General Savings Emergency fund
08.12.2025 By Amy Miller, AFC®

Automate It and Forget It: How Saving Through Your Paycheck Can Make All the Difference

Life happens fast, and often when we least expect it. Whether it’s a surprise medical bill, a flat tire, or an unexpected trip to help a loved one, emergency expenses don’t usually give us a heads-up.

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Workplace

Life happens fast, and often when we least expect it. Whether it’s a surprise medical bill, a flat tire, or an unexpected trip to help a loved one, emergency expenses don’t usually give us a heads-up. That’s why building an emergency fund is one of the best financial moves you can make. And guess what? One of the easiest and most effective ways to build that fund is to automate your savings through your paycheck.

Why Workplace Savings Work

If you’ve ever struggled to save consistently, you’re not alone. It’s easy to intend to set money aside, but life and bills can get in the way. That’s where automation comes in. When you set up direct deposit through your employer, you can have a portion of your paycheck go directly into a savings account every payday, before you even see it.

Think of it as paying your future self first.

When saving becomes automatic, it also becomes habitual. You don’t have to think about it or rely on willpower. Over time, those small, consistent deposits can grow into a safety net you can count on.

What Makes Payroll Savings So Powerful?

  • It’s consistent. You save the same way you earn—regularly.
  • It’s invisible. Money that goes straight to savings is money you’re less likely to miss or spend.
  • It builds discipline. You’re saving on autopilot, without having to make the decision every time.
  • It adds up. Even $5, $10, or $20 a paycheck can grow into hundreds (or thousands) over time.

Don’t Have Direct Deposit? Here’s What to Do:

  1. Talk to your HR department. Most employers allow you to split your paycheck between multiple accounts. You can usually specify a dollar amount or percentage to go into savings.
  2. Open a separate savings account. If you don’t already have one, consider opening a savings account specifically for emergencies. A high-yield savings account is a great option if you want to earn interest.
  3. Start small. Don’t worry about the amount! Just get started. Even $5 per week can build momentum and confidence.

 

Saver Tip: Name Your Account

Many banks and credit unions allow you to nickname your savings accounts. Try naming yours something motivational like “Emergency Fund,” “Rainy Day Backup,” or “Peace of Mind.” A clear goal makes it easier to stay focused and less likely to dip into it for non-emergencies.

Employers Can Help Too

Employers have a powerful role to play in encouraging savings through benefits and payroll options. If you’re an employer, consider:

  • Offering split direct deposit options.
  • Hosting workplace savings campaigns.
  • Sharing tools and resources like America Saves content and participating in America Saves Week
  • Promoting automatic savings during onboarding or open enrollment.

Setting up automatic savings through your paycheck might be the simplest financial decision you’ll ever make—but it can also be the most impactful. Emergencies may be unpredictable, but your savings doesn’t have to be.

Ready to start? Take the America Saves Pledge and commit to saving automatically. Your future self will thank you.

Because saving for emergencies shouldn’t be stressful—it should be automatic.

 

Has Automatic Savings Been a Game-Changer for You?   We want to hear about it!

Whether you set up direct deposit into your savings account, split your paycheck between multiple accounts, or use an app to automatically transfer a little each week, your story can inspire others to take the next step toward financial confidence!

 

Share your Saver Story with us at:

Submit Your Saver Story | America Saves

You could be featured in an upcoming blog, newsletter or social post! (we’ll send you a $50 gift card as a thank you!

 

 

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