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How to Start a Sinking Fund

Sinking funds are a simple way to save money for out-of-the-ordinary purchases. Read on to see how a sinking fund can improve your zero waste experience!


Back in 2014, I was fortunate to participate in Financial Peace University: a wonderful financial coaching seminar taught by Dave Ramsey. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to gain control of their money or learn better financial practices! 

Partway through the course, we learned about the concept of a “sinking fund,” a technique in which you save a small amount of money each month for a certain amount of time to make your goal. You can learn more about on Dave Ramsey’s blog, right here

It’s no complicated process (honestly, it’s just a structured form of saving) but the concept made a huge difference in the way that I approach saving for purchases outside my typical, monthly budget.

Sinking Fund Example: Saving for a Zero Waste Pantry 

Let’s say, I’m ready to start a Zero Waste pantry but I know the purchase of that many bulk jars will cost me approximately $200, an amount that is outside my normal realm of spending. 

Here are my options:

  1. Skip the project all-together, but keep spending small amounts on traditionally packaged groceries. Cheap short-term; extremely expensive long-term.
  2. Get glass jars and containers secondhand. Honestly, I would recommend this. If you have the local resources to source your containers at a thrift store, do it! You’ll save money and be able to avoid buying new manufacturing. 
  3. Start a small sinking fund. Say, you’d like to save $200 over a period of four months. Divide the goal amount by each month (200/4=50), then save the resulting amount each month till you reach your goal! 
budgeting workstation

The Difference Between Spending & Investing

I used to be an active shopper, if for no other reason than I felt a need to build up my home. Since going zero waste, Josh and I have learned the value in living a more minimalist lifestyle. 

Zero Waste is one of those things that requires us to put the brakes on consumerism. Consumerism breeds greed, which breeds excess, which breeds garbage. It’s really that simple.

However, some purchases make a valuable difference long term – a Zero Waste pantry, for example. Without the tools you need to start shopping bulk, you’ll keep shopping conventionally; so why not make the investment, especially if you can use a sinking fund to save what you need?

Your Homework:

  1. Consider if you’ll need to make any purchases for Zero Waste in the future. They should be necessary purchases that will serve you long-term, but out-of-the-ordinary. 
  2. Do some cost research. Check around the web to see what spending you’ll need to prepare for, assuming you choose to buy new.
  3. Start a sinking fund at home or through a bank account. If you’re saving a relatively small amount, you may be able to pull this off piggy bank style. However, if you’re working with a larger amount, start sending the amounts you need to your savings account then annotate them so you know each dollar’s purpose.

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How to Start a Sinking Fund for your Zero Waste Lifestyle

Stephen

Thursday 12th of January 2017

This was so interesting because I am so absolutely hopeless at saving money, I get to X amount and think woo night out!

Lauren

Friday 13th of January 2017

I'm so glad it was helpful! :)

Jacqui Paterson

Thursday 12th of January 2017

I really admire your commitment to zero waste - I'm getting better around my home and recycle religiously but it shocks me how much waste we produce. I hate the way brands use huge amounts of plastic to wrap tiny items just to make them look bigger; so wasteful! I definitely want to get my finances in better order this year, so need to set up a sinking fund of my own to cover various bits and pieces. x

Lauren

Friday 13th of January 2017

Thank you Jacqui! It's a daily process for sure. So glad to hear you're going to try this!

Kiyshia

Wednesday 11th of January 2017

Im all for saving money and this post has some great tips. Saving money is imperative in this day and age! Its amazing how much you can save once you discipline yourself.

Lauren

Wednesday 11th of January 2017

That is so true!

Rhian Westbury

Tuesday 10th of January 2017

I never knew what a sinking fund was and it makes so much sense to structurally save for larger expenses x

Lauren

Wednesday 11th of January 2017

Right?! It's made such a difference for my husband and I.

Serena

Tuesday 10th of January 2017

This sounds like a good idea, I always try to save money