer probably lets you deposit a portion of every paycheck directly into your savings. 

That means it’s done for you, and you don’t need to think about it. Further, you can check into enrolling in your employer’s tax-advantaged retirement plan or an individual retirement account. 

You could have some of each paycheck directed toward retirement savings.

Want to learn how to build wealth like the 1%? Sign up for Worthy to get ideas and advice delivered to your inbox.

Use automatic savings tools

Nina Lawrenson/peopleimages.com/Adobe laptop and fintech phone app

Sticking with tech, you may want to check out apps and savings tools available to help you save money. These come in a variety of formats with lots of options. You may be able to find a financial solution that fits your lifestyle and budget. 

Further, some apps or savings tools offer account types to help you set and meet short-term and long-term savings goals. Some may even use artificial intelligence to analyze your money habits and offer solutions.

Save your change

lovelyday12/Adobe businessman saving money

You may think your change doesn’t go far in today’s world, but perhaps it’s time to rethink that. Some apps and savings tools will let you automatically save your spare change by rounding up the amounts from your purchases. 

Further, some banks and companies have programs that allow you to round up the change similarly. Using your debit card for some of these programs may be even more helpful to track your progress.

Get a free stock valued between $5 to $200

Secret: You don't need thousands of dollars to buy thousand-dollar stocks or create a diverse portfolio.

Robinhood offers a method of investing called “fractional shares.” On its own, one share of a single stock could cost a lot of money, making it difficult to diversify. Robinhood allows you to buy pieces of stock instead, so you have the option to build a diverse portfolio quickly.

Let’s say you want to invest $250, as an example.

With that amount, you could build a relatively diverse portfolio with an investment of $50 in a big tech stock, $50 in a retail stock, $50 in an energy stock, $50 in a manufacturing stock, and $50 in a bank.1

Even better news? Add a Robinhood Gold membership, and you’ll get access to 4.25% (as of 11/15/24) APY2on your uninvested cash3and the ability to buy and sell stocks 24 hours a day, 5 days a week.

Open and fund a Robinhood account and earn up to $200 in stock

Track your progress with savings

ipopba/Adobe mobile banking

Speaking of tracking your progress, it’s a good idea to figure out how you want to do that when trying to automate savings and grow your wealth. Today, you have many choices to help simplify the process. 

First, you can easily find a budgeting app. Second, your savings account may even offer a built-in tool to help. Finally, you could also set up your own spreadsheet to track your contributions and savings.

Select the best high-interest savings account

Poca Wander Stock/Adobe woman sitting on table using laptop and calculator to calculate interest rate

Maybe it’s time to put your bank accounts to work to grow your wealth without much hassle. If that’s your plan, look into high-interest savings accounts. These can offer good rates to help you grow your savings. 

If your current bank doesn’t provide savings options with high interest rates, you may consider switching to another institution. Perhaps an online bank offers an attractive rate. 

Be sure to consider any fees or deposit requirements. They can easily cut into your savings.

Boost your savings

Prostock-studio/Adobe guy using calculator

You may be looking at ways to cut your spending each month. But if you want to grow your wealth, save that extra money. That means increasing automatic transfers to your savings by the amount you’re looking to cut from your spending. 

In other words, grow your money by turning your unnecessary monthly expenses into monthly deposits into your savings.

Look at your goals

NINENII/Adobe businessman doing finances

Once you plan to boost your savings, you may want to focus on your goals. For example, you could open separate free savings accounts for each goal, such as saving for a vacation or a house downpayment. 

Your bank may even let you create buckets within your one savings account for each goal.

Be careful with windfalls

pitipat/Adobe bonus in envelope from boss

You must avoid temptation if you’re serious about growing your savings to build wealth. This may especially come into play if you receive a significant financial windfall, such as a work bonus or an inheritance.

Instead of making a big purchase, consider putting the money in a high-yield savings account. It can grow your money while you look at your options. 

It’s probably helpful to look at this windfall as part of a longer-term strategy to set yourself up for financial security for the rest of your life.

Bottom line

N Lawrenson/peopleimages.com/Adobe couple with fintech

Tech can be a valuable tool if you’re looking for simple ways to automate your savings and grow your wealth. You can look for digital solutions, from online tools to apps, and compare those to what your bank offers.

When looking at your options, remember that not all tools or apps will work for your lifestyle and financial strategies.

Ask a financial advisor for recommendations, particularly if you have questions or concerns about making the most tax-efficient decisions and keeping more cash in your wallet.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details


Author Details

Chris Adam

Chris Adam is a seasoned personal finance, technology, and general assignment journalist. As a broadcast and digital journalist, he's served as a leader in network and local newsrooms. Some of his favorite topics to write about include investing, shopping, retail, and stocks.