15 Money Moves That Could Fund Your First Ounce of Gold in 2026
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Many investors look to alternative assets, such as gold, as a way to diversify their portfolios. But you may not want to sell stocks or have the cash reserves necessary to make your first gold purchase.
Addressing small leaks in your spending such as unused subscriptions and putting those savings into gold can help you go from owning no gold to buying your first ounce in 2026.
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10 ways to make room in your budget for gold
Spending leaks include the ongoing costs you pay for products and services that you don’t use or could get for a lower price. Here are some ways you may be able to free up some cash to invest.
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- Bundle cable, streaming and more: Bills for cable television, cell phones, internet and streaming services can add up. Find companies that bundle these offerings so that you can get them all at a lower price.
- Cancel unused subscriptions: Cancelling an unused streaming subscription that costs $10-$20 each month, can amount to $120 to $240 in savings per year. Review your bank statements to identify any recurring costs for products and services you don’t use or could get at a lower cost.
- Save on gas: Apps like GasBuddy can help you find the cheapest gas options, as can taking advantage of loyalty programs.
- Ditch pricey grocery brands: At the grocery store, you can often find store brands for lower costs than big-name brands, but for a lower cost.
- Buy groceries during senior discount days: Some grocery stores offer senior discounts if you shop at certain times.
- Bundle insurance plans: Avoiding duplicate insurance add-ons and bundling your insurance — like home and auto insurance — can potentially help you save.
- Increase your insurance deductible: A higher deductible reduces your monthly premiums and frees up more space in your budget to buy gold. But make sure you aren’t giving up necessary financial protection.
- Use LED bulbs: LED bulbs last longer than regular lightbulbs while burning 75% less energy, according to the Department of Energy.
- Curb impulse spending: Delaying any impulse purchase by a set time frame — like 24 hours or one week, depending on the item — gives you enough time reconsider a potentially unnecessary purchase.
- Request senior utility discounts: You might save hundreds of dollars per year by obtaining senior utility discounts from your provider. Companies may not advertise them, but it’s worth asking.
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Redirecting savings into a gold goal
Small savings add up over time. Freeing up $100 per month to buy gold results in $1,200 per year. While that’s not enough money to buy an ounce of gold, it is enough to invest in a gold exchange-traded fund (ETF). Use these money habits to build your savings faster.
- Pick up a side gig: Side hustles can come with flexible hours and the ability to boost your income.
- Enable automatic investing: Setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to a gold fund ensures the money disappears from your checking account before you have the chance to spend it.
- Invest raises and bonuses: Instead of allowing lifestyle creep when you get a raise or bonus, commit to immediately investing the extra money.
- Make yourself accountable: Finances are personal, but find one person you can share your goals with who can hold you accountable.
- Sell unused clutter: Platforms like eBay make it easy to list unused items for sale and profit. You can put that extra money into gold.
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