{"id":307877,"date":"2025-12-10T00:07:14","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T00:07:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/307877\/"},"modified":"2025-12-10T00:07:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T00:07:14","slug":"the-soft-saving-money-hack-lets-you-enjoy-life-right-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/307877\/","title":{"rendered":"The “Soft Saving” Money Hack Lets You Enjoy Life Right Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

While nobody\u2019s saying you shouldn\u2019t save for retirement<\/a>, it is a bit boring to only think about what your life will look like 40 years from now. You can plan so that the 70-year-old version of yourself gets to sip margaritas on a beach, but what about the version of you right now? She wants a margarita, too.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where soft saving<\/a>, a TikTok-viral budgeting trend, comes in. According to Nicole Lapin,<\/a> financial expert, author, and host of the Money Rehab<\/a> podcast, \u201csoft saving\u201d shifts away from the strict budgeting plans of yesteryear and leans into something more realistic.<\/p>\n

Instead of putting every penny you earn towards long-term goals, the idea is to set aside some coin to have some fun in the moment. On TikTok, many hardcore trends eventually take on a soft version. See: the 75 hard challenge<\/a> versus the 75 soft<\/a>, which is way less intense. The same idea applies here.<\/p>\n

According to Lapin, it\u2019s all about setting up a savings and spending plan that feels a little more doable. You\u2019ll meet your current needs, plan for future goals, and get to treat yourself along the way. Here\u2019s what to know.<\/p>\n

What Is Soft Saving?<\/p>\n

In practice, soft saving looks like covering your essentials \u2014 rent, bills, groceries, gas \u2014 while making sure some of your hard-earned money goes towards things you can enjoy. \u201cMaybe it is a dinner out, a class you love, or a small monthly treat that keeps you motivated,\u201d Lapin says.<\/p>\n

Along with taking care of your essentials, you\u2019ll also set aside money for the future \u2014 retirement funds, big financial goals, etc. \u2014 but you\u2019ll take a more laidback or \u201csofter\u201d approach, like setting aside 5% of your paycheck versus 20%.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe key is intention,\u201d Lapin says. \u201cSoft saving doesn\u2019t mean spending freely. It means spending consciously.\u201d It\u2019s about avoiding extremes in either direction so you can maintain the all-important work-life balance. Instead of only thinking about the 70-year-old version of you, you remember that it\u2019s just as important to live life right now.<\/p>\n

Why It\u2019s So Popular<\/p>\n

Brasileira\/E+\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Soft saving is so big among millennials and Gen Z because of the effects of inflation and the demographic\u2019s focus on sustainable habits and avoiding burnout.<\/p>\n

\u201cYounger generations have seen the toll that stress and aggressive austerity can take,\u201d Lapin says. \u201cThey watched their parents deal with all-or-nothing rules around money and instead want an approach that supports their day-to-day quality of life and their long-term stability.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also tough to think about retirement when you\u2019re younger, especially when there\u2019s a higher cost of living to consider, as well as economic uncertainty, Lapin says. Add it all up, and it makes sense why it\u2019s more appealing to live for the now.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople are more likely to stay on track when they don\u2019t feel deprived.\u201d<\/p>\n

In many ways, soft saving also helps you get into a savings groove. \u201cPeople are more likely to stay on track when they don\u2019t feel deprived,\u201d she says. Think about how common it is to save and save for months, only to blow it all on a last-minute purchase. \u201cA plan that allows room for fun [along the way] is a plan people can actually follow,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

This approach makes it easier to navigate life\u2019s spendier moments, too, like weddings and holidays. Instead of opting out of these beautiful moments because you\u2019re on a strict, loud budgeting plan<\/a>, it gives you some wiggle room to relax and enjoy. <\/p>\n

How To Start Soft Saving<\/p>\n

alvaro gonzalez\/Moment\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

To start soft saving, Lapin recommends moving money right when you get it. When your paycheck comes in, set up your banking so funds automatically go into an account that covers your essentials, like rent, bills, groceries, and gas. <\/p>\n

\u201cEach year, it\u2019s a good idea to reassess your allocation, too,\u201d says Lapin. \u201cIf you receive a raise or cost-of-living adjustment at work, you should revisit how much you\u2019re allocating to each bucket accordingly.\u201d<\/p>\n

To soft save during pricier moments, like the holidays, Lapin recommends working backwards. Once your essentials are covered, break down what\u2019s left of your paycheck and divide it into weekly amounts, so you know how much you can spend throughout the season. \u201cThe added flexibility allows you to manage your budget while keeping cash on hand,\u201d Lapin says.<\/p>\n

Are There Any Downsides?<\/p>\n

LordHenriVoton\/E+\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

To soft save the right way, don\u2019t get it twisted and think you can spend on anything and everything. According to Lapin, it\u2019s easy for soft saving to turn into lifestyle creep<\/a>, or the tendency to spend more money as you earn more, and it can also shift into overspending if you don\u2019t track your finances.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to note, too, that this trend doesn\u2019t mean you aren\u2019t serious about money or your future. \u201cIt\u2019s actually the opposite,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s a strategy focused on long-term consistency rather than short-term perfection. People who soft save are still planning for their endgame. They\u2019re just doing it in a way they can maintain and enjoy the money they\u2019re earning within reason.\u201d<\/p>\n

Source:<\/p>\n

Nicole Lapin,<\/a> financial expert, author, and host of the Money Rehab<\/a> podcast<\/p>\n

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