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1. Use a Simple Plan to Split Your Paycheck
If you don’t tell your money where to go, it disappears faster than fries at a family dinner.
Creating a simple plan keeps your paycheck organized so every dollar has a job.
Here’s how to break it down:
70% for needs: Rent, groceries, utilities, gas.
20% for savings: Emergency fund, goals, retirement.
10% for fun: Coffee runs, sushi nights, Target strolls. You deserve it.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Grab a notebook and write your own 70/20/10 plan before payday hits.
Make It Easy: Use a clear budget binder or envelope system to physically separate your categories.
2. Pay Your Main Bills Right Away
Don’t wait until the end of the month to pay bills.
You’ll blink, and boom. Netflix, rent, and your electric bill all want attention at once.
Here’s what early payments do for you:
Avoid late fees that eat into your savings.
Lower stress because bills stop piling up mentally.
Build credit history by keeping payments consistent.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: As soon as your paycheck hits, pay essential bills first before spending anything else.
Make It Easy: Use Chime to set autopay and reminders so bills are handled automatically.
3. Move Your Money Right After You Get Paid
Leaving all your cash in checking is asking for temptation.
Split your paycheck the moment it lands, before you start scrolling Amazon “just to look.”
Here’s what this move does:
Protects your savings from impulse buys.
Keeps spending in check by separating money immediately.
Makes budgeting automatic with no extra effort.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Move a set amount to savings and bills accounts as soon as your deposit clears.
Make It Easy: Use a Betterment Cash Reserve Account to automate transfers into savings right after payday.
4. Set Some Money Aside for Emergencies
Life’s full of surprises. And most come with a price tag.
Even a small emergency fund saves you from panic when your car or AC breaks (because, of course, it happens in July).
Here’s how it helps you:
Stops you from using credit cards for surprise expenses.
Gives peace of mind knowing backup money exists.
Prevents payday-to-payday panic every month.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Start with $20–$50 from each paycheck and let it grow steadily over time.
Make It Easy: Open a Betterment Cash Reserve Account to stash your emergency fund automatically.
5. Put Some Cash Into Retirement Savings
Your future self will either thank you or roast you for what you do today.
Even small deposits add up fast when you’re consistent.
Here’s why it matters:
Compounding growth multiplies small contributions into real wealth.
Early investing means you can contribute less later.
Automatic deposits make it effortless and stress-free.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set up a recurring transfer of 5–10% of your paycheck into a retirement account.
Make It Easy: Open a Boldin retirement account to track your retirement’s investments and how that fund grows.
6. Use Two Accounts: One for Bills, One for Spending
Mixing your bill money with your fun money is like mixing laundry. Something always gets ruined.
Two accounts keep your spending in check and your bills safe.
Here’s what makes it work:
You know what’s safe to spend because your bill money’s untouchable.
You avoid overdrafts since your rent isn’t mixed with Starbucks runs.
You stay organized and never “accidentally” spend the electric bill.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Open a second checking account and route your direct deposit between “bills” and “spending.”
Make It Easy: Try Chime for an easy two-account setup that tracks spending automatically.
7. Keep a Little Money for Fun
If your budget feels like punishment, you’ll rebel faster than a teenager told to clean their room.
Leaving room for fun keeps your finances. And sanity.Balanced.
Here’s why it matters:
You’ll actually stick to your plan instead of quitting halfway through.
You spend guilt-free because it’s part of your budget.
You stay motivated by enjoying life along the way.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Give yourself $20–$40 each week to spend on whatever makes you smile.
Make It Easy: Use a cute mini envelope or pouch to hold your weekly fun cash.
8. Track What You Spend for a Few Days
Want a reality check? Watch your spending for three days straight.
You’ll quickly find out where your “extra” cash keeps sneaking off to.
Here’s what you’ll notice:
Tiny daily splurges add up to hundreds a month.
You’ll catch habits that quietly drain your savings.
Awareness alone helps you spend with more intention.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Write down every purchase. Yes, even the $3 coffee. For three full days.
Make It Easy: Keep a small pocket notebook or sticky pad to jot expenses instantly.
9. Give Yourself Credit for Sticking to the Plan
You’re doing better than you think. Seriously.
Celebrating small wins keeps you motivated to keep building good habits.
Here’s why this matters:
You’ll feel proud, not deprived, about saving money.
It builds consistency, turning effort into habit.
Rewarding progress helps you stay excited for the next goal.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Each payday, list three money wins you crushed this month and reward yourself with something small.
Make It Easy: Use a dry-erase board to write your weekly financial wins somewhere visible.
10. Avoid Big Purchases Right After Payday
Post-payday excitement is real. But your budget doesn’t have to be its first victim.
Waiting a few days before splurging saves you from regret (and buyer’s remorse).
Here’s what waiting does for you:
You’ll avoid impulse buys that drain your account.
You’ll spot real priorities after the initial excitement fades.
You’ll stay consistent, keeping your savings intact.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Before buying anything over $100, wait 48 hours to decide if it’s still worth it.
Make It Easy: Keep a “wait list” notepad on your fridge for big purchases you want to think about.
Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: stretching a dollar and talking about stretching a dollar. I created Money Vice after one too many grocery trips where I watched my total climb and thought, "There's gotta be a better way." Spoiler: there is. Think of me as your money-savvy friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand).
