The One Money Move You Haven’t Thought About: Paying Yourself First!!

When it comes to managing your finances, there's one simple yet powerful strategy that many people overlook: paying yourself first. This approach flips traditional budgeting on its head by prioritizing savings before expenses. Instead of waiting to see what's left over at the end of the month, you set aside money for your future goals right off the top.

The concept is straightforward - treat your savings like your most important bill. Just as you wouldn't skip paying rent or your electricity bill, you commit to "paying" your savings account first before spending on anything else. This ensures you're consistently working towards your financial goals, whether that's building an emergency fund, saving for retirement, or working towards a major purchase.

One of the biggest advantages of paying yourself first is that it helps overcome our natural tendency to overspend. When we have money sitting in our checking account, it's all too easy to find ways to use it up. But by moving that money to savings immediately, we remove the temptation to spend it frivolously. Out of sight, out of mind.

Implementing this strategy doesn't have to be complicated. Many people find success with the 80/20 rule - saving 20% of their income and living on the remaining 80%. Of course, the exact percentages can be adjusted based on your individual situation and goals. The key is to pick an amount you can stick with consistently.