How to automate your finances and save time

By being part of Nationwide ProAccount®, you already benefit from professional retirement account management. Now, we’re offering this members-only guide to help you automate and simplify other parts of your financial life.

Automating your finances means using digital tools to handle routine tasks like tracking spending, paying bills and saving — so you can spend less time managing money and more time living life. Doing this makes smart financial choices automatic and reduces the need for constant decision-making.

Pick one or two strategies that feel doable, then build on them over time. Even small steps can help you create a smoother, lower-stress financial routine.

1. Set up direct deposit

Why it helps: You’ll have funds available sooner and skip trips to the bank if your paycheck goes straight to your checking account (or another account you choose).

Example: If you get paid every other Friday, your take-home pay is automatically deposited into your checking account the same day.

Ask your employer if they offer direct deposit and how to sign up. You may need to fill out a form or log into your HR platform. You’ll need your bank’s routing and account numbers.

2. Invest and save automatically

Why it helps: You build savings consistently and effortlessly when you set up recurring retirement plan contributions and transfers to savings or other investment accounts. This also helps you avoid spending money meant for financial goals.

Examples: Money from your paycheck goes directly into your retirement account before you receive your take-home pay. $25 is transferred from your checking to your savings account each month to grow your emergency fund.

How to do it: Log into your retirement plan account to set up contributions. For other savings and investing, set up recurring transfers from your checking account to an account of your choice.

3. Autopay your bills

Why it helps: You can avoid late fees and missed payments by ensuring your bills are paid automatically on time.

Example: Your phone bill is paid each month without you having to think about it.

How to do it: Log into your utility, credit card, insurance and loan accounts. Look for auto-pay options under billing or payment settings. Choose a payment method and schedule. If you don’t see an auto-pay option, contact customer service. Review your settings periodically to avoid paying incorrect amounts or for canceled services.

4. Set up financial alerts and reminders

Why it helps: Stay informed and catch unexpected transactions quickly with notifications about balances, payments and account activity.

Examples: You get a text alert when your checking account balance drops below $100. Your credit card provider sends an email a week before your bill is due and confirmation once it’s paid.

How to do it: Log into your bank’s app or website to set alerts for low balances and large transactions. Then, access your other financial accounts to turn on notifications for payments due or received.

5. Create digital "buckets" for specific goals

Why it helps: Track progress toward your financial goals by organizing your savings into separate buckets within one savings account. This can help you stay focused and motivated.

Example: You set up labeled buckets within a single savings account for goals like "Emergency Fund" and "New Laptop."

How to do it: See if your bank offers goal-based savings tools (they may be called "buckets," "pods" or "envelopes"). If not, look for a financial app that supports goal-based saving and links to your existing accounts.

6. Use budgeting tools that categorize your spending

Why it helps: Understand where your money goes by using budgeting tools that sort your spending into categories like groceries, transportation and entertainment.

Example: You spend $60 at a grocery store, and your budgeting tool tags it as “Food,” helping you track how much you’re spending on groceries each month.

How to do it: See if your bank offers this feature. If not, search for budgeting apps with automatic categorization and bank syncing.

7. Use calendar blocking and reminders

Why it helps: Build mindful spending habits and reduce impulse purchases when you schedule no-spend days and set reminders to pause before making optional purchases.

Example: You schedule every Tuesday as a "No-Spend Day." On Tuesday mornings, a reminder pops up on your phone or computer: "Today’s a No-Spend Day" or "Pause before non-essential purchases."

How to do it: Use your digital calendar to set recurring events. You can also set up reminders using your phone’s built-in tools or a separate app. To find one that fits your needs, look for calendar or budgeting apps with reminder features. You can also check your bank’s app for alerts or budgeting support.

8. Use round-up savings features

Why it helps: Build savings gradually and effortlessly by using tools that automatically round up your purchases and set aside the difference. These small amounts can add up.

Example: You buy lunch for $7.45, and the total rounds up to $8.00. The extra $0.55 goes directly into your savings.

How to do it: Ask if your bank offers a round-up savings feature. If not, search for financial tools that support round-up or “spare change” savings that link to your accounts.

9. Sign up for paperless delivery

Why it helps: Reduce clutter, stay organized and access your financial documents faster by choosing e-delivery for your retirement plan and other accounts. Getting statements and other account information this way is also more secure than paper mail.

Example: Instead of receiving a printed retirement plan statement in the mail, you get an email when it’s ready and can access it instantly in your account.

How to do it: Log into your retirement, bank, insurance and other accounts and look for options like document delivery preferences or paperless settings. Choose electronic delivery for things like statements, confirmations and notices. You might need to verify your email address or opt in.

10. Automate your annual financial check-in

Why it helps: Reviewing your finances at least once a year helps ensure your goals and account settings still align with your needs. Automating this reminder keeps it from slipping through the cracks.

Example: Every January 15, you get a calendar reminder to review your retirement account.

How to do it: Use your phone or computer’s calendar to set a recurring annual event labeled “Financial Check-In.” Include a list of items to review, such as your budget, savings goals and retirement contributions.

11. Use digital tools to review your spending

Why it helps: Reviewing your spending regularly helps you catch issues early and spot trends. Some tools also highlight areas where you could improve.

Example: A budgeting app sends you a monthly summary showing where your money went and flags unusual charges.

How to do it: Look for budgeting apps or platforms that offer monthly insights or spending summaries such as "Trends," "Insights" or "Spending Breakdown."

12. Automatically organize your receipts

Why it helps: Organizing digital receipts makes it easier to find them for returns, taxes or budgeting. Automating the process saves time and helps you stay on top of your records without manual sorting.

Example: Digital receipts are pulled from your email and sorted into folders labeled "Subscriptions," "Reimbursable" and "Tax-Deductible."

How to do it: When making purchases, choose e-receipts at checkout. Look for an app or email tool that automatically captures and organizes receipts. Many integrate with Gmail or Outlook.

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