Saving money used to feel impossible. Between rent, groceries, bills and just trying to live a little, it felt like there was never anything left over.
The idea of saving $10,000 in one year felt totally unrealistic, especially with my small salary.
But guess what? I did it. I managed to save 10k fast, in just one year, without picking up a second job or living on ramen.
And I didn’t do it with some get-rich-quick scheme. I did it with three things: a better mindset, a simple system and the right guidance from three powerful books.
Let me break it all down and show you how you can do it, too, even on a modest income.
I didn’t pick this number at random. I wanted to:
• Build an emergency fund
• Pay off some lingering debt
• Feel confident that I wasn’t one flat tire away from disaster
But most importantly, I wanted proof that I could take control of my money. Saving USD10k fast became my personal challenge and it completely shifted my relationship with money.
Yes... Even on a Small Salary, You Can Save 10k Fast
Before we dive into what worked, let me be clear:
You don’t need a six-figure income to save $10,000 a year.
To save 10k fast in one year, here’s the breakdown:
• $833/month
• ~$192/week
• ~$27/day
When you look at it that way, it’s not about making huge leaps. It’s about small, consistent moves. I didn’t cut out every coffee or live in the dark to save electricity. I just got strategic. And the three books below helped me create a plan that worked.
1. You Need a Budget by Jesse Mecham
“Available on Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover and Audible — choose the format that fits your lifestyle.”
“Forget future money, use today’s money to write your future.” Highlighted by 1,411 Kindle readers
This book didn’t just change my budget, it changed my entire mindset.
Jesse Mecham’s You Need a Budget is a simple, powerful guide to finally feeling in control of your money. Instead of overwhelming you with restrictions or guilt, it gives you four clear rules that make budgeting feel doable.
The biggest game-changer for me?
Give Every Dollar a Job. That single concept forced me to stop letting money “disappear” into random spending. Instead, every paycheck became a plan.
I also learned to:
• Plan ahead for irregular expenses (like car repairs or holiday gifts)
• Adjust my budget as life shifted
• Stretch my income to cover what matters most
I didn’t just track spending, I told my money what to do before I spent it. That shift helped me save 10k fast, even when my salary didn’t increase.
2. Get the Hell Out of Debt by Erin Skye Kelly
“Available on Kindle, Paperback and Audible — choose the format that fits your lifestyle.”
Let me be honest, debt was draining my ability to save. I was making minimum payments and feeling stuck. Then I found this book.
Erin Skye Kelly’s Get the Hell Out of Debt is a refreshingly honest, no-fluff guide to breaking free from consumer debt.
What makes it so powerful is that it’s based on her own story, she’s been there, done that and built her way out.
Her 3-phase system focuses on:
• Shifting your mindset about debt
• Creating a practical plan for repayment
• Redirecting money into savings
This wasn’t about paying off debt at the expense of everything else. It was about balancing both and that’s how I started saving while still making progress on my loans.
Her voice is relatable, funny and direct. Reading her book felt like getting a pep talk from a money-smart best friend who won’t let you give up. That motivation helped me stay on track and inch closer to my goal every month. Thanks to her advice, I built momentum while paying off debt and I was still able to save 10k fast, one small win at a time.
3. Rich AF by Vivian Tu
“Available on Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover and Audible — choose the format that fits your lifestyle.”
Great On Kindle: A high quality digital reading experience.
“You can only save as much as you earn . . . but you can always earn more.” Highlighted by 1,047 Kindle readers
Vivian Tu, aka Your Rich BFF, is known for her TikToks, but her book takes her advice to a whole new level.
Rich AF is a bold, no-BS guide to money that helps you think bigger, act smarter and finally feel confident about building wealth.
This book taught me:
• How to choose the right savings account (hello, high-yield!)
• How to automate my savings so I don’t “forget”
• Why mindset is just as important as math
Her tone is empowering, not preachy. She makes finance feel less scary and more like a game you can win, even if you’re starting late or starting over.
One of her tips helped me set up weekly auto-deposits into a separate savings account. That one habit alone helped me save over $1,500 in a few months, money I used to spend without even noticing.
How These 3 Books Helped Me Save 10k Fast
Each of these books gave me a piece of the puzzle:
• Jesse gave me structure
• Erin gave me clarity
• Vivian gave me belief
Together, they helped me create a system that made it actually possible to save 10k fast, one paycheck at a time. I didn’t have to hustle harder, I just had to be more intentional.
The Habits That Made It Happen
Here are the 5 habits I adopted that truly worked:
1. Automated Savings
Weekly transfers to a high-yield savings account made it painless.
2. Monthly Budget Check-ins
I sat down every month for 30 minutes to realign.
3. Sinking Funds for Big Expenses
Birthdays, travel and car repairs stopped surprising me.
4. Redirecting Debt Payments Into Savings
When I paid off a card, I kept “paying” that amount into savings.
5. Mindset Shifts
I stopped believing I “wasn’t good with money.” I became someone who saves.
Quick Recap: The 3 Things That Helped Me Save USD10k
| Tool | Why It Helped Me Save 10k Fast | Link |
|---|---|---|
| You Need a Budget | Gave me a clear, guilt-free system | |
| Get the Hell Out of Debt | Helped me balance debt and savings | |
| Rich AF | Taught me to automate and think rich | |
Final Thoughts
If you’re wondering whether it’s really possible to save 10k fast in one year, let me be the proof.
You don’t need a high income. You don’t need to live on scraps.
You just need a system that works and the right mindset to stick with it.
These three books didn’t just inspire me, they equipped me.
I saved more than I ever thought I could and I did it on my terms. If you’re just getting started, trust me: this is a challenge worth taking.
So… what’s stopping you?
What’s Next?
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