How 'pay yourself first' strategy to build lasting savings
31 May 2025

The "pay yourself first" strategy is a simple yet effective way to save money.

You set aside a part of your income for savings before paying other expenses.

This way, you prioritize your financial goals and build a solid savings habit over time.

By consistently applying this strategy, you can enhance your financial security and work toward long-term objectives without feeling the pinch of reduced disposable income.

Set a fixed savings percentage
Tip #1

Decide on a specific percentage of your paycheck to put into savings every month.

Common recommendations are 10% to 20% of your income, but even smaller numbers can make a difference over time.

By committing to this fixed percentage, you create consistency in your savings habit.

It makes it easy to track progress and adjust as needed based on changes in income or financial goals.

Automate your savings
Tip #2

Automating the transfer of funds from checking to savings accounts makes sure that saving becomes an effortless part of managing finances.

Schedule automatic transfers on payday, so that the amount set aside is moved immediately into savings, before other expenses come into the picture.

This minimizes the temptation to spend money reserved for saving and helps keep discipline to the "pay yourself first" principle.

Prioritize emergency fund building
Tip #3

One of the most important things about paying yourself first is to set up an emergency fund.

Try getting three to six months' worth of living expenses saved up as a cushion against unforeseen circumstances such as medical emergencies or job loss.

This fund, when prioritized, gives peace of mind and saves you from falling back on credit cards or loans when life happens, thereby aiding long-term financial stability.

Adjust savings goals over time
Tip #4

As your finances change, don't forget to review and revise your savings goals.

Salary hikes or reduced expenses give room to increase the percentage you contribute to savings without having a drastic effect on your lifestyle.

Revisiting them regularly ensures you're on the same page with what's important to you and grows your finances over time by making adjustments according to your situation.