Dad told me to save 10% of every paycheck no matter what and I ignored him for 15 years

After I got laid off from a framing crew in Phoenix with zero savings and had to borrow $800 from my sister to cover rent, I finally realized that old man was right and now I automate the transfer the day before payday so I never see the money at all - what specific percentage do you guys lock away?

3 comments

3 Comments

wyatt_green311mo ago

Honestly, I gotta push back on that 3% idea a bit. The problem with starting that low is you're basically training your brain to think saving is optional and tiny, when the real habit is just never seeing the cash in the first place. Ngl, going straight to 10% automated hurt for one paycheck, but after that your lifestyle adjusted and you never missed it.

kai_butler832mo ago

3% seems low man. If you're already used to blowing your whole check, what's another 7% gonna hurt but save you from borrowing from your sister again later?

tessa_clark742mo ago

Damn, that's the real gut punch right there. Having to swallow your pride and ask family for rent money changes everything. Here's a twist nobody mentions: you're better off automating a tiny amount at first, like 3%, to train your brain that the money doesn't exist. Then bump it up 1% every three months until you hit your goal. Less painful than going cold turkey on 10%.