How to Save Money Before You Start Earning from KDP

If you’ve been reading my other blogs, you’re probably feeling excited about making some extra income — maybe through Amazon KDP, Etsy, or another creative side hustle. That’s great. It’s really exciting to finally see ways to earn from something you enjoy. But before you rush to publish your first puzzle book or start spending on design tools and ads, let’s talk about something just as important: saving money first.

I know saving isn’t as flashy as “passive income” or “earning while you sleep,” but it’s the foundation that helps you actually keep the money you earn. When you get into the habit of saving early, you get more freedom, more options, and a lot less stress later on. In this post, I’ll walk you through a few down-to-earth ways to save money before you start building your side hustle. Nothing complicated — just realistic tips you can use today.

1. Use Cashback Apps — They Really Work

Let’s start with something super easy: cashback apps. If you haven’t tried them yet, cashback apps give you money back when you shop. You buy something through the app or via its link, and a small percentage of your spending gets returned to you. Simple as that.

In the UK, TopCashback, Quidco, and Shopmium are the big ones. They all work similarly — you shop through their links and earn cashback. Sometimes it’s a few pence, sometimes a few pounds, depending on what you buy. It doesn’t change what you buy, only how you buy it.

Those little amounts add up. A few pounds here and there could cover a Canva Pro month, a test print, or a small design pack. The best part is that it’s mostly passive — once you remember to use the link, the cashback comes back to you. Quick tip: always check if a retailer is listed on your cashback app before you buy.

Extra huge tip: if you use this link you can get a free £10 once you earn £10 worth of cashback. Get £10 free with TopCashback.

2. Don’t Let Your Money Sit — Make It Earn for You

A lot of people leave spare money in a regular current account where it earns almost nothing. Instead, move spare cash into a high-interest savings account and let the interest work for you. Even small amounts start adding up thanks to compound interest.

For example, £200 at 5% AER becomes £210 after a year without any effort. That’s real passive growth. In the UK you can look at options like Chase Saver, Monzo Instant Access savings, or promotional offers like Nationwide FlexDirect. Rates change, so compare what’s available and pick an account that suits you.

If you struggle to save regularly, try automatic saving apps such as Plum or Chip. They can round up your purchases or move small amounts into a savings pot on autopilot. It’s a nearly effortless way to build a habit, and the money will be there when you need to cover KDP costs or buy supplies. This is one of the easiest and it's one of my favourite too!

3. Make a Small Budget (and Actually Use It)

Budgeting doesn’t have to be strict or boring — think of it as a simple plan so your money does what you want. When you’re starting a side hustle, it’s easy to lose track of little purchases: a logo here, a font there, a mockup generator subscription. Those small costs add up fast.

Try setting a tiny weekly or monthly budget for creative expenses — even £10 or £20 a week can work. Write down your income and decide how much you’ll put toward tools, supplies, and savings. Seeing the numbers makes you more aware, and awareness helps you avoid wasteful spending.

If you like apps, tools like Notion, Google Sheets, or Emma are great for tracking. Use whatever feels easy — the goal is consistency, not perfection.

4. Use Free Tools Before Paying for Anything

This one matters a lot: don’t buy tools until you actually need them. A lot of websites have free plans that are perfectly fine when you’re starting out. Canva’s free plan is great for covers. WordGenFree can generate puzzles without cost. Google Docs and LibreOffice work for writing and formatting.

Start with free tools, learn your workflow, then upgrade only when you’re sure it’ll help your business. Upgrading too early is an easy way to waste money. Also check for student discounts and free trials before you subscribe to anything — many services offer them but don’t shout about it.

5. Avoid Impulse Spending — Use the 48-Hour Rule

Impulse buying is a big enemy of saving. It’s easy to see a tool or course and think you need it immediately. A simple trick I use is the 48-hour rule: wait two days before buying anything that’s not essential. Most of the time the urge passes and you realise you don’t actually need it.

If you still want it after 48 hours and it fits your budget, go for it. Usually, though, that little delay saves a surprising amount of money — money that could go toward printing proofs or cover design when you really need it.

6. Track Your Progress — It Helps You Keep Going

Saving can feel slow, but tracking progress makes it motivating. Use a simple spreadsheet, a notebook, or a free app like Money Dashboard or Snoop to watch your balance grow. Even small wins — saving £10 or earning £5 cashback — are worth celebrating.

Set small, realistic targets: save £50 for design tools, build a £100 emergency fund, or reach £200 in saved interest and cashback. Hitting each target feels good and keeps you focused.

7. Saving and Earning Go Hand in Hand

When you’ve built saving habits, earning becomes less stressful. If your first KDP royalties or Etsy sales arrive, you won’t feel the pressure to spend them all right away. Try a simple rule: reinvest half, save half. Put 50% back into your business to grow it, and keep the rest in your high-interest account. Over time you’ll have both a stronger business and a growing savings balance.

Diversifying your approach — saving a little, using cashback, and reinvesting earnings — creates stability. That makes it easier to take small risks that help your project grow without risking your day-to-day money.

Final Thoughts

Before you start earning from KDP or any other side hustle, get into the habit of saving first. Use cashback apps whenever you shop. Move spare funds into accounts that actually earn interest. Stick to a small budget, make the most of free tools, and avoid impulse purchases. These habits protect your money and set you up for long-term success.

You don’t have to be rich to start saving — you just have to start. Every pound you keep brings you closer to your goals. Building good financial habits now means you’ll be ready not just to make money, but to manage it wisely when it comes in. That’s the real secret to long-term success.