4 ways to find more money to invest in your future

Looking to make some changes in the new year? Resolutions like losing weight and getting more sleep can positively impact your future, but so could another one: investing more.

That’s right — this could be the year when you prioritize your financial future. Contributing more today to your retirement and/or brokerage accounts could jumpstart your plan for retirement.

Still, there may not be extra money lying around to invest. If that were the case, you’d probably have done so by now. It’s a chore to find money that’s not already spoken for by your mortgage, insurance, children, and life’s other expenses.

But maybe it’s not as difficult as you think. How could you find extra money to put toward your future?

Let’s say you’re perusing online when an ad for $100 shoes catches your eye. Instead of dropping those into your shopping cart, show some restraint and, instead, put that $100 into one of your accounts.

The thinking is simple: You were about to spend that money anyway on something that — in most cases — is a want, not a need. Put that money to work to help you catch up on your future goals. Once you feel your financial future is in better shape, you can go back to shopping.

Credit card companies are coming out with more attractive cash-back offerings. With that in mind, take those cash-back rewards and divert them to your retirement or brokerage account.

Again, these funds might seem trivial, but it's income you're not likely to miss. And over time, if invested properly, these cash-back rewards can make a difference.

Did you know you could fit 850 pennies in a piggy bank? Set aside a special piggy bank or just an empty jar to put all your spare dollars and coins into over the course of months. Then, when full, go to the bank and deposit that money accordingly.

By working a part-time job on the side, you might be able to direct some of that income to your 401(k), IRA, 403(b), brokerage account, or any account you’re using to save.

You don’t have to make a killing to make a big difference for your future. Investing $150 per month over 20 years’ time could yield more than $73,000*.

As you can tell, none of these funding sources are glamorous or complicated. But inserting one or more of these subtle changes into your routine could make a monumental difference over time. Every little bit counts, and all those little bits could compound over time.

Getting your retirement plan back on track can take some professional help. Learn how a 10-minute Citizens Retirement Checkup^® can help you pave out a clear path to your future.