Automate.
Automate.
Automate.
DO NOT put it off.
DO NOT rely on yourself to “start saving next week.”
“Next week” will never happen.
What will happen is you’ll just kick yourself...and that’s no fun.
NEXT!
Do this today:
Log into your payroll system
Change your settings so X% of your paycheck goes to a pre-tax investment vehicle (ie. your 401k). Make this amount meaningful.
Split the remainder of your paycheck so that Y% goes to one bank account for expenses (rent, netflix, etc.) and Z% goes to another bank account for savings/investments (high yield savings, robinhood, etc.). I personally prefer to have my 2nd bank account at another bank entirely so that I know “Bank X” is for spending money, “Bank Y” is for savings/investment only. Do whatever works best for you.
Bonus of this approach: No need to budget anymore! The saving is done without you thinking, allowing you to spend your time where it should be spent...making more money (not freaking out over the cost of a latte) and living a great life (not fiddling with your budget app).
I could go into blah blah blah about motivation and whatever but I’m not going to...instead just picture this as your future:
Option 1: Retiring by a lake.
Option 2: Eating cat food.
You know what you want...now go make the change!