diff --git a/save.py b/save.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0472aa2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/save.py
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+
+import yaml
+from pathlib import Path
+
+## create save file if it doesn't exist
+def create_save_file():
+    path_to_file = 'save.yaml'
+    path = Path(path_to_file)
+    if path.is_file():
+        print(f'The file {path_to_file} exists, reading file')
+        f = open('save.yaml', 'r')
+        f.close()
+    else:
+        print(f'The file {path_to_file} does not exist, creating file')
+        f = open('save.yaml', 'x')
+        print(path)
+        f.close()
+
+create_save_file()
+
+# write to file example
+def write_save_file():
+    prime_numbers = """
+    - 2
+    - 3
+    - 5
+    - 7
+    - 11
+    - 13
+    - 17
+    - 19
+    """
+
+    primes = yaml.safe_load(prime_numbers)
+    with open('save.yaml', 'w') as file:
+        yaml.dump(primes, file)
+    # print for debugging
+    print(open('save.yaml').read())
+    file.close()
+
+write_save_file()
+
+# open file, read, save contents to variable
+def open_save_file():
+    with open('save.yaml', 'r') as file:
+        save_file = yaml.safe_load(file)
+    # print for debugging
+    print(open('save.yaml').read())
+    # close file
+    file.close()
+
+open_save_file()