Appreciation post: I started saving before spending and it changed everything

I used to spend first and save what was left. Now I save a set amount right away and live on the rest.

3 comments

3 Comments

Actually paying your required bills should come before saving. Like if you save first but then can't cover rent or your car payment, you'll just pull money back out. The real move is bills, then savings, then fun money. That way your essentials are always covered no matter what.

drewn291mo ago

Look at both of these plans assuming you have the same paycheck every month. For folks with irregular income, like freelancers or servers, neither method works cleanly. My whole check one week might be fun money, and the next check has to cover everything. The trick is sitting down when a check hits and making a brand new plan for that specific amount, not following a set order. You're basically building your budget from zero each time, which forces hard choices but matches reality.

wadep151mo ago

Nah I totally see where you're coming from but I gotta disagree. Honestly if you wait to save until after bills you'll never actually save anything. Tbh putting money away first forces you to figure out the bills with what's left. If you know the savings are already gone you just spend less on other stuff. It sounds backwards but it works because life always finds a new bill to throw at you. If saving isn't the first thing you do it just doesn't happen.