Do you save first or save what's left?

rosskayla

rosskayla

Member
Messages
95
Reaction score
23
Some people save first thing when they get paid, while others just save whatever's left after expenses. Which approach works better for you, and why?
 
I've found that saving first thing works best for me-setting up an automatic transfer right after payday means I never see that money in my checking account, so I'm less tempted to spend it. Do you usually automate your savings, or handle it maunally at the end of the month?
 
Saving right after receiving my salary is my way of controlling my spending, to prevent any risks that may arise. I plan my spending for each category at the beginning of each month, to make sure that no expense goes over budget. Of course, there will be times when my planned expenses exceed due to unforeseen circumstances, but I never go beyond my tolerance limit, because I always prepare for any incident that may come. What do you think about planning and spending later?
 
for me, the "pay yourself first" approach works best. setting aside savings as soon as income comes in, instead of crossing my fingers that something's left at the end. otherwise, it just vanishes. how about you? do you stick with saving first, or do you go with the "save what's left" method?
 
3nhan said:
Saving right after receiving my salary is my way of controlling my spending, to prevent any risks that may arise. I plan my spending for each category at the beginning of each month, to make sure that no expense goes over budget. Of course, there will be times when my planned expenses exceed due to unforeseen circumstances, but I never go beyond my tolerance limit, because I always prepare for any incident that may come. What do you think about planning and spending later?
Click to expand...
That's a really smart approach - saving first and planning your spending around what's left is one of the best ways to stay disciplined. It's like paynig yourself first before anything else. I agree that unexpected expenses are bound to happen, but the fact that you've already built in some flexibility shows solid foresight. Personally, I think planning first makes spending feel more intentional - you know exactly where your money's going instead of wondering where it went. Do you use any specific method for planning, like zero-based budgeting or just setting rough limits for each category?
 
I definitely try to save first! it's the only way I've found to stay consistent. As soon as I get paid, I move a set amount to my savings before touching anything else. If I wait until the end of the month, there's usually nothing left to save . Treating savings like a non-negotiable "bill" makes it feel automatic.
How about you? Do you prefer saving first too, or do you adjust based on how your month goes?
 
I try to save first. I treat it like a non-negotiable bill that comes out as soon as I get paid. That way, I'm not relying on whatever's left over at the end of the month, which usually disappears fast if I wait. Automating transfers to a savings account has made it much easier to stick to this habit.
 
I've learned the hard way that saving whatever's left rarely works, there's usually nothing left! LOL! So now I treat savings like a bill and move it out as soon as my paycheck hits. I use apps like Revolut to automatically transfer a set amount into a "savings vault," which helps me not even think about it. It's crazy how much easier it gets once you make it automatic.
 
For me, saving first works way better. I used to wait until after paying bills and spending, but honestly, there was never much left to save. Now I automaticallym ove a portion of my paycheck into a separate account using an app like Revolut or Monzo-it's out of sight, out of mind. It makes saving feel effortless, and I don't have to rely on willpower at the end of the month.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top