Figure out what your actual essential costs are: housing, food, transportation. Make sure that’s covered, then set a reasonable savings goal, and only spend on extra with any money left after that per month.
When I got my first decent job, I basically lived like I was still in a dorm for the next 4 years. Saved a big percentage of my income. That was 12 years ago. My percentage has fallen a little since then but I think outing of life style creep and creating those good savings habits early helps. Then compounding doors the rest.
“Pay yourself, first”.
Figure out what your actual essential costs are: housing, food, transportation. Make sure that’s covered, then set a reasonable savings goal, and only spend on extra with any money left after that per month.
When I got my first decent job, I basically lived like I was still in a dorm for the next 4 years. Saved a big percentage of my income. That was 12 years ago. My percentage has fallen a little since then but I think outing of life style creep and creating those good savings habits early helps. Then compounding doors the rest.
To be clear you cannot budget yourself out of a job that is paycheck to paycheck…
You got “ahead” because you got a job that paid enough to save period.
Sure. But many people who think they’re paycheck to paycheck are only that way to lack of proper budgeting.
Like you can be “p2p” making minimum wage, or six figures.
Alternately, crimes can sometimes help make up the difference.
Sometimes your job is crime and it still ain’t pay enough for savings.
Just ask my drug dealer. Times is tough for everyone out there.