{"id":999,"date":"2024-08-23T01:28:55","date_gmt":"2024-08-23T01:28:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sprucemoney.com\/resource-center\/?p=999"},"modified":"2025-03-29T03:27:21","modified_gmt":"2025-03-29T03:27:21","slug":"pay-yourself-first-savings-goal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sprucemoney.com\/resource-center\/savings\/pay-yourself-first-savings-goal\/","title":{"rendered":"Pay yourself first: A smart budgeting approach to reaching savings goals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Do you have the best intentions to save money, but end the month with virtually nothing left? We get it. Saving can be a real struggle \u2014 especially with rising costs on just about everything. Luckily, there\u2019s a saving strategy simple to set up that can position you to get ahead financially. It\u2019s a method called \u201cpay yourself first.\u201d\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"327\" height=\"327\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sprucemoney.com\/resource-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/pay-yourself-first.jpg\" alt=\"Pay Yourself First spelled on a sign board. \" class=\"wp-image-1001\" style=\"width:250px;height:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sprucemoney.com\/resource-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/pay-yourself-first.jpg 327w, https:\/\/www.sprucemoney.com\/resource-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/pay-yourself-first-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sprucemoney.com\/resource-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/pay-yourself-first-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.sprucemoney.com\/resource-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/pay-yourself-first-60x60.jpg 60w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 327px) 100vw, 327px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Read on to learn more about this effective money-saving strategy. It will leave you saying, \u201cI can do this!\u201d\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-does-it-mean-to-pay-yourself-first-nbsp\">What does it mean to pay yourself first?\u202f\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re wondering, \u201cWhat does pay yourself first mean?\u201d, we\u2019ll outline the pay yourself first definition. Essentially, it\u2019s a budget strategy with a spending plan around a specific savings goal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Paying yourself first means you consistently earmark a certain percentage or dollar amount from each paycheck towards a specific goal. Your savings goals can be long-term, like a house, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sprucemoney.com\/resource-center\/spending\/how-much-should-i-spend-on-a-car\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">car<\/a>, or other big-purchase items.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-create-block-hrb-article-cta\" class=\"wp-block-create-block-hrb-article-cta\" style=\"background-color:#005d1f\"><div class=\"hrb-article-cta--image\" style=\"background-image:url(&quot;https:\/\/www.sprucemoney.com\/resource-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/spruce-susan-resized.png&quot;);background-size:contain;background-position:center;background-repeat:no-repeat\"><\/div><div class=\"hrb-article-cta--copy #ffffff\"><h3 class=\"main-heading\">Try the mobile banking app with personalized budgeting tools. Check out Spruce today.&nbsp;<\/h3><div class=\"quick-links-list\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/account.sprucemoney.com\/signup\/\">Get started<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-diy-tiny-text\">Spruce fintech platform is built by H&amp;R Block, which is not a bank. Bank products by Pathward\u00ae, N.A., Member FDIC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why does the pay yourself first strategy work?\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u202f<\/strong>Now that you know what paying yourself first is, let\u2019s dive into why it works. In short, no matter what, paycheck after paycheck, you\u2019re adding to your financial goal. It can add up quickly!\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">It puts money aside no matter what\u202f&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you pay yourself first, you set aside money every month without fail for important things that you want to save for \u2014 rather than aimlessly spending. It\u2019s a tried-and-true method for sticking to a savings plan for people from all walks of life.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u202fIt\u2019s automatic\u202f&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When paying yourself first, you can set up automatic transfers into a separate account so that in future months you\u2019ll be on the fast track to consistent savings.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to pay yourself first\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u202fIf you\u2019re wondering how to pay yourself first, here\u2019s the process in a nutshell:\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Run the numbers\u202f&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Determine your take-home pay \u2013 that\u2019s how much money remains from your paycheck after taxes. Then, jot down each reoccurring monthly living expense you have. (Think grocery bills, rent, utilities, transportation, loan repayments, cell phone\u2026)\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Determine how much you want to pay yourself\u202f&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The next step is to figure out how much to pay yourself each month. So, let\u2019s say you want to set aside $300 a month and your take-home pay is $2,000 a month. You\u2019ll take the $300 out first and plan the rest of your budget around $1,700. Of course, if you can\u2019t pay all your other bills with $1,700, you won\u2019t want to incur penalties or fees for any late or missed payments. If that\u2019s the case, you can look for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sprucemoney.com\/resource-center\/savings\/money-saving-tips\/\">ways to save money<\/a> and reduce expenses first, before reducing your $300 monthly savings goal.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s where many people like the \u201cpay yourself first\u201d approach \u2014 it prioritizes your goal over unnecessary spending.\u202f For example, it may be easier to stomach reducing money spent on your streaming services when you know you\u2019re putting extra dollars towards a down payment on a car instead.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Automate the process\u202f&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are ways to save without even thinking about it. So, playing on the example above, you\u2019d take $300 out of your budget equation each month. Instead of having to remember not to spend that money, you can let automation put the money aside for you. That way you\u2019re less tempted to spend it.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spruce, a new mobile banking app, has a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sprucemoney.com\/saving-goals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">saving goals<\/a> feature that will help you do this. With it you can set personalized goals, start adding money, and track your progress along the way.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Adjust as needed when you have life changes\u202f&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your income and expenses can change at any moment. Luckily, when you pay yourself first, you can change the amount carved out for yourself at any time. This is especially true if you use Spruce\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sprucemoney.com\/saving-goals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">saving goals<\/a>. In a few swipes and taps, you can update your saving goals.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can adjust your saving goals to suit your unique circumstances. If you have a radical life change that impacts your gross income or monthly expenses \u2013 like a new house, baby, marriage, or job \u2013 your numbers and the goals themselves might look a bit different.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s say you get a 5% raise. Considering the new money coming in, you choose to boost your monthly saving goal from $300 to $350 (using the example above). Ideally, you\u2019d bump up your savings around the same time your raise hits, so your budget stays in check.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much should you pay yourself first?\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone has a different number in their bank account \u2013 and that\u2019s fine. The amount you pay yourself depends on your savings target amount, what you\u2019re saving money for, and how much money (or net income) you have to work with.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sprucemoney.com\/resource-center\/savings\/how-much-should-i-save-each-month\/\">How much should I saved each month?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pay yourself first with Spruce\u202f&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As you\u2019ve learned the ways to pay yourself first, know that Spruce is here to help you be good with money.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Find out more about all the amazing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sprucemoney.com\/features\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">money management features<\/a> Spruce has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/account.sprucemoney.com\/signup\/\">Get started with Spruce today<\/a>. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>This information provided for general educational purposes only. It is not intended as specific financial planning advice as everyone\u2019s financial situation is different.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you have the best intentions to save money, but end the month with virtually nothing left? We get it.\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1000,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-999","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-savings"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<title>Pay Yourself First | Spruce\u202f<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn about the pay yourself first budgeting strategy to reach your savings goals from Spruce banking app. Read more!\u202f\u202f\u202f\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sprucemoney.com\/resource-center\/savings\/pay-yourself-first-savings-goal\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" 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