Fees aren’t Getting Past Sydney’s Radar
Financial change means different things to different people. For one, it may be sticking to a budget for the first time in eons; for another, it could be meeting savings objectives for a palpable goal. Whatever the reason, users all over the United States are experiencing change thanks to Change. In this series, you’ll get a glimpse of the ways Change has made an impact on the way others think about, and handle, money in their everyday lives.
Meet Sydney Banks from Boston, MA. As a sales professional, she’s well aware of the money-in, money-out equation, yet from time to time finds it hard to balance her budget living in a notoriously expensive city. If you’ve ever lived in a highly desired area, you surely understand why it comes with a hefty price tag — and realize it takes some adjusting. So how does Sydney do it all? Read on to find out.
Which message do you remember the most?
“Small recurring payments tend to be forgotten. For example, you spend $14.99/month on ‘Spotify’, which adds up to $179.88/year. Maybe, just maybe, there’s something else you’d rather spend that money on.”
Why was it interesting to you?
“The compiled list of recurring charges reminded me of subscriptions I had forgotten about as well as maintenance fees that I didn’t realize my bank was charging me. By bringing these to my attention, I’m going to save what would add up to over $300 a year.”
Do you feel a change in your spending behavior?
“By becoming more aware of my spending behavior with Change, I’m able to make better decisions about if, how and where I should spend my money in any given week.”
Do you feel more aware of your financial status?
“I feel with continued use of Change I am going to be more mindful of my spending habits and account amounts which make me more conscious of spending behavior and will put me in a better long-term financial position.”
What is your toughest financial challenge at the moment?
“Since I work in Sales and live in an expensive city, my biggest financial challenge is balancing my variable compensation with my student loan payments, monthly rent and miscellaneous expenses all while attempting to put away some money into savings.”
If you could save money with us, what would you save for?
“I’d love to build up a semi-substantial rainy day fund so that I will be fine if there are any major financial changes in my future.”
Since Auto-Saving is a thing now — umm yeah, have you heard? — Sydney can get on that master plan of paying off loans and saving for a rainy day ASAP. Best of all, it won’t replace any existing savings plans already in place, think of it as just a way to prove to yourself you could be saving more, even if you don’t realize it. Meanwhile, Sydney’s already at least $300 ahead of the curb for 2017 — how about you?
Originally published at gochange.co on April 23, 2017.
