The “pay yourself first” strategy is a simple but powerful personal
finance concept that can help you build wealth over time. The basic
idea is to prioritize saving or investing a portion of your income before
you pay your bills or spend money on discretionary items.
Here’s how you can apply the “pay yourself first” strategy:
1.
Determine your savings goal: Start by setting a specific savings goal.
This could be a percentage of your income or a fixed dollar amount.
For example, you might decide to save 10% of your income or $500
per month.
2.
Set up automatic savings: Once you have determined your savings
goal, set up automatic transfers from your checking account to your
savings or investment account. This ensures that the money is saved
before you have a chance to spend it.
3.
Prioritize your savings: Treat your savings like any other bill or
financial obligation. Prioritize your savings goal and make sure you
contribute to it regularly, even if you have to cut back on other
expenses.
4.
Increase your savings over time: As you become more comfortable
with the “pay yourself first” strategy, consider increasing the amount
you save each month. Even small increases can make a big
difference over time.
5.
By prioritizing your savings and automating the process, you can
make progress toward your financial goals without having to
constantly think about it. Over time, the power of compound interest
can help your savings grow, allowing you to build wealth and achieve
your financial goals.
How Do You Pay Yourself First When Cash Is Tight?
Paying yourself first can be challenging when cash is tight, but it’s
even more important in those situations. Here are some strategies
you can use to prioritize savings when money is tight:
1.
Start small: You don’t have to save a large percentage of your
income to start paying yourself first. Even saving a small amount
each month can help you develop the habit of saving and build
momentum over time.
2.
Cut expenses: Look for ways to reduce your expenses so that you
have more money available to save. This might mean canceling
subscriptions, eating out less often, or shopping for deals on
necessities.
3.
Set achievable goals: If you’re struggling to save, it may be because
your savings goals are too lofty. Set realistic goals that you can
achieve and gradually increase them over time.
4.
Use automatic savings: Set up automatic transfers from your
checking account to your savings or investment account. This will
ensure that you save money each month, even if you forget or don’t
have the discipline to do it yourself.
5.
Use windfalls wisely: If you receive a bonus, tax refund, or another windfall, consider using it to jumpstart your savings. You could put a
the portion of the windfall towards paying off debt and then allocating the
rest towards your savings.
6.
Remember that paying yourself first is a habit that takes time to
develop. By starting small, setting achievable goals, and using
automatic savings, you can make progress toward building a
financial safety net even when cash is tight.
You should not make withdrawals when
You should avoid making withdrawals from certain types of accounts
or investments when:
1.
You’re not yet retired: If you withdraw money from your retirement
accounts like 401(k)s or IRAs before you reach retirement age, you
may be subject to penalties and taxes. In addition, you’ll be missing
out on the benefits of compound interest and potential market gains
over time.
2.
You have high-interest debt: If you have credit card debt or other
high-interest debt, it’s generally not a good idea to withdraw money
from your savings or investment accounts to pay it off. The interest
rates on these types of debt are often much higher than the returns
you would earn on your investments, so it’s better to prioritize paying
off the debt first.
3.
You’re not prepared for emergencies: Before making any
withdrawals, make sure you have enough savings set aside for
emergencies. Experts generally recommend having three to six
months’ worth of living expenses saved in a liquid account like a
a savings account or money market fund.
4.
You’re still in the accumulation phase: If you’re still working and
saving for retirement, it’s generally best to avoid making withdrawals
from your retirement accounts. You’ll be missing out on the benefits
of compound interest and potential market gains over time, which can
have a big impact on your retirement savings.
5.
In general, it’s important to have a plan for your savings and
investments that takes into account your goals, risk tolerance, and
time horizon. If you’re unsure whether a withdrawal is a good idea, it
may be helpful to consult with a financial advisor.