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Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to save $100,000 in just a few years—without earning a six-figure salary? I’m here to tell you that it is! In this post, I’ll share my personal money story and break down exactly how I was able to save over $100,000 in a little over three years, starting with a modest salary.

I’m sharing these money-saving strategies not just to highlight my own journey but to inspire and empower you to achieve your own financial goals. Whether you’re aiming to hit the $100k milestone or simply looking for ways to save more effectively, I hope my experiences and tips will serve as motivation.

Why my story matters to you

Many people assume that saving six figures requires earning six figures, but that’s not always the case. I started with a $54,000 salary ($40,000 after taxes) and worked my way up. I didn’t come from wealth, didn’t have an inheritance, and didn’t rely on a partner’s income—I did this completely on my own. Through a combination of strategic saving, smart investing, and disciplined spending, I was able to build my savings account beyond what I initially thought possible.

So, if you’ve been wondering:

• How can I save $100,000 in a few years?
• Is it realistic to save $100k on an average income?
• What steps should I take to reach my savings goals?

You’re in the right place. I’ll break down the exact steps I took—including maximizing my income, cutting expenses, investing wisely, and even starting a profitable side hustle—so you can create your own roadmap to financial success.

The beginning of my journey: How I started saving $100k

As mentioned, when I graduated from college, I landed my first full-time job with a starting salary of $54,000—which, after taxes, worked out to about $40,000 per year. At the time, I was just excited to have a steady paycheck. Saving a large amount of money wasn’t something I had initially planned for, but as I started learning more about personal finance, I realized that reaching a six-figure savings goal was possible with the right strategy and discipline.

Just three and a half years later, I had over $100,000 saved. Hitting this significant financial milestone was a game-changer for me—it reinforced the idea that financial independence wasn’t just for high earners. It was about being intentional with my money, making smart decisions, and staying consistent.

What worked in my favor

While I firmly believe that anyone can implement smart saving strategies, I also recognize that I had a few advantages that helped me reach my goal faster:

I was fortunate enough to have no student loans: Thanks to my incredibly hardworking mother (who paid my college tuition in cash), partial scholarships and campus jobs, I graduated debt-free. This allowed me to focus on building savings instead of paying off loans.

I had a good starting salary: Earning $40,000 after taxes was a solid income for a recent college graduate, giving me room to save while still covering my basic expenses.

My salary grew over time: I received a raise, a bonus, and a promotion each year, increasing my salary to $74,000 ($52,000 after taxes) by the end of 3.5 years. While not a six-figure salary, the steady income growth helped accelerate my savings.

What really matters

Even though I had these advantages, what truly made the difference was my commitment to saving and managing my money wisely. I built habits that ensured I saved a significant portion of every paycheck, regardless of how much I was making:

I saved this money entirely on my own. No inheritance, no financial help from a partner, and no windfall.
I was single with no kids and lived on one income. There was no second paycheck contributing to my household.
I did it without earning six figures. A high salary is helpful, but disciplined saving habits matter more.

How I saved $100k in 3 years: My key strategies

Now that you have some background of my financial journey, let’s dive into the specific money-saving strategies that helped me reach $100,000 in savings in just 3.5 years. These are practical, repeatable steps that anyone can apply to their own financial goals.

1. I Contributed to My 401(k) and took full advantage of my employer match

When I first started working, I had no idea what a 401(k) was or why I needed one. All I knew was that my employer was offering free money through a 401(k) match, and I wasn’t about to leave that on the table.

How I maximized my 401(k) contributions

At the time, my employer matched 100% of the first 6% of pre-tax dollars that I contributed. I started contributing immediately and worked my way up to saving ~15% of my salary.

Over 3.5 years, my contributions, combined with employer matching and stock market growth, added up to about $40,000 in my retirement account.

This was also before a major U.S. recession, so the stock market was performing well, and my investments grew over time. Even though I didn’t max out my 401(k), consistently contributing from the beginning made a huge difference.

What you can learn from this strategy

• Start investing as early as possible: Time in the market matters more than timing the market.
• If your employer offers a match, take it: It’s literally free money that helps you build wealth faster.
• Increase your contributions over time: If maxing out isn’t feasible right away, start small and increase by 1% each quarter or every time you get a raise.

Clever Girl Tip: Investing is a key part of saving money for the long term. If you have access to a 401(k), Individual Retirement Account (IRA), or another retirement plan, start contributing as soon as possible—even if it’s just a small amount. Your future self will thank you.

Want to learn more about investing? Check out my book: Learn How Investing Works, Grow Your Money!

2. I kept my expenses low

One of the most important things I did to reach my $100k savings goal was keeping my expenses as low as possible. Many people focus only on increasing their income, but if you don’t control your spending, it doesn’t matter how much you make—you’ll always feel like you don’t have enough.

After taxes, 401(k) contributions, and other deductions, I had to be strategic with how I managed the rest of my income. My main expenses included my used car payment ($150 at first, then $300 when I upgraded my car), car insurance ($80), and my mortgage ($900). By keeping my housing and transportation costs manageable, I freed up more money to save.

For the first six months after college, I lived at home, which helped me build an initial savings cushion. Once I moved into my own place, I continued to keep costs low by being mindful of my spending and avoided lifestyle inflation AKA lifestyle creep. I rarely ate out, my grocery bill was minimal since I wasn’t cooking much, and I didn’t splurge on alcohol or expensive entertainment. Many of my work lunches were reimbursed due to my frequent travel, and I lived close to my office, so gas expenses were low.

I also avoided expensive shopping habits. While I did allow myself some fun money to plan a vacation and to shop occasionally, I didn’t have any costly hobbies or luxury spending habits at that time. My utility bills, internet, and phone expenses were around $170 combined each month, which I considered reasonable.

What you can learn from this strategy

Keeping expenses low is one of the fastest ways to accelerate your savings. Even if you don’t make a high salary, how much you keep matters more than how much you earn. If you can reduce your living costs maintain a standard of living, you’ll have more room to save:

• Consider living with family or getting roommates temporarily if possible to jumpstart your savings.
• Reduce food expenses by meal prepping, cooking at home, and limiting takeout.
• Cut unnecessary subscriptions and negotiate bills like internet and insurance.
• Avoid lifestyle inflation—just because you get a raise doesn’t mean you need to increase your spending.

Clever Girl Tip: If your goal is to save a significant amount of money, reducing expenses should be one of your first areas of focus. Try living close to work to save on commuting costs, pack your lunches, and cut out unnecessary spending (stick to your necessities). Even small savings add up over time and can make a huge difference in your financial progress.

3. I focused on saving 40% to 50% of each paycheck and anything extra

Reducing expenses was just one part of my strategy—what really helped me build savings quickly was committing to saving a large percentage of my income while I was able to. From the very beginning, I aimed to save 40% to 50% of each paycheck, plus any extra money I received.

After taxes, 401(k) contributions, and deductions, my take-home pay during my first year was around $1,350 to $1,400 per paycheck. I made it a goal to put aside $500 to $700 per paycheck into savings. Since I kept my expenses low, this wasn’t difficult to do, and over time, it became a habit.

Beyond my regular savings, I made sure to save all my annual bonuses (which, after taxes, came to about $1,500 in the early years). I also saved a large portion of my tax refunds instead of spending them.

By being consistent, I was able to save around $18,000 per year in cash from my full-time job. By the end of 3.5 years, I had over $50,000 saved in cash savings (in high-yield savings accounts, a lot of which I would later invest), which was a huge part of my $100k milestone.

What you can learn from this strategy

A big savings goal requires an intentional plan to put money aside regularly. It’s not just about cutting expenses—it’s about deciding to save first and then adjusting your spending around that decision.

• Set a specific savings percentage of your income and stick to it.
• Automate savings so the money moves to a separate account before you have a chance to spend it.
• Save unexpected income like bonuses, tax refunds, and cash gifts instead of treating them as extra spending money.
• If you get a raise, increase your savings percentage before adjusting your lifestyle.

Clever Girl Tip: When it comes to how to save $100k, it’s not just about lowering expenses but being proactive about saving. I made saving non-negotiable by setting up automatic transfers into my my high-interest savings account. By treating savings like a bill I had to pay, I never had to rely on willpower alone.

4. I started a side hustle

One of the biggest boosts to my savings was starting a side hustle. While saving from my full-time job helped me build a strong foundation, my side business accelerated my progress and pushed me over the $100k mark.

In my second year of saving, I developed a passion for photography. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a profitable lifestyle and wedding photography business. To get started, I used some of my savings to invest in an entry-level DSLR camera. I spent time studying my craft, doing free shoots to build my portfolio, and learning from more experienced photographers.

As my skills improved, I began booking paid gigs, and within a few months, my business started growing. I networked with photographers who let me second shoot for them, which led to referrals and more paid work.

By the end of my first year, I had earned around $10,000 from my side business. By my second year, that number had jumped to $30,000, and in the following years, I earned even more. While it required hard work and dedication, my side hustle played a key role in reaching my savings goal.

You can check out my book, The Side Hustle Guide, for all my best tips and advice on building a successful side hustle.

What I did with my side hustle money

I used my side hustle income in three key ways:

1. I reinvested in my business: I upgraded my camera gear, lighting, and equipment to increase the quality of my work. I also took online courses to improve my photography and marketing skills.
2. I saved a large portion of my earnings: This extra income allowed me to increase my cash savings and invest more aggressively.
3. I indulged in a few splurges: I won’t lie, I had a handbag obsession for a while! I later sold many of them, but looking back, I know I could have saved even more if I had been more disciplined with my side hustle earnings.

If you want to increase your savings rate, consider starting a side hustle. Earning extra income—even a few hundred dollars a month—can significantly speed up your savings.

• Choose a side hustle that aligns with your skills or interests to keep you motivated.
• Start small, but be consistent—a few hours a week can add up over time.
• Reinvest in your business wisely, but don’t forget to prioritize saving a portion of your earnings.
• Use side hustle income to pay down debt, boost savings, or invest for the long term.

Clever Girl Tip: A side hustle can be a game-changer for your finances, but only if you manage the extra income wisely. Instead of increasing your spending, use your side hustle earnings to fund your financial goals. It can be the key to reaching your savings goals even faster.

5. I spent money on credit but I was smart about it

Even though I was focused on saving, I still used credit cards—but I made sure to do so strategically. Instead of racking up unnecessary debt, I used credit as a tool to build my credit history, earn rewards, and manage expenses responsibly.

One of the key ways I controlled my credit use was by primarily using a charge card rather than a traditional credit card. A charge card, like the American Express Gold, requires you to pay your balance in full every month, preventing me from carrying high-interest debt.

I was required to have a charge card for work-related travel expenses, and I figured, why not get one for myself too? While I did make a few mistakes early on—spending a little more than I should have at times—the charge card helped me develop strong financial discipline because I had to pay it off in full each billing cycle.

How I used credit wisely

1. I avoided carrying a balance: I paid off my charge card in full every month, which helped me build a strong credit history without accumulating interest.
2. I tracked my spending: By reviewing my statements regularly, I ensured I was staying within my budget and not overspending.
3. I used credit for necessary expenses: I charged work-related travel costs and everyday expenses but always had the cash to pay them off immediately.
4. I monitored my credit score: I checked my credit reports regularly to stay on top of my financial health and ensure there were no errors or fraudulent activity.

Using credit doesn’t have to be bad—if used wisely, it can be a helpful financial tool. The key is controlling your spending and making sure you can pay off your balance in full each month.

• Consider using a charge card instead of a traditional credit card to avoid carrying a balance.
• Always pay your credit card in full to avoid interest charges and debt accumulation.
• Monitor your credit score and credit history to ensure accuracy and protect your financial reputation.
• Use credit for strategic purchases—not for lifestyle inflation or impulse spending.

Clever Girl Tip: No matter what kind of credit you use, always stay on top of your credit report—errors and fraud can affect your ability to get loans, rent an apartment, or even get a job.

Expert tip: It’s about what you keep

The biggest factor in reaching a high savings goal isn’t how much you make—it’s how much you keep. Automating savings, keeping expenses low, and making strategic financial choices will help you build wealth faster than you think.

Commonly asked questions about my $100k savings journey

Is it realistic to save $100k in 3 years?

Yes, but it depends on your income, expenses, and commitment to saving. If you maximize your earnings, keep expenses low, and invest strategically, it’s achievable—even without a six-figure salary.

Can you save $100k without a high income?

Absolutely. My story proves that you don’t need to earn a massive salary to save a substantial amount—you just need to be intentional with how you save, spend, and invest. The key is to start where you are, focus on what you can control, and build momentum over time.

I also want to highlight that self-education played a huge role in my success. Reading personal finance books, learning from experts, and understanding basic investing concepts completely changed how I approached money. That’s why I later wrote my own book series, starting with Clever Girl Finance: Ditch Debt, Save Money & Build Real Wealth—the guide I wish I had at the beginning of my journey.

Should I invest or keep my savings in cash?

A mix of both is ideal. Keep an emergency fund in cash but invest the rest in retirement accounts (401k, IRA) or brokerage accounts to grow your money over time.

What’s the biggest mistake people make when trying to save?

Lifestyle inflation—when you increase spending as your income grows instead of saving the extra money. Avoid this trap by prioritizing saving and investing first before adjusting your lifestyle.

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You can save $100,000

These are the exact steps I took to save $100,000 in 3 years, and if I could do it, so can you. While everyone’s financial situation is different, the key takeaway is that saving a significant amount of money is possible with the right mindset, strategy, and consistency.

Even if you’re not in a position to save $100k right now, don’t be discouraged. Maybe you have student loans, credit card debt, or family obligations that make saving difficult. That doesn’t mean you can’t start where you are and work toward a major savings goal over time. Whether you’re saving for a house down payment, financial independence, or just building a solid emergency fund, every single dollar counts.

Remember to:

1. Assess your current financial situation: Take a deep dive into your income, expenses, and debt. Understanding where you stand is the first step to making progress.
2. Set a realistic savings target: If $100k feels overwhelming, start with $10k, then work your way up. Small wins build momentum.
3. Create a saving strategy: Whether it’s cutting expenses, increasing income, or automating savings, make a plan that fits your lifestyle.
4. Stay consistent and patient: Saving money takes time, but staying focused on your goal will lead to real progress.
5. Invest in your financial education: Learning about money management, investing, and wealth-building will help you make smarter decisions.

I know from experience that adjusting your mindset is just as important as the money-saving tactics themselves. Instead of thinking about what you can’t afford or can’t do, shift your focus to what you can control—your spending habits, your income potential, and your long-term goals.