Short answer
- The base method: an automatic savings order on payday.
- A separate account and date for each goal; "holiday fund by June" instead of "savings".
- Step-by-step methods (52 weeks, round-ups) lower the barrier to start.
- Keep money according to when you need it: emergency fund accessible, long-term goals earning a return.
12 saving strategies
1. Automatic savings order
Ask your bank for a standing order that moves a set amount to a savings account on payday. This is "pay yourself first" in practice and the base of every other method.
2. A separate account for each goal
Emergency fund, holiday, car, home deposit: open a separate sub-account or savings pot for each. Seeing what the money is for makes it harder to touch.
3. The 52-week method
Save ₺50 in week 1, ₺100 in week 2, ₺150 in week 3, adding ₺50 each week until week 52. At year end you have ₺68,900. If the last weeks (₺2,600) are too hard, run the method in reverse, starting with the largest amount.
4. Round-ups
Round each purchase up to the next ₺10 or ₺50 and move the difference to savings. On a ₺186 grocery bill, ₺14 goes to savings. Some banks offer savings pots that do this automatically.
5. Envelope (category) system
Give each variable spending category a monthly amount. Whatever is left in an envelope at month end does not roll over; it goes to savings.
6. Half of unexpected income
Bonuses, tax refunds, gift money: move at least half of every unexpected inflow straight to savings.
7. Save the installment that just ended
When an installment or loan ends, your budget is already used to paying that amount. Add the same amount to your savings order from the following month.
8. No-spend days
One or two days a week, spend nothing beyond essentials. In the evening, move the estimated amount you saved to savings.
9. Half of every raise
Add half of each salary increase to your savings order. Your lifestyle improves while your savings rate rises too.
10. Negotiate subscriptions and bills
Once a year review internet, mobile, insurance and subscriptions. Send every amount you negotiate down to savings the same month.
11. A visible goal
Keep the goal amount, date and progress somewhere you can see them. Seeing progress is the most important source of motivation.
12. A monthly savings check-in
Ten minutes a month: how far are the goals, how much was saved this month, can the standing order be increased?
In butce.app you can open separate savings accounts and follow them in the same dashboard as your income and expenses.
Try FreeWhere to keep savings
Where the money should sit depends on when you will need it. A general framework:
| Horizon | Purpose | Possible instruments |
|---|---|---|
| Any time | Emergency fund | Current account, daily or short-term deposit |
| Up to 1 year | Holiday, household items, seasonal costs | Term deposit, low-risk funds |
| 1-3 years | Car, home deposit | Term deposit, funds, some gold |
| Over 3 years | Retirement, children's education | Private pension (BES), diversified investments |
Rates to know in 2026
- TRY deposit withholding tax: 17.5% on demand and up-to-6-month deposits, 15% up to 1 year, 10% over 1 year. These rates were extended to 31.12.2026. For net return calculations see deposit interest calculation.
- BES state contribution: Reduced to 20% for contributions made from 01.01.2026 (previously 30%). The annual cap is 20% of the yearly gross minimum wage.
- Inflation: 31.51% annually in August 2026. To protect savings in real terms, returns need to be close to that rate.
Why we fail to save
- Saving is left to whatever remains. There is almost never money left at month end.
- There is no goal. Savings without a purpose break at the first tempting purchase.
- Spending is invisible. Without knowing where money goes you cannot find what to cut; our how to save money guide starts there.
- There is expensive debt. If card interest is higher than the return on savings, pay off the debt first.
- The goal looks too big. Break ₺200,000 into small steps like ₺4,000 a month.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most effective way to save money?
A standing order that moves a set percentage of income to a savings account on payday. The money never mixes with your spending account, so you do not have to decide again every month. Other methods are added on top of this base.
What is the 52-week method?
In week one you save a small amount, in week two twice that, in week three three times, and so on for 52 weeks. Starting at 50 TL a week you have 68,900 TL at the end of the year. Because the last weeks get hard, you can also run it in reverse, starting with the largest amount.
Where should I keep my savings?
Keep your emergency fund somewhere easy to reach, such as a current account or short-term deposit. For goals 1-3 years away, consider term deposits or low-risk funds; for longer goals, the private pension system (BES) or diversified investments. In Turkey the withholding tax on TRY deposits of up to 6 months is 17.5%.
Can I save on a low income?
Yes, in small amounts. Regularity matters more than size. Start with 3-5% of income, keep spending records to find items to cut and raise the rate by one point with every raise.
Sources
butce.app Editör Ekibi
This guide was written by the team behind butce.app, a budgeting app for tracking income, expenses, card installments and loans. Figures were checked against the official sources listed above; the article was last reviewed on .
This content is general information, not investment, tax or legal advice. Rates change, so check the official source before you decide.
