Small, automated savings tactics (like round-ups, scheduled transfers, and “save the change” rules) exploit consistent micro-contributions to build meaningful balances over time. Because the transfers are automatic, they avoid the friction of manual saving and make the process near-effortless. When estimating the impact, multiply the average round-up per transaction by the number of transactions per month and then by 12 months. For people with frequent card use, these tiny amounts compound into useful sums for short-term goals or emergency buffers. The question below tests the arithmetic for a common round-up scenario.